Surgery

Well since I've been sick all semester (and still managed to get A's even though I wasn't there half the time), I came home and went to the doctor's. I had a HIDA scan. Which basically they injected me with stuff and for 1 hr I laid very still why the machine took pics of my gallbladder filling up. Then 30mins they watched how it would empty and test it like I had just eaten a heavy meal. I read all these things that said it was going to be painful because it causes a gallbladder attack. And those are so painful and make me cry sometimes. But it didn't hurt, thankfully.

So they got my results back and they said they needed to proceed with the operation. So Christmas Eve I spent it in the hospital. I was super nervous, but my Dad gave me a blessing. I get super nausea and I don't do well getting put to sleep. My aunt came in on her day off to play nurse and help me through everything. It was so nice of her. Oh the day before I had to drink some Mag citrate. Nasty. I chugged it. It tastes like salt and then it helps clean you out. SO nasty! I don't ever recommend it. 

I got a sedative to calm me down and made me feel happy and relax. They put stockings on my legs to help prevent blood clots and a machine that massages my legs. Then I went into the OR and they put a mask over me and before I knew it I was getting tapped on the head to wake up. Everything went well. I was very alert and awake after, I just saw like double of everything. It was amazing. I've been sick for so long I forgot what it felt like to feel normal and healthy.  I thought I could get up and dance except for the stitches. I have three cuts on my stomach. The belly button cut hurts the most. I had just barely gotten over a bad cold and cough so I was still hacking when I woke up. Plus they put a tube down my throat. So when I woke up I had to cough and have a breathing treatment. It felt good to cough so much and get everything out. Plus they gave me steroids and nausea medicine. I felt awesome. 

They gave me pics of my gallbladder which didn't have sludge balls ( like silly Utah doctors said I had), I had gallstones. There is no such thing as sludge balls. Then I had these chlosteriosis on my gallbladder. My doctor said it really needed to come out. They also showed me my appendix, ovaries, and uterus which are all very healthy. 

Nasty looking right??!

I stayed in that recovery section for like 30-45 mins. I listened to everyone else and the funny things they said. Then I got moved to a room where my parents could come in and see me. I got a diet coke (which tasted so good after not having to drink anything and had such a sore throat. Then I tried crackers which made me sick. I was so hungry though. And I kept falling asleep in the middle of everything. Funny. 

I've been on drugs which gave me an allergic reaction and I am waiting for some different medicine. Otherwise, I've been eating real food again and kind of loopy and super sore. I have been trying to take it easy and relax. But I like I said, I go home Sunday and don't have much time to do everything like recover and see people. And I can't lift anything over 40 pounds for 6 weeks, like my niece and suitcases. Interesting for sure. Merry Christmas to me. No gallbladder anymore! 

xoxo

Christmas Time

I came home for Christmas. It has been so wonderful. Unfortunately, I have to go back in a few days. Lame. I need more time. I haven't had enough time to see everyone or do everything. 

Here's some pics from the lights around Salt Lake and Tempe Square. Pretty! I love Christmas lights! 

And it's been snowing:

(my view from school in one of my classrooms)

Since it snowed, I of course had to make snow cream! YUM

These are on my flight home to GA:

Chick Fil A has my favorite soup out again. Tortilla. Oh so good.

And Merry Christmas to myself, I bought a soda stream and it's so wonderful. Now I can have sparkling grapefruit water. Sweetness! 

xoxo

What's been happening?

So I know months have gone by. MONTHS! I wanted to get pictures, then school started, then work, etc. This got put on the back burner, which isn't a happy place to be! Soooo what's been happening?

My apartment:

I didn't get a picture of my bedroom, strange. But it's cute too. Anyways, my apartment is absolutely adorable, and has become quite homey. Living by myself has been the best decision ever! I love it. I also like to have visitors...so come visit ;)

My craft projects:

I made my own coasters out of tile and paris napkins. Cuteness right?

I also bought glass jars from DI and stained them. Also love. They are pretty in the window.

Church:

The first time I went to my new ward, I totally thought it was a Catholic church. It's very historic and has some interesting aritecture designs. It's a decent ward. Just doesn't have enough singles and people my age. It is a family ward, so I what do you expect?     

Work:

New $100 bill. Pretty huh? Ha. Most people say it looks like it was designed with Microsoft Word.

I also dressed up for Halloween. Cleopatra:

Doing my makeup was super fun! 

Niece/Nephews:

Zarahemla is going to be a big sister to a baby boy!! He's due in March. I am thrilled to be an aunt again. 

These cute boys live close to me and I love when I get the opportunity to spend some time with them. We went trick or treating together. They were adorable.

Sickness:

I've also been sick for like a month now. I've gone to the doctor on several occasions for tests to figure out what exactly is going on. So because of this random illness I have missed all of my classes numerous times and I'm starting to think the teachers don't believe me anymore. So prayers we can figure it all out soon. And if I have to surgery, hopefully we can find a temporary relief until I can go home in December. 

Other Happenings: 

I bought a Macbook. Totally worth it. I really love it. It takes some adjusting but I am learning, very slowly. 

I met Mitt and Ann Romney at Deseret Book. They signed their new family cookbook for me.

I also tried making Ann's cookies...apparently these cookies are for an army. So many cookies. 

xoxo