at 01/02/13 10:07PM
is a big day. Tomorrow, January 3rd, 2013 is the 10 year anniversary of our family leaving Oregon and moving to Florida! So crazy!! That's a whole decade!
Tomorrow is also a big milestone for me personally... It's 6 months since my surgery! I can't believe it's been that long. The 6 month mark is monumental just because that is the "allotted" time for all of the healing that's gonna happen to take place. Things are definitely not like they were before and I'm not sure if they will be without further intervention, but I am so blessed to still be alive with a great future in front of me. The past 6 months have been unreal. Thank you to all of my friends and family who were with me and supported my family during those very scary days and weeks. It's hard to believe I had major surgery only 6 weeks before moving in to college and beginning my freshman year.
Speaking of freshman year... my first semester is complete and I passed all my classes! I move back into the dorms in a few days and I'll be in a new room with new suitemates (same roommate) and I'm super excited.
Oh... and I bought a new (to me) car! A 2005 Hyundai Elantra hatchback and I LOVE IT! Now... anyone wanna buy my 1994 Camry?? :\ I have also been welcomed to 2013 and the 21st century by getting a smart phone! Yes, yes. I'm behind. Oh well.
So what's up with you?
at 07/16/12 9:42PM
Well, exactly one month ago we were at the urgent care clinic and I was being diagnosed with what the doctors thought were kidney stone, only to have a CT scan the next day that revealed a tumor, and then learning the next day that I needed surgery.
It's been a long four weeks... even though it doesn't seem like it's already been that long! I've seen way too many doctors, been in way too many offices, been poked with way (way way way) too many needles, had one too many surgeries... you get the point.
Even though this is something we never wanted or expected to happen, there are so many things we can be thankful for in this situation. We were able to find a surgeon who had me on her priority list - I met her on a Friday and she was operating on me on Tuesday. During surgery, they did not need to remove anything other than the tumor - so happy about that. At my 1 week post-op appointment, all the doctors were impressed with how well I seemed to be doing. Recovery is going well. It will be a long process, but I'll be given an entire 6 weeks before move-in day at college.... perfect. Tomorrow will be my two-week mark and I'll be allowed to drive again!
Last March I was moved to a different Starbucks because of my promotion. Long story short, it was horrid. I was never meant for that store and that store was never meant for me. I had a transfer to take place at the end of July (this month) to move to a store that will be closer to the college. I've talked to my new manager and filled her in with what's going on. They are excited to have me there and I am (WAY) excited to be going there. It is going to be night and day from my last store. I am so thankful. Even though I'll be going to work at that store a couple weeks later than expected, I'm so excited. It will be an adventure to balance going back to work (at a new store, nonetheless) AND the challenges of my freshman year of college.
Bring it on.
at 07/02/12 4:10PM
...is taking place tomorrow morning, tuesday july 3rd at 8am. I'm planning on being in the hospital until thursday or friday. thank you for your prayers!
at 06/23/12 12:15AM
Hello again.
I actually have a point to this post this time. I'll try to keep it short-ish.
Earlier this week I was taken to an urgent care clinic because of severe pain and vomiting. They gave me a useless shot of pain med and a chalky pill under the tongue for nausea, which I promptly threw up. We went home with a script for a CT scan and thinking I had kidney stones.
Next day I went to the radiology place (where I've gotten 3 MRIs in the past year for the accident injuries... the place is too familiar!) and had the CAT scan. Dad took me to eat something after that... Eat nothing + throwing up everything = serious weight loss. Since we thought it was kidney stones I was literally eating NOTHING. We were told to google what I could have and it was pretty much narrowed down to H2O. Sweet. I was also scheduled to have an appointment to set up my college classes on this day, but I was in too much pain so I had to cancel. Super bummed.
Next morning we got the results from the scan. No evidence of kidney stones but some evidence of a tumor in another part of the abdomen. This was day #3 of curling up on the couch in paralyzing pain. Mom called several different doctors trying to get an appointment. For some reason or another, she wasn't having any luck. She ended up getting an appointment on Monday (in 5 days) but I couldn't wait that long. She was able to get an appointment that day in a couple of hours at another office. Went in and was sat down at the dr.'s desk. He read us the report from the CT scan and the dr. was shocked at how big the cyst/tumor is.
Surgery is needed
We were told it would happen sometime before next friday (basically within 10 days). We weren't able to ask or get answers to any of of questions. The surgery scheduler (also named Veronica!) called me the next day and said the soonest available date the dr. had for surgery was the 24 or july. THE 24. of JULY. Um... can't really wait a month in this much pain. That would also cause some major timing issues with plans for camp (the week after) and for college (three weeks after). Soooo... what? Mom called and did some motherly things and the chick said the hospital "might" be able to get me in on Wednesday. She was supposed to call back today to confirm that, but no contact was made.
So now we're just going to keep the original appointment my mom had made for Monday with another doctor and see if they would be able to schedule a surgery sooner. We REALLY want the doctor I've already seen to do the surgery - we like him and trust him. I would hate to have someone else do it, but if it means I would be able to do it sooner and be able to be healed before I move to college, that's important.
So that's where we are right now. A leave of absence/short term disability has already been issued for work. I'm hoping that goes much more smoothly than the one in February went.
Please keep me in your prayers as we face the next few days and weeks and months. Recovery is supposed to be anywhere from 4-8 weeks. I've decided what it feels like to be having surgery... It's almost like the anxious feeling you get when you're about to get on your first plane ride! Reassured that it happens all the time and people come out a live, but still mostly terrified!
at 03/15/12 10:05PM
? What does that mean? I haven't clicked that button in over a year.
Well, what's gone on? You tell me.
My last post, which left the whole wide world of web sitting on the edge of their seats, referred to a job I got! I was hired as a barista at Starbucks in September 2010. My first day was October 1st 2010. I love working for the company.
Fun fact: I was the first minor (i.e. under 18) to ever be employed by Starbucks in the state of Florida!
As most of you know, April 12 of 2011, my mom and I were in a car accident. I was driving, my mother was the passenger in our family honda mini van. 9pm on a tuesday evening, a lady ran a red light at one of the biggest intersections in the area. It was a head on collision and the van was totaled.
That was the moment that everyone talks about. Life changed, probably forever, and I'm beginning to learn how to live with some of the injuries I sustained from the accident. Mom had some injuries that she received treatment for for a few months. She's dong great now. The one year anniversary of the accident is coming up... Every day is a good day to be alive.
I'm finishing up my senior year of high school and getting ready to go to FC in the fall. Paul Mitchell The School was on my list of things to do before FC, but the accident changed some of those plans. I hope to still be able to go to beauty school soon.
My mom's parents came for a visit! They flew across the country from Oregon on Valentines day and were here for a couple weeks last month. Coincidentally, I was on a medical leave the exact time they were here, so it was great to be able to spend time with them. I love my grandparents.
One of the most challenging things I've been dealing with since the last time I posted is a situation with my best friend. She has left. Spiritually, physically, mentally. She's in Satan's grip and it tears my heart apart. She's living a few hours away. December 15th, 2010 was the last time we both saw each other and I miss her every day, in every way.
Presently: I'm adapting to a new position I received at Starbucks. I'm now a shift supervisor. It's been a long time coming and it certainly is different. I transferred to a store that's farther away and not what I'm used to... but I suppose I'll be used to it in due time. I'm also attempting to work out all sorts of fun things with like 3,389 different companies regarding the LOA I took last month. Remind me to never take a medical leave again.
So that's what's been up with me....
YOUR TURN. Give me the lowdown of what's happening with you.
Cool! Glad things are going well! Been a roller coaster ride here and been whipping me all over the place. ;) I will update on my page soon as it's a LOT! :)
HEY! Cousin in law!!!!! :)
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