About Me

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I am a multifaceted woman, living with intention and passion. I always see the glass as half full (ok, almost always). Currently into: jewelry design, glass beadmaking (aka lampworking), visual journaling, cooking and web design everything. Things that bring me great joy: my family, friends, Scrabble, British period pieces, Shabby Chic, Austin, TX, mini art tiles, autographed cookbooks, chocolate, Chianti, pedicures and beach glass. I don't "do" and/or dig: dishonesty, guilt, intolerance, unkindness, drama and goat cheese (it's a long story, but I love all the other cheeses!) So you now have a teeny tiny little picture of me, with a few warts thrown in. Welcome to my world!

Monday, July 26, 2010

Scoping and Subconscious Battling

     Yesterday was filled with nothing but clear fluids and my colonoscopy prepping, so if that doesn't sound remotely interesting to you, I advise you to skip my blog for the next couple of days, since I'll be consumed by my scoping procedures and gall bladder removal. Fun stuff...
The procedure this morning, scoping top and bottom made me anxious all week, even though I heard that you don't remember it at all and feel no pain after, usually, but still, seems so invasive to me. Anyway, I was a good patient, followed the prep to the letter and arrived on time this morning at 9 a.m. They got me right in, gowned up and placed the IV port in my arm. Then I walked to the room where I would have the procedure, and was given a "shot" to knock back of anesthesia for my throat. I had to gargle with it first and then drink it. It was a clear thin liquid that tasted like anebesol, delish! Almost couldn't swallow it! There were two nurses in the room and one called the other the "bartender," the one who handed me the shot, so I told her "no tip!" Then I lay down on my side, feeling like there was a lump in my throat from the nasty anesthesia and trying to swallow anyway. When the Dr. arrived, he squirted some cherry flavored anesthesia on my vocal cords, twice, since I didn't open up wide enough the first time, and I gagged both times on that stuff...but it was at least cherry flavored right?
     Back onto my side, they hooked up the anesthesia to the IV port and I don't remember anything else about the procedure. The next thing I know, my hubby's face is close by and it is time to go home, yeah. I was sooo woozy! He had to help me big time. As soon as we got home, I went to bed and slept for at least 2-3 hours, I'm not sure. Next thing I know, my nurse is quietly knocking on my door, my mother actually, she came to take care of me this week while hubby has to work. I got up and still felt very woozy. Spent the day sitting around, trying to let the slightly drunk feeling pass, without much success. No pain whatsoever though, would never know I had the scoping done today. The results: colon is all clear (yeah!)but they found a paraesophogeal hernia and some polyps in my stomach. Of course I've never had any problems with my digestion or heart burn, save for during my pregnancies after the fourth month, so don't know what's next regarding those things.
     And now to my incredible subconscious battle. My hubby tells me that the nurse told him that because my gag reflex wasn't quite under control and that I was gagging, I was trying to get off the table! Yup, even sedated, out of my head, my body knew something wrong was being done to it and it tried to fight back. I was so glad to hear that,  you have no idea. My self knows to get itself out of a bad situation, even under sedation. I, of course, have no recollection of this insane event, me in my gown, with a plastic thing stuck in my mouth to protect my teeth, hooked up to a pressure cuff on one arm, an IV on the other, doing my best to overcome two nurses and a Dr...wish they had videotaped it. I'm so proud of me!
     Getting ready now for my 5:30 a.m. curtain call at the hospital for my gall bladder removal. Special soap I have to shower with tonight and tomorrow morning, no food or drink after midnight(I'm not a gremlin!), and then getting up with the sunrise, so that makes two from my list of four that I want to see on my list of "44 things I want to do before I turn 45." I think I'll add "have something removed from my body" too now...
     And lastly, the photo up top is the ATC card I sent to my partner this month. Created with water color, acrylics, gold leaf, collage and marker.

9 comments:

  1. I love your art in this post :-)
    Hope your surgery goes well. Good to know that you were fighting even when unconscious! Go girl!

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  2. DEAR MARIA,
    HI, I'M DEBBIE R AS LISTED ON JULY'S BLISSFUL ATC SWAP. I LOVE YOUR CARD.
    I AM SORRY FOR ALL THOSE NASTY TESTS. I HAVE HAD THEM ALL AND DESPISE THEM...ONLY THEY HAD TO CUT ME OPEN TO GET MY GALLBLADDER.
    I WILL BE PRAYING FOR YOU, THAT ALL GOES WELL.
    HUGS
    SIMPLY DEBBIE

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  3. I had to put something "fun" in the pot Kathryn!

    Thanks Debbie, I was very lucky that they could do it laproscopically. Finally feeling more coherent tonight, but incisions do hurt a bit, keeping them iced and taking my pain killers when I need to as well.

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  4. Hope they can fix you right up real quick! Thanks for visiting my blog and I too am glad than I joined the ATC swap. This is the first time I have ever attempted anything like this. I am brushing up on my collage skills. I like Your 'sister" collage. Both the one your received and sent. Maybe we'll be partners this time around?

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  5. Well,lady, you are going through some rough times.
    Do not send me any post cards or even ATC's that say "Wish you were here." They will be promptly returned and I hope with postage due - be warned.

    However, maybe creating ATC's under influence of medication would be interesting - just let someone else handle the scissors, okay?

    Take care, behave and let us know how you are doing.

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  6. Best Wishes to you and hopes for a speedy recovery...

    I came here today to introduce myself. My name is Sherry, and I am one of the new Bloggerette Sorority Sisters. I have only been blogging for a few weeks so I missed the rush, but am excited to take part in all the fun! I would be honored if you would come for a visit at my blog http://scrappingwithsherry1.blogspot.com/

    Take Care~ Sherry

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  7. Hi Maria! I'm glad your surgery went well! Mine took a few days of recovery before I felt halfway normal again, but it didn't take too long. Glad you made it through those yucky tests too... that sounded very UN-fun.

    Really enjoyed meeting you at Teesha's class. Loved seeing your creations again on your blog. Will be back to visit your blog soon! Take care, Shelly

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  8. You are so creative I like the fun styl your mind must be so full. I'm too relistic. Hope you get me in the swap. Laura

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  9. Maria you know I LOVE my ATC ...
    sorry you had such a time though.

    Francie

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