Life after Surgery

After I got home and had a chance to rest, things went pretty smoothly. I moved out of my parents house for the third time about 2 weeks after I got home from the hospital. My parents didn't want me to move out so soon after my surgery. They were worried that I would have another adrenal attack and no one would be there to help me. I just felt that it was something I had to do. I wanted to get back some of the independance that I have lost back. I assured them that I told my roommate all about my disease and that if something wasn't right to call an ambulance. My mom relented and got a bunch of people to move my things because I couldn't pack any of the boxes. I was excited and nervous... deep down I was scared... What if I had another attack and I could get help? But I WANTED to feel like an adult, not akid who lives at their parents. I still seen my mom everyday, she checked on me ALOT, which I loved. It was nice to know that I didn't have to be scared.

I started feeling better and about a month after my surgery I started getting back to normal. My incisions still were sore but I was careful and started doing more "normal" things such as brushing my horse, cleaning stalls, ect. I still couldn't pack water pails and it took me almost half an hour to clean my stall (normally takes 10-15 minutes) but I was determined to do it. My mom was always giving me crap because she said I needed to rest and heal properly.

There were times I wish I had of listened! For example I got it in my head one day while I was brushing Luci in the arena and walking her around that I could get on her... so I had my mom to help me up on her.... after a bit of begging and alot of convincing.....well I didn't quite make it up nefore I got a BRUTAL pain in my stomach... my mom let me down and I was sore for DAYS.... to the point that I could hardly walk! I decided that I would wait a bit longer before I rode her.... all my mom said was "I told you so!"

I started to realize that I had to be patient. I couldn't do the things I used to, I was tired ALOT. I think that was due to the fact that I no longer have adrenal glands, having my body get use to not having them, and also having my body get used to the new medications that I have to take. I had to learn when to rest... if I didn't feel good or was tired it was a bad idea to just push through it. I had to wait until my body was used to this before I could be the tough guy again.

It took MONTHS for me to start feeling better. I was depressed because I couldn't do anything... I felt like I was 80, I could barely walk up my stairs without taking a break, and this feeling lasted for about 6 months. I also had to be very consistient with taking my pills. If I missed one or was late taking one I felt HORRIBLE for a couple days. It isn't a feeling like having a cold or the flu, it is just complete and udder exhaustion, headaches, and well just not a good feeling.

My life has definately changed even more since my last surgery. I have to be more careful. I keep some pills at my house, in my car and a few at work so if I forget to take them I have extras. I can't be as careless as I once was, if I get hurt my body can't make cortisol to deal with the pain and if I don't compensate with pills my body will go into adrenal shock. I also have to carry a needle in my car, just in case I get in an accident or get hurt. Luckily I haven't had to use it yet, but I have to tak it everywhere.... although I must admit that I forget sometimes. My close friends and family have to know when/how to use the needle. It is comforting knowing that my family and friends know what to do in an emergency situation.

My life has changed alot since I had my adrenalectomy both for the good and the bad. The bad changes include haveing to take medications 3 times a day everyday, not feeling good when I am late taking my pills, I have to be super cautious when playing sports, driving, camping etc. so that I don't get hurt. I still get tired alot, and there are days I have absolutely NO energy, but there are days that I feel GREAT, I have lost 20 pounds (which is the most weight that I have lost since I got diagnosed), and I have learned not to take like for granted. I am starting to learn how to embrace life, and live it to the fullest. I am starting to feel healthy again. I decided to start playing baseball again, I have started going to the gym, and I have started to feel comfortable with the way I look. I started going out with friends, and I am starting to realize what I want to do with the rest of my life.

So far things are going great.

In a Hospital AGAIN

So when I was admitted they said I would probably only have to spend the night, the doctors just wanted to run some tests. I was still on the liquid diet so it really sucked. But my mom and dad, as well as my sisters Leanne and Jaimie came to visit with me. I was hardly left by myself. It is nice knowing that I have such a supportive family. They may not always understand what is going on but they are ALWAYS there for me. Hell, I don't even know whats happening!

It was funny because I was convinced that regardless of my just getting out of the hospital 2 days before, I was still going camping on with my friends for May Long, and my mom absolutely refused. We argued about it, but apparently I was going to be spending the weekend in the hospital. I was kind of bummed about it, until it snowed! I also still had trouble breathing so even though I wanted to go camping I knew deep down (even before I went to the hospital) that it was a really bad idea.

Dr Lupu (my family doctor) came in that evening. She was concerned about my breathing. She said she was leaving for holidays the next morning but she would leave me a prescription with the nurses and I was to grab it before I left the hospital.

The second morning they brought me some tea for breakfast... by this time I thought I was starving. So just before lunch I was sitting in the room with Jaimie and I finally asked how much longer I was on a liquid diet. The nurse went to check with the doctor and came back with great news. Apparently I was allowed to eat solid food and they had just got mixed up with breakfast! Immediately I got my sister to call my mom who brought me Subway!! Never has it tasted so good! That afternoon my Dad Jack and my sister Jessi came to visit me.

I was in the hospital for a total of days and 3 nights. I was in my own room for the first 2 nights which was GREAT! But on the 3rd night I was moved into a room with 3 other ladies. Let me tell you... it was the most horrible night ever... the nurses couldn't tell me anything other than I was not to take ANYTHING from the one lady as she had a contagious disease. SCARY!!! lol but I survived the night and the next morning I was told that I was allowed to go home. They had come to the conclusion that I had an adrenal attack, that had occured because my body was getting used to not having my adrenal glands anymore. So I asked the doctor on call for my prescription that Dr Lupu had left. He said that he didn't see anything there for me but he wrote me a prescription for some pain killers and then I called my Dad and he came and picked me up and I went home.

So glad to sleep in a REAL BED!!!!!