I thought I would take the time to be thankful for what I have, but also to pray for those who have it far worse than we do.
I am thankful for "healthy" lungs. Although I am still a bit sick with a bad LF due to the operation and anaesthetics, my lungs could have been far worse!
I am thankful for exercise: I am happy that I am able to exercise, and I want to remind myself that there are tons of other CFs and people out there who wish they could exercise as well.
I am thankful for our farm: Since the operation I have been staying on our farm with my brother. The clean air really makes a huge difference!
I am thankful for prayers: If you have read my previous posts, you will know that I was very dependant (and still am) on others prayers. This brings me to the actual reason for writing this post today...
Now... I am someone who always try to say thanks for what I have, whether it is materialistic or just my health and family. Sometimes I think one should say thank you more than one should ask. I also pray for the sick - in general.
But the people who I always specifically pray for, by name, are my fellow CF sufferers. Therefore I decided today that I want to create a new tab on my blog with a list of names of CFs who really need our prayers. And I want to start off with Vanessa Neveling:
Vanessa Neveling is also a fellow Cyster. At the moment it is not going too well with her. She has been in and out of hospital for the past 4 months and is on antibiotics constantly. Her life consists of receiving physio 3x per day, and doing nebs every 6 hours and saline every 4 hours.
Yesterday she received some pretty bad news, which is that she should now be on oxygen constantly. She was in tears.
I can only imagine how she must feel. And I think it is our duty, as fellow CFs, to pray for our Cysters in need. Vanessa could really use as many prayers as possible.
I just put myself in her shoes: If I imagine going to my doctor and she says that I should be taking oxygen for the rest of my life, permanently.... I have no words.
Therefore I would like to ask the readers that, if comfortable, to say a little prayer for Vanessa, and to also keep other CFs in their thoughts as well. I have experienced first hand how powerful prayer really is.
Spread the Love...
If you would like to add a fellow CF to my list of prayers, please use the contact-me form or the comment section below. Please provide as much detail as you feel comfortable with. It is always good to know what to pray for. ♥♥
(optional): You are welcome to send a facebook link, twitter link, instagram link, google+, or any other link where the readers may contact the person. A photo is welcome as well.
Please note that you should have this person's permission to post a contact link or photo, as not everyone feels comfortable to expose themselves so openly.
Remember to Breathe and Believe
xXx
Nina
Friday, 27 June 2014
Tuesday, 10 June 2014
Being Thankful - Part 2: A new belly button
So I know that I did put up a post about me being thankful for my family and doctors and friends, etc. It is a "typical" thankful list as it mentions family members and other loved ones.
Now, although it is not a Thursday, I would like to add something to this list.
If you read the previous post, you know that I went to the surgeon's office for a check up.
Now I was super scared and hesitant to look at my tummy because I did not know if I could process what I was going to see.
But at home I did look. And I did process it well. IN FACT, I was pleasantly surprised!
[Background detail] - If I did not mention this before, I will mention this now. I am SUPER self-concious. But I think all CFs will understand that. We are skinny, our nails do look funny and we are covered with marks and scars from drips and operations. Now one of my biggest physical "flaws", I feel, is the massive scar on my tummy.
It is a horizontal scar which is from my operation when I was 3 months old. Because of the quick mitosis babies have, my skin and scar tissue attached to parts inside my tummy, and now it looks like my skin is sewed to my insides.
I also have quite an ugly belly button. Also something I am super self concious of.
I have always been very aware of this, which made me very shy to go out in front of others wearing only a bikini. So last year, when I asked my doc if we could fix it, she said that the risk is too big because my lungs will damage if I get anaesthetics. (Of course, she is right.)
When I heard that I would be operated on for this whole intestine thing, I once again asked my doctor if we could fix it. She said that the chances of that is very slim and I should not get my hopes up. So I didn't.
But as I examined my vertical cut (which is over my horizontal cut - yes, my belly is crucified now), I noticed a little something different...
No, the doctor did not fix the horizontal scar. But he did give a new belly button!
Haha, in a way I feel a bit silly to post a post only about this topic. But I do feel that Mandi and Ronnie are right. We should be thankful for all the little things. And this, although very little, is actually a big thing. I am so thankful for this wonderful doctor who just decided to fix my belly button. I did not ask for it, and he didn't tell me anything. He just made this small gesture. And I wish he knew how much it really means to me.
I thank God for amazing people - especially my doctor and surgeon.
Thankful and Happy
Nina
xXx
xXx
My intestine story - The check-up
Today (06/09/2014) I went for my check up!
This was one of the quickest visits as the surgeon just took off the covering, examined it and said in an extremely pleased tone: "Looks good!"
And that is that.
He is so super cool! Haha, I like him a lot!
We just talked about my lifestyle for the next few weeks:
I may jog a bit, do arm exercises, but whenever I feel something in my tummy pulling, I should stop.
Sit-ups, push-ups (pft, as if I do THOSE) and netball (which I love) should only be pursued after 6-8 weeks. Sigh. Netball is the one thing I absolutely LOVE! But aw well.
Now it is time to get my LF up!
Breathe and Believe
xXx
Nina
This was one of the quickest visits as the surgeon just took off the covering, examined it and said in an extremely pleased tone: "Looks good!"
And that is that.
He is so super cool! Haha, I like him a lot!
We just talked about my lifestyle for the next few weeks:
I may jog a bit, do arm exercises, but whenever I feel something in my tummy pulling, I should stop.
Sit-ups, push-ups (pft, as if I do THOSE) and netball (which I love) should only be pursued after 6-8 weeks. Sigh. Netball is the one thing I absolutely LOVE! But aw well.
Now it is time to get my LF up!
Breathe and Believe
xXx
Nina
Monday, 9 June 2014
The (funny) effect of anaesthetics
I just HAD to do a post on this:
We all know how different people react after having had anaesthetics. There is a video on YouTube of a guy who sees his wife "for the first time". Go check it out. It is so sweet, but hilarious.
Anyway, so my reaction was as follows - and I will explain it just the way my dad told the story. He had to listen to all of this...
After being wheeled into my ICU private room, I firstly INSISTED that my dad should hold my hand. And every time he let go, I made whimpering noises and waved a weak hand in the air for him to take. This continued for 3 hours. Or so says he.
Then comes the part of our conversation. He said that I insisted on 5 things:
1. I wanted to go somewhere.
2. I wanted to eat 2 specific foods together.
3. I asked for 2 people, continuously.
4. I asked for one of our many pets.
5. I cried, wanting a certain antelope. (yes... an antelope...)
Dad says that, when I woke up I immediately called for him - in English - which is funny, because I am Afrikaans. When my dad answered that he was present, I started calling for my brother who lives on our little piece of farm land. (shame, my poor mother. I did not once ask for her...). So obviously I expressed my desire to go to the farm as well. I also mentioned that I missed my pet bird. Now this bird is a White Brow Sparrow-Weaver. A very unusual bird. But I did think of him a lot.
Food was also on my mind as I asked my dad to give me bacon and flapjacks.
And last but not least - the antelope. My brother and I will be buying Tsessebes later this year to breed with and maybe get an extra income. So at some point I randomly started whimpering again and said: "Dad, I want a Tsessebe!"
My dad, taking advantage of this situation to amuse himself, replied: "A big one, or a small one."
Apparently I actually gave it some thought, and then started sobbing: "A BIG one!"
So there we go. Dad can't stop talking about the Tsessebe conversation. He thinks it is very funny.
I also find it hilarious. My mother just rolls her eyes.
We all know how different people react after having had anaesthetics. There is a video on YouTube of a guy who sees his wife "for the first time". Go check it out. It is so sweet, but hilarious.
Anyway, so my reaction was as follows - and I will explain it just the way my dad told the story. He had to listen to all of this...
After being wheeled into my ICU private room, I firstly INSISTED that my dad should hold my hand. And every time he let go, I made whimpering noises and waved a weak hand in the air for him to take. This continued for 3 hours. Or so says he.
Then comes the part of our conversation. He said that I insisted on 5 things:
1. I wanted to go somewhere.
2. I wanted to eat 2 specific foods together.
3. I asked for 2 people, continuously.
4. I asked for one of our many pets.
5. I cried, wanting a certain antelope. (yes... an antelope...)
Dad says that, when I woke up I immediately called for him - in English - which is funny, because I am Afrikaans. When my dad answered that he was present, I started calling for my brother who lives on our little piece of farm land. (shame, my poor mother. I did not once ask for her...). So obviously I expressed my desire to go to the farm as well. I also mentioned that I missed my pet bird. Now this bird is a White Brow Sparrow-Weaver. A very unusual bird. But I did think of him a lot.
Food was also on my mind as I asked my dad to give me bacon and flapjacks.
And last but not least - the antelope. My brother and I will be buying Tsessebes later this year to breed with and maybe get an extra income. So at some point I randomly started whimpering again and said: "Dad, I want a Tsessebe!"
My dad, taking advantage of this situation to amuse himself, replied: "A big one, or a small one."
Apparently I actually gave it some thought, and then started sobbing: "A BIG one!"
So there we go. Dad can't stop talking about the Tsessebe conversation. He thinks it is very funny.
I also find it hilarious. My mother just rolls her eyes.
Sunday, 8 June 2014
Being Thankful
So I am reading Mandi and Ronnie's blog, and they have a "Thankful Thursday" post they do each week.
You can find their blog here: http://runsickboyrun.blogspot.com/2014/06/thankful-thursday-voice-honey.html
This got me thinking about my own life and things I am thankful for. If you haven't read my blog recently, please feel free to read the past 2 week's posts about a massive and very sudden operation I had.
*My amazing doctor whom I love so much! She is the best in the whole world and so supportive and smart and wonderful. I wish I could express how much she means to me. Also my physiotherapist who is not just a physio, but someone I love dearly as well.
* My wonderful parents who stood by me during the past 3 weeks, It was not only tough on me, but I think even harder on them. Later my dad admitted to me how many sleepless nights he had. I feel bad putting them through all that, but it is something that is out of my hands.
*My wonderful siblings who support me so much and who have to listen to me cough continuously. As I child I think I coughed them awake even. They never complain. In fact, they actually annoy me because they keep on nagging that I should exercise :P
What a lovely bunch.
*My friends who support me and who prayed during this hard time.
*My friends' friends and people I don't even know who prayed for me.
*Everyone who sent (and are still sending) gifts and flowers and yummy things.
*Our wonderful Lord who heard every single prayer and who uses me to show to others how almighty He is. He is our Healer, our Shoulder, our Rock, our Pillar, our Strength, our Everything.
Breathe and Believe
Nina
xXx
You can find their blog here: http://runsickboyrun.blogspot.com/2014/06/thankful-thursday-voice-honey.html
This got me thinking about my own life and things I am thankful for. If you haven't read my blog recently, please feel free to read the past 2 week's posts about a massive and very sudden operation I had.
*My amazing doctor whom I love so much! She is the best in the whole world and so supportive and smart and wonderful. I wish I could express how much she means to me. Also my physiotherapist who is not just a physio, but someone I love dearly as well.
* My wonderful parents who stood by me during the past 3 weeks, It was not only tough on me, but I think even harder on them. Later my dad admitted to me how many sleepless nights he had. I feel bad putting them through all that, but it is something that is out of my hands.
*My wonderful siblings who support me so much and who have to listen to me cough continuously. As I child I think I coughed them awake even. They never complain. In fact, they actually annoy me because they keep on nagging that I should exercise :P
What a lovely bunch.
*My friends who support me and who prayed during this hard time.
*My friends' friends and people I don't even know who prayed for me.
*Everyone who sent (and are still sending) gifts and flowers and yummy things.
*Our wonderful Lord who heard every single prayer and who uses me to show to others how almighty He is. He is our Healer, our Shoulder, our Rock, our Pillar, our Strength, our Everything.
Breathe and Believe
Nina
xXx
Thursday, 5 June 2014
My intestine story - LF, Weight and Going home. Day 18.
Here follows a journal of the past two weeks and the difficulties I went through. I will write each day as a new post for easy reading. To sum it up: I had to get an emergency operation because my intestines couldn't digest food. Here is what happened...
Thursday, 5 June
Today I am going home!
What a hectic 2 weeks these were. I have lost so much weight and lung function and now I struggle to get it back up again because the cut on my tummy prohibits me from coughing and eating too much. But I will get there!
My LF now is 56. My weight is 58.1kg (which I thought would have been much, much worse).
Now I have to start with exercises to build muscle and burn fat. The better my weight, the better my LF.
Doctor said that she is happy and all is fine, but she did prescribe an oral antibiotic to keep on with the lung treatment.
I am booked of till 30 June! Mmmmm, what to do, what to do... I have 2 months of nothingness :D
Before I get too excited - I should use this off time to heal. Although my pain is gone, I still have some hard work ahead of me in terms of getting my LF up.
It is quite late and I want to go to bed. Speaking of which - my room is decorated with purple and pink helium balloons. There are flowers and gift bags everywhere. It is amazing. I will post some photos tomorrow.
I thank God for all his power and greatness. He is the Great Healer. Amen.
Today I am going home!
What a hectic 2 weeks these were. I have lost so much weight and lung function and now I struggle to get it back up again because the cut on my tummy prohibits me from coughing and eating too much. But I will get there!
My LF now is 56. My weight is 58.1kg (which I thought would have been much, much worse).
Now I have to start with exercises to build muscle and burn fat. The better my weight, the better my LF.
Doctor said that she is happy and all is fine, but she did prescribe an oral antibiotic to keep on with the lung treatment.
I am booked of till 30 June! Mmmmm, what to do, what to do... I have 2 months of nothingness :D
Before I get too excited - I should use this off time to heal. Although my pain is gone, I still have some hard work ahead of me in terms of getting my LF up.
It is quite late and I want to go to bed. Speaking of which - my room is decorated with purple and pink helium balloons. There are flowers and gift bags everywhere. It is amazing. I will post some photos tomorrow.
I thank God for all his power and greatness. He is the Great Healer. Amen.
My intestine story - Less blood in sputum. Day 17.
Here follows a journal of the past two weeks and the difficulties I went through. I will write each day as a new post for easy reading. To sum it up: I had to get an emergency operation because my intestines couldn't digest food. Here is what happened...
Wednesday, 4 June
Today there was much less (to nothing) blood in my mucus. I have not yet received back the test results of why this happened. Doctor doesn't seem worried. So everything is fine!
Before getting on to my food for the day, let me first give good news: Doc said I can go home tomorrow! (Typically me I asked if it would be possible for me to go home on Friday, depending on what the menu is for Friday.)
She finds it hilarious. She doesn't have a problem with it - my doctor is freaken amazing. I love her sooooo much!!
Onwards to one of my best friends - Food.
Breakfast:
My typical breakfast! As always.
Dinner:
Coriander and oats crusted chicken breast
Boiled parsley potatoes
THE BEST CREAMED SPINACH EVER!
Side salad
Tinned Pears
And with this, I end this post.
Today there was much less (to nothing) blood in my mucus. I have not yet received back the test results of why this happened. Doctor doesn't seem worried. So everything is fine!
Before getting on to my food for the day, let me first give good news: Doc said I can go home tomorrow! (Typically me I asked if it would be possible for me to go home on Friday, depending on what the menu is for Friday.)
She finds it hilarious. She doesn't have a problem with it - my doctor is freaken amazing. I love her sooooo much!!
Onwards to one of my best friends - Food.
Breakfast:
My typical breakfast! As always.
 |
| This time I ordered fish cakes as well. They were good! |
Lunch:
One of my faves on the menu:
Soup: Vegetable and something delicious I have no idea what it is.
Chicken Escalope
Boiled baby potatoes
Veggies
Jelly and Custard
SNACK: A Caprese salad. Tomato, mozzarella and basil with fresh baguettes, sliced.
Dinner:
Coriander and oats crusted chicken breast
Boiled parsley potatoes
THE BEST CREAMED SPINACH EVER!
Side salad
Tinned Pears
And with this, I end this post.
Wednesday, 4 June 2014
My intestine story - Blood in mucus. Day 16.
Here follows a journal of the past two weeks and the difficulties I went through. I will write each day as a new post for easy reading. To sum it up: I had to get an emergency operation because my intestines couldn't digest food. Here is what happened...
Tuesday, 3 June
At first I though that today there would not be too much to report on. But this morning when I had a usual coughing fit, I saw that I had some blood in my mucus.
>CFs, have you experienced this as well?<
This has happened to me in the past. I have told that reasons may be:
The doctor said that I might go home on Thursday and Friday.
At first I though that today there would not be too much to report on. But this morning when I had a usual coughing fit, I saw that I had some blood in my mucus.
>CFs, have you experienced this as well?<
This has happened to me in the past. I have told that reasons may be:
- 5% Saline may be too strong
- If you have sinusitis, it could cause some blood in the sputum. Don't know why.
- Heavy coughing may lead to a little, mini vein popping, which is okay and not too bad.
- There might an infection of some kind.
My doc didn't look too worried and just said that we will send a sputum to make sure that there are not some new bugs in my lungs.
Overall my mucus varies from being thick and green, to a lot but thin and yellow, to almost nothing. It varies randomly and there is no pattern. At one point I think I am okay, and the next moment out comes this green gunk.
Furtermore, I will say that I have taken another step forward and now I am ordering even more food.
The doctor said that I might go home on Thursday and Friday.
Monday, 2 June 2014
My intestine story - Worries are over! Let's eat! - Day 15
Here follows a journal of the past two weeks and the difficulties I went through. I will write each day as a new post for easy reading. To sum it up: I had to get an emergency operation because my intestines couldn't digest food. Here is what happened...
Monday, 2 June
Now that I am healthy and all good (except for my lungs which need the antibiotics via drip), I will dedicate the rest of my posts to some of the most amazing meals that I have ever tasted in my life. I want to add some photos as well!
Today was "Day 2" on the Chef Special Menu.
My breakfast:
This is what I usually order. It is a list of foods which you can tick. I usually compile the following:
Muesli + yogurt
Fruit juice
2 sweetcorn and chive fritters
2 poached eggs
1/2 tomato, grilled, with basil pesto
LOTS of bacon
toast
My Lunch:
As the chef special did not interest me at all, I decided to, once again, tick the boxes and compile my own lunch. This is what I usually order in this case:
small soup of the day
whole baby potatoes / mash
grilled chicken escalope (otherwise known as freaken deliciously tender chicken breast grilled to perfection with various spices)
veggies of the day: stirfry carrots, onion and cabbage
Jelly and custard
My Dinner:
I ordered the chef special, as well as a self-compiled dinner as dinner is served at 5pm, and I am up until 1am. It is a hospital thing, I guess, not being able to sleep.
slow cooked roast beef stew
mash
veggies of the night: oven roasted veggies
CHEF SPECIAL: CHEESE, NUTS, BILTONG AND BISCUIT PLATTER! woop-woop! Celebration, baby!
Tinned pears for dessert
Hopefully I will remember to take pictures of tomorrows food.
Now that the worst is over, I'd like to give a shout out to our Lord for being so amazing and for helping me through this tough time. I want to thank him for keeping me and my family and friends strong. Our God really is an awesome God.
Stay awesome, Readers!
Breathe and Believe
Nina
xXx
Now that I am healthy and all good (except for my lungs which need the antibiotics via drip), I will dedicate the rest of my posts to some of the most amazing meals that I have ever tasted in my life. I want to add some photos as well!
Today was "Day 2" on the Chef Special Menu.
My breakfast:
This is what I usually order. It is a list of foods which you can tick. I usually compile the following:
 |
| A usual breakfast (just add another fritter) |
Muesli + yogurt
Fruit juice
2 sweetcorn and chive fritters
2 poached eggs
1/2 tomato, grilled, with basil pesto
LOTS of bacon
toast
My Lunch:
As the chef special did not interest me at all, I decided to, once again, tick the boxes and compile my own lunch. This is what I usually order in this case:
small soup of the day
whole baby potatoes / mash
grilled chicken escalope (otherwise known as freaken deliciously tender chicken breast grilled to perfection with various spices)
veggies of the day: stirfry carrots, onion and cabbage
Jelly and custard
My Dinner:
I ordered the chef special, as well as a self-compiled dinner as dinner is served at 5pm, and I am up until 1am. It is a hospital thing, I guess, not being able to sleep.
slow cooked roast beef stew
mash
veggies of the night: oven roasted veggies
CHEF SPECIAL: CHEESE, NUTS, BILTONG AND BISCUIT PLATTER! woop-woop! Celebration, baby!
Tinned pears for dessert
 |
| THE most AMAZING thing, ever! CHEESE, BILTONG, NUTS AND BISCUIT PLATTER Well done to the Netcare kitchen staff. You know how to treat your patients :) |
Hopefully I will remember to take pictures of tomorrows food.
Now that the worst is over, I'd like to give a shout out to our Lord for being so amazing and for helping me through this tough time. I want to thank him for keeping me and my family and friends strong. Our God really is an awesome God.
Stay awesome, Readers!
Breathe and Believe
Nina
xXx
My intestine story - Finally seeing my sister... Tears. Day 14.
Here follows a journal of the past two weeks and the difficulties I went through. I will write each day as a new post for easy reading. To sum it up: I had to get an emergency operation because my intestines couldn't digest food. Here is what happened...
Sunday, 1 June
Starting off with my fave subject: Food. Today I could eat basically everything, but not too much proteins and fats. I have to chew everything finely and shouldn't overdo it. My tummy was working almost 100% now, so it was okay to eat more food.
More good news: I got to dissolve that Movicol crap in a 500ml orange juice. GENIUS! You don't taste anything. If ever there is a question: What to dilute movicol in to take away the taste? Answer: Orange Juice! The product I drank was "Sir Fruit". Apparently you don't get it everywhere, but I guess any juice will do. I diluted a sachet in 500ml instead of 125ml of liquid. Doc said I could use more water, just not less than the prescribed volume.
The best part of my day, however, was when I got visitors. My mom and dad said that Gran was coming along. And yes! Here she was, peeking around my door! I immediately started talking and babbling, being in a very good mood because of the fact that I was now almost completely healthy. Then I heard a distinctive "Meow" sound (some personal joke between me and my sister and dad), and around the corner popped her head!
I was so shocked and taken aback and suddenly burst into tears, covering my face in my hands. My sister came in and I heard her moving around the bed towards me. We embraced for such long while and she also started sobbing. My dad stood up and fled towards the bathroom. (To pee? Maybe... or maybe men just don't cry... wink wink.)
After the embracing I looked up at her, with my first words being: "You suck, why did you stay away for so long??" Then the embracing and water-works started over again. When we finally parted I saw my grandmother and mom with redish eyes, all teary.
The rest of the day was amazing. We went down to the café, ordered delicious food (the Café Mocha - droooool! Best ever - @Netcafé), and mom even got me new flowers!
In the evening I got a visit from another friend and we also had an hour and a half long chit-chat.
The movicol works. My tummy works. My lungs are getting better. My legs are now climbing stairs with ease.
God is Good!
Starting off with my fave subject: Food. Today I could eat basically everything, but not too much proteins and fats. I have to chew everything finely and shouldn't overdo it. My tummy was working almost 100% now, so it was okay to eat more food.
More good news: I got to dissolve that Movicol crap in a 500ml orange juice. GENIUS! You don't taste anything. If ever there is a question: What to dilute movicol in to take away the taste? Answer: Orange Juice! The product I drank was "Sir Fruit". Apparently you don't get it everywhere, but I guess any juice will do. I diluted a sachet in 500ml instead of 125ml of liquid. Doc said I could use more water, just not less than the prescribed volume.
The best part of my day, however, was when I got visitors. My mom and dad said that Gran was coming along. And yes! Here she was, peeking around my door! I immediately started talking and babbling, being in a very good mood because of the fact that I was now almost completely healthy. Then I heard a distinctive "Meow" sound (some personal joke between me and my sister and dad), and around the corner popped her head!
I was so shocked and taken aback and suddenly burst into tears, covering my face in my hands. My sister came in and I heard her moving around the bed towards me. We embraced for such long while and she also started sobbing. My dad stood up and fled towards the bathroom. (To pee? Maybe... or maybe men just don't cry... wink wink.)
After the embracing I looked up at her, with my first words being: "You suck, why did you stay away for so long??" Then the embracing and water-works started over again. When we finally parted I saw my grandmother and mom with redish eyes, all teary.
The rest of the day was amazing. We went down to the café, ordered delicious food (the Café Mocha - droooool! Best ever - @Netcafé), and mom even got me new flowers!
In the evening I got a visit from another friend and we also had an hour and a half long chit-chat.
The movicol works. My tummy works. My lungs are getting better. My legs are now climbing stairs with ease.
God is Good!
My intestine story - Progress. Day 13.
Here follows a journal of the past two weeks and the difficulties I went through. I will write each day as a new post for easy reading. To sum it up: I had to get an emergency operation because my intestines couldn't digest food. Here is what happened...
Saturday, 31 May
I wish there was more to say than what I will be posting now.
Basically all just went well today. I had physio and walked some stairs. My lungs are slowly getting better. My tummy is very well. I am happy and satisfied.
I do miss my brother and sister a lot. Especially my younger sister. She got so upset with everything that happened. She didn't even come to visit once. My mom says she is like a zombie in the house and she is not doing well. She is very teary.
It must be tough. After all - she is only 12.
In other news: I am trying my best to motivate my tummy to work 100% properly. It is almost time for that yummy platter! :D
I wish there was more to say than what I will be posting now.
Basically all just went well today. I had physio and walked some stairs. My lungs are slowly getting better. My tummy is very well. I am happy and satisfied.
I do miss my brother and sister a lot. Especially my younger sister. She got so upset with everything that happened. She didn't even come to visit once. My mom says she is like a zombie in the house and she is not doing well. She is very teary.
It must be tough. After all - she is only 12.
In other news: I am trying my best to motivate my tummy to work 100% properly. It is almost time for that yummy platter! :D
My intestine story - Removing the tube and starting over. Day 12.
Here follows a journal of the past two weeks and the difficulties I went through. I will write each day as a new post for easy reading. To sum it up: I had to get an emergency operation because my intestines couldn't digest food. Here is what happened...
Friday, 30 May
Now that we knew everything was fine and that my intestines just needed more time to work, we did not have any stress. I had to start with soups and yoghurt again, but luckily it was the good, creamy soup, not the watery beef-stock kind.
Doc removed the tube early the next morning. Doc also wanted me to drink Movicol. It is a sachet that you mix in 125ml of water. The taste is horrendous!!
For those of you that ever had some condition where you were dehydrated, you would know that you drink that Re-Hydrate crap that contains electrolytes and stuff. The taste is horrible! The water is all thick and slimy. The taste is super salty and they try to sweeten it with whatever, which makes it a slimy, salty, sweet tasting drink. Whenever I think about that taste it comes and sits in my throat. Gag.
The Movicol tastes EXACTLY like that, only with a lemon flavour. I was open minded and mixed everything together. I took a huge sip and almost threw up again. The rest of the drink was poured down the drain. Euw.
I told Doc that there is no way I can drink it. She suggested I mix it with something nice. Tomorrow I will try it with tea. Hope it will work!
Now that we knew everything was fine and that my intestines just needed more time to work, we did not have any stress. I had to start with soups and yoghurt again, but luckily it was the good, creamy soup, not the watery beef-stock kind.
Doc removed the tube early the next morning. Doc also wanted me to drink Movicol. It is a sachet that you mix in 125ml of water. The taste is horrendous!!
For those of you that ever had some condition where you were dehydrated, you would know that you drink that Re-Hydrate crap that contains electrolytes and stuff. The taste is horrible! The water is all thick and slimy. The taste is super salty and they try to sweeten it with whatever, which makes it a slimy, salty, sweet tasting drink. Whenever I think about that taste it comes and sits in my throat. Gag.
The Movicol tastes EXACTLY like that, only with a lemon flavour. I was open minded and mixed everything together. I took a huge sip and almost threw up again. The rest of the drink was poured down the drain. Euw.
I told Doc that there is no way I can drink it. She suggested I mix it with something nice. Tomorrow I will try it with tea. Hope it will work!
My intestine story - More nausea, throwing up and inserting a tube down my nose - hell on earth. Day 11.
Here follows a journal of the past two weeks and the difficulties I went through. I will write each day as a new post for easy reading. To sum it up: I had to get an emergency operation because my intestines couldn't digest food. Here is what happened...
Thursday, 29 May
I threw up 4 times from Wednesday night to Thursday morning. I was still a bit bloated, felt nauseas but hungry at the same time.
Last night the doctor stopped all food and water until she could see me the next day.
So she, as always, came very early. I told her about my nausea and STILL, after exactly a week after surgery, not being able to go to the bathroom.
The doctor gave me an enema first thing when she got here. Although she kept on warning that it might be sore and uncomfortable, I didn't find it weird or funny at all. Maybe I was just happy about the relief. The enema did work in minutes, but not as well as I had hoped.
One of my best friends came to visit as well. We had SO much fun and I can honestly say that laughter really is the best medicine. It makes you feel happy and takes away pain. I have heard about research and studies done where they list the benefits of a good laughing session, but today I have experienced it first hand.
Although the morning was okay, the day got worse and my nausea was very bad. The surgeon then suggested for a tube to be stuck into my stomach. Crap.
I can HONESTLY say that, out of everything that I have experienced, the tube definitely was the worst! When they inserted the tube the first time, I was asleep. So I didn't feel anything at all. NOW I was wide awake: no sedation, no pain meds, nothing. I was aware of every torturing sensation.
The nurse started sticking the tube up my nose. That was okay. Then it hit that area that makes your eyes water. That was fine. I thought: okay, maybe this will not be so bad...
Then it started going down my throat. I made whimpering noises in protest, but forced myself to stay still. Then the tube hit that gag reflex and suddenly I exploded into a vomiting seizure (what a gross description... you are welcome).
I think all the food that I have eaten since, well, I started eating, was now coming out. I have never vomited so much in my entire life. My mom and doctor held my hand and a bucket. It was excruciating.
The tube did help with various things though. It relieved me from that bloated feeling. It emptied out all the crap from my tummy. And it also helped me to drink the Gastrograffin as it was needed to see what was wrong with me.
The night I basically got wheeled to and from Xrays. The gastrograffin was pumped into my stomach through the tube and in the end it showed that there wasn't anything wrong. There was no blockage and the surgeon did an excellent job.
Therefore, to sum it all up: My intestines are just damn lazy to start working!
I threw up 4 times from Wednesday night to Thursday morning. I was still a bit bloated, felt nauseas but hungry at the same time.
Last night the doctor stopped all food and water until she could see me the next day.
So she, as always, came very early. I told her about my nausea and STILL, after exactly a week after surgery, not being able to go to the bathroom.
The doctor gave me an enema first thing when she got here. Although she kept on warning that it might be sore and uncomfortable, I didn't find it weird or funny at all. Maybe I was just happy about the relief. The enema did work in minutes, but not as well as I had hoped.
One of my best friends came to visit as well. We had SO much fun and I can honestly say that laughter really is the best medicine. It makes you feel happy and takes away pain. I have heard about research and studies done where they list the benefits of a good laughing session, but today I have experienced it first hand.
Although the morning was okay, the day got worse and my nausea was very bad. The surgeon then suggested for a tube to be stuck into my stomach. Crap.
I can HONESTLY say that, out of everything that I have experienced, the tube definitely was the worst! When they inserted the tube the first time, I was asleep. So I didn't feel anything at all. NOW I was wide awake: no sedation, no pain meds, nothing. I was aware of every torturing sensation.
The nurse started sticking the tube up my nose. That was okay. Then it hit that area that makes your eyes water. That was fine. I thought: okay, maybe this will not be so bad...
Then it started going down my throat. I made whimpering noises in protest, but forced myself to stay still. Then the tube hit that gag reflex and suddenly I exploded into a vomiting seizure (what a gross description... you are welcome).
I think all the food that I have eaten since, well, I started eating, was now coming out. I have never vomited so much in my entire life. My mom and doctor held my hand and a bucket. It was excruciating.
The tube did help with various things though. It relieved me from that bloated feeling. It emptied out all the crap from my tummy. And it also helped me to drink the Gastrograffin as it was needed to see what was wrong with me.
The night I basically got wheeled to and from Xrays. The gastrograffin was pumped into my stomach through the tube and in the end it showed that there wasn't anything wrong. There was no blockage and the surgeon did an excellent job.
Therefore, to sum it all up: My intestines are just damn lazy to start working!
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