9 lives...

Hi friends!

Just taking a minute to check in.

Don't be confused by my cheerfulness, I'm currently on the strongest IV narcotic they make.

I love that stuff.

I want to marry it.

I have been here at our local hospital since Thursday.  I'm one step down from ICU at PICU.

I've had sepsis- a severe blood infection.

This was caused by a super infected kidney.

Regular kidney = tennis ball.

Super Infected kidney = small football.

Ureter = tube that connects kidney to bladder.

My left ureter was very enlarged on the top half and the CT scan did not show the bottom half.

Regular = smaller than an IV line bigger than floss

Very enlarged = the size of a thumb.

A miraculous surgery was able to insert a stent into my ureter and open the passage way.  

Stent = a small straw

As they opened the passage way-- infection like toothpaste oozed out of my kidney.  Infected, nasty, toothpaste puss followed by lots of infection.  Blah.

If they had been unable to open that ureter, I would have had to have had a drain inserted in my kidney from my back until I was we'll enough for additional surgeries.

When I woke up from my surgery and they told me the stent worked, I cried.  My urologist cried too.

My kidney was very, very infected and I've been very sick - I'm still pretty sick.

I was nervous about being here and not up in Portland, especially for my surgery.

As the urologist was explaining the procedure, I had a distinct impression that I was here for a reason.  I knew I could trust this doctor.

I think I broke a pretty big mirror this year- or accidentally ran over a black cat.

One night I had a full body allergic reaction, and my IV pole fell over my head pinning me in bed.  Ha.  Luckily my cute, boy nurse heard my yells for help and rescued me.

Man oh man-- I feel like I've had the flu times 100.  Not pain, unless you touch me, but overall yuck.  Even on major drugs I'm only sleeping and going potty. No showers, barely any phone conversations, etc.. Occasionally, I'm witty enough to joke with the staff here.  I'm having a hard time eating anything.  I think 103 is my new 98.7

Doctors aren't too concerned because my body needs a few days to fight that serious of an infection.  They just changed something so they think tonight and tomorrow are going to be good.

Hey-- I'm able to write this so that is a HUGE progression.

Really, I'm back from the dead again because I just have to watch the 2nd finale of the Bachelorette.

Just sayin.

Life is good.

 I miss you guys and the good ole days!!

Sigh... 2013 what a year!