Ladies (and a couple gentleman), I am very happy to report that things went very smoothly with the removal of my thyroid and I am recovering pretty well so far!
I was knocked out by a nurse anesthetist at about 7:20am on Wednesday morning and woke up in the recovery room in fairly good spirits. In fact, when the nurse asked me if I needed anything in recovery, I said "Why yes, I would love a cup of coffee". Lo and behold, a Seattle's Best cup of delicious coffee was placed before me! What? I don't know if that is even allowed 30 minutes post-op but it happened and it was SO GOOD!
Soon after I was brought up to my room and was feeling pretty good, all things considered! I ate some jello and the most delicious popsicle ever a little later in the day. I was able to eat a "regular" dinner and received roast beef, carrots, and rice. Of course I ate the rice and carrots but since I am still eating vegetarian, I decided the roast beef was not for me! I think even if I was eating meat, I probably would not have eaten it, it was a little scary.
Thank GOODNESS, my husband brought me a giant McDs milkshake at about 6pm and that got me through the rest of the night. I love how most of this thyroid post is about food!
Anyway, I was up and able to walk around the unit pretty much all day and evening and felt pretty good. I was given just one percocet right after surgery and opted for ibuprofen the rest of the time. I watched the season finale of American Idol (and thought Janet Jackson was the best part of the TWO HOUR(!) show). I was hoping to pass out early but wasn't able to fall asleep until about 11:30pm and was woken up at 1:15am for ibuprofen then again at 4am for vitals and bloodwork and couldn't get back to sleep until 5:30am (up again for the day at 7am).
The doc finally came to check me out at about 9am and he actually glanced at me sitting up in bed reading a magazine and walked past me to peer into the other bed. He came back, with a confused look on his face. Uh, hi, you just performed surgery on me? He apologized and said I was looking so perky and in good spirits he didn't realize it was me. I am taking that as a compliment! He answered some questions, talked to me about how I might be feeling over the next week and sent me on my way, YAY!
As for how HMB held up while I was gone - he actually slept in his crib from 1am until 4:30am! But wait for it people, last night, when I was home, HE SLEPT IN HIS CRIB FROM 10pm until 6am!!!!! Yes, you read that correctly! I'm hoping it's not a fluke but of course it probably is...Maybe he just knows his mom needs her rest!
Anyway, the worst part of the surgery has been this sore throat. It was pretty rough that first day and has gotten a lot better. It feels like I was lifting weights with my neck with a tight necklace on. And I am definitely more tired than usual, which could be due to the anesthesia. But overall, I think my experience was pretty positive, as far as surgery goes. I will be hyperthyroid for the next week because when they remove the thyroid, the squeeze all the extra hormones out and they go into the bloodstream. But I will start on meds and even all out (hopefully).
I am definitely starting off slowly but was able to take a walk with HMB in the stroller today and hope to be playing LOW IMPACT/NO CONTACT sports next week as well as more walking. I certainly DO NOT want to hurt myself so I am all about taking it slowly (no, really I AM)!
OK, this has been a long and semi-convoluted post that was really just supposed to be about my little surgery story. I am pretty bad at telling a normal story straight through, as you might have noticed! I hope that everything works out for me without my thyroid and I am sure I will have more to share (about the thyroid and HMB, too, I promise). Thanks for reading :)
Friday, May 28, 2010
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Thoughts Before Surgery
Tomorrow is the big day for me! I head to the hospital at 6am to get my thyroid removed. It was a tough decision, one we debated for a long time, even after the date was set. But I am tired of riding the Graves' roller coaster so I am going to get off! And hope that I get myself HEALTHY soon.
This is my first surgery, I have preparing myself for awhile. I did all the appropriate pre-op stuff - bloodwork, chest x-ray, EKG. I am packed up, clothes, magazines, etc (even though I will likely be too groggy to read much). I cannot eat after midnight and I am contemplating eating until 11:59pm (OK not really but I did think about it). I have stocked up on soft, gluten/meat free foods (yogurt, applesauce, bananas, rice). And I did have spinach and corn enchiladas for dinner, YUM!
My mother-in-law is coming since my mom wasn't able to make it out from CO. Of course I am worried about HMB and his night away from me! Oh wait, really I am just worried about MY night away from HMB! People, I have only ever been away from HMB when I was in the hospital! I really need to think of other way to get a break!
I thought about making a list of things HMB might need but realized that my husband is capable and I would only be gone for one night and completely accessible in person and by phone! Wish me luck, mostly on managing being away from the family...and with the surgery :)
This is my first surgery, I have preparing myself for awhile. I did all the appropriate pre-op stuff - bloodwork, chest x-ray, EKG. I am packed up, clothes, magazines, etc (even though I will likely be too groggy to read much). I cannot eat after midnight and I am contemplating eating until 11:59pm (OK not really but I did think about it). I have stocked up on soft, gluten/meat free foods (yogurt, applesauce, bananas, rice). And I did have spinach and corn enchiladas for dinner, YUM!
My mother-in-law is coming since my mom wasn't able to make it out from CO. Of course I am worried about HMB and his night away from me! Oh wait, really I am just worried about MY night away from HMB! People, I have only ever been away from HMB when I was in the hospital! I really need to think of other way to get a break!
I thought about making a list of things HMB might need but realized that my husband is capable and I would only be gone for one night and completely accessible in person and by phone! Wish me luck, mostly on managing being away from the family...and with the surgery :)
Friday, May 21, 2010
Should I be concerned?
HMB seems to be making both developmental and physical milestones at the appropriate times. He walked just before his 1st birthday, he started saying words soon after, he goes through growth spurts and moved to cow's milk at a year as well. But there is one thing...he hasn't gotten a new tooth in about 5 months! He got his bottom two on schedule, soon after came the top two, then the top side. And that's where it stopped. He has 6 teeth and he will be 16 months tomorrow. So I ask, should I be concerned? So far what I have heard and read all lead me to believe that NO, I should not be concerned. But people, we are talking about my baby! Sometimes no matter what you hear, you still worry!
There is one good thing about not getting any teeth - no painful teething! I have been hearing horror stories about kids HMB's age getting their molars (molars?!? I would take the bottom side teeth at this point). So I am happy that nothing ELSE interupts his sleep right now.
A sick babe update: I got a call from the pediatrician last night at 6:45pm (the actual pediatrician, not just her office!!). She said that HMB's allergy tests came back negative, which is great, although he could still have asthma. We are still on the nebulizer about once per day and he still is not a fan.
I also found out that HMB's thyroid levels are all normal. No, we didn't have this done to see if he also has a thyroid condition. We did it because, at the previously mentioned 16 months old, HMB is still nursing about 2 times per day (usually before naptime and bedtime). I know, I know! But I am starting iodine drops from now until my thyroid surgery and I CANNOT BF while taking those. So, once again, HMB will be weaned and NOT like it one bit! He needs to be cut off at some point and I think we actually needed a reason to stop...
There is one good thing about not getting any teeth - no painful teething! I have been hearing horror stories about kids HMB's age getting their molars (molars?!? I would take the bottom side teeth at this point). So I am happy that nothing ELSE interupts his sleep right now.
A sick babe update: I got a call from the pediatrician last night at 6:45pm (the actual pediatrician, not just her office!!). She said that HMB's allergy tests came back negative, which is great, although he could still have asthma. We are still on the nebulizer about once per day and he still is not a fan.
I also found out that HMB's thyroid levels are all normal. No, we didn't have this done to see if he also has a thyroid condition. We did it because, at the previously mentioned 16 months old, HMB is still nursing about 2 times per day (usually before naptime and bedtime). I know, I know! But I am starting iodine drops from now until my thyroid surgery and I CANNOT BF while taking those. So, once again, HMB will be weaned and NOT like it one bit! He needs to be cut off at some point and I think we actually needed a reason to stop...
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Cough, alleries, asthma, oh my!
First, let me start off by saying I was a single mom this weekend. My husband went out of town on Thursday...to New Orleans...for a bachelor party! So on Thursday, I dropped him off at the airport and headed up to a friend's (and business partner) house for dinner. We had an early morning meeting so HMB and I stayed at her place and we all went to the meeting the next morning (with a high school art class who had done the art work for our book).
HMB had started coughing Thursday morning, I just figured it was allergies. He has had a runny nose and a little goop in his eyes for a couple weeks, but nothing else adn I chalked it up to allergies, just like me. But as his cough progressed, I could see it in his eyes that this was not allergies. So instead of spending the rest of the day working, I called the doctor and got an appointment around lunchtime.
After 30 minutes of waiting (not bad for an emergency appointment), we saw the doctor and found out a DOUBLE ear infection was the cause of the crabbiness, as well as a respiratory infection or some type. After looking through his chart, the docotor said HMB might have asthma or allergies.
While we were there, HMB had a breathing treatment and it was HORRIBLE! He cried the entire time, I had to hold him down while the nurse held the mask up to his face. But his oxygen went way up afterward so it worked. After all that crying and deciding that HMB was going to have ice cream for lunch, HMB had to have blood taken to check for allergies. I think the anticipation (for me) was worse than the actal blood draw. HMB survived and off we went to get his antibiotics, albuterol, and ICE CREAM!
After 24 hours on the antibiotics, HMB was definitely feeling better, we even made it out for a run and to my soccer game. He was in very good spirits and passed out at about 7:30pm last night and slept well, thank goodness!
Overall, it wasn't too bad and HMB is on the road to recovery. Although I am worried about the possible asthma. We will cross that bridge when we come to it!
HMB had started coughing Thursday morning, I just figured it was allergies. He has had a runny nose and a little goop in his eyes for a couple weeks, but nothing else adn I chalked it up to allergies, just like me. But as his cough progressed, I could see it in his eyes that this was not allergies. So instead of spending the rest of the day working, I called the doctor and got an appointment around lunchtime.
After 30 minutes of waiting (not bad for an emergency appointment), we saw the doctor and found out a DOUBLE ear infection was the cause of the crabbiness, as well as a respiratory infection or some type. After looking through his chart, the docotor said HMB might have asthma or allergies.
While we were there, HMB had a breathing treatment and it was HORRIBLE! He cried the entire time, I had to hold him down while the nurse held the mask up to his face. But his oxygen went way up afterward so it worked. After all that crying and deciding that HMB was going to have ice cream for lunch, HMB had to have blood taken to check for allergies. I think the anticipation (for me) was worse than the actal blood draw. HMB survived and off we went to get his antibiotics, albuterol, and ICE CREAM!
After 24 hours on the antibiotics, HMB was definitely feeling better, we even made it out for a run and to my soccer game. He was in very good spirits and passed out at about 7:30pm last night and slept well, thank goodness!
Overall, it wasn't too bad and HMB is on the road to recovery. Although I am worried about the possible asthma. We will cross that bridge when we come to it!
Monday, May 10, 2010
Return of Witching Hour?
As I recall, when HMB was about 2 months old, we had a witching hour (or hours, really). HMB would be great all day, napping well (in my arms of course, but at least he slept), eating very well, and overall being a good babe...until about 5 or 6pm and ALL HELL BROKE LOOSE!! HMB would be cranky and nothing would calm him down! I don't remember him screaming and crying, mostly just really cranky and not wanting anything to do with anything! I'm not even sure when it all stopped, but it did. Suddenly, he was happier, even in the evening!
A few months ago, HMB transitioned to one nap. He generally goes down at about 11:30am or 12pm and sleeps for 2-3 hours. It's so nice to finally have him on a more regular schedule since "scheduling" hasn't really been our strong suit! He knows when it's time for his nap (nah or nigh-nigh) and he sleeps really well! HMB wakes up refreshed and ready for me to take him to work, or possibly a trip to the park or maybe just more playing.
But lately, when 5pm rolls around, he gets CRABBY! He becomes even more of a tazmanian devil, only an angry one instead of a happy one! Every toy is out of it's place, all the books are out, socks come off, it's madness! Actually, it's not nearly as bad as when he was little, thank goodness! And he usually comes out of it after an hour or so, usually after some milk and dinner.
I think it has to do with the one nap thing - he is getting a little tired but not enough for bedtime. Then after he eats, he gets his second wind and plays again happily until it's time for bed. If I handled it once, I suppose I can handle it again! And HMB is so happy most other times, I will let him have his witching hour if he needs it!
A few months ago, HMB transitioned to one nap. He generally goes down at about 11:30am or 12pm and sleeps for 2-3 hours. It's so nice to finally have him on a more regular schedule since "scheduling" hasn't really been our strong suit! He knows when it's time for his nap (nah or nigh-nigh) and he sleeps really well! HMB wakes up refreshed and ready for me to take him to work, or possibly a trip to the park or maybe just more playing.
But lately, when 5pm rolls around, he gets CRABBY! He becomes even more of a tazmanian devil, only an angry one instead of a happy one! Every toy is out of it's place, all the books are out, socks come off, it's madness! Actually, it's not nearly as bad as when he was little, thank goodness! And he usually comes out of it after an hour or so, usually after some milk and dinner.
I think it has to do with the one nap thing - he is getting a little tired but not enough for bedtime. Then after he eats, he gets his second wind and plays again happily until it's time for bed. If I handled it once, I suppose I can handle it again! And HMB is so happy most other times, I will let him have his witching hour if he needs it!
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Happy Mother's Day!
Its my second Mother's Day, I'm not sure of the tradition I started - a half marathon? But lovely readers, I did finish! I refuse to reveal my pace, but I crossed the finish line and I was not last (and I did run the whole thing...slowly). At the end we received a flower (and a medal, which I gave to HMB because he loves medals).
Side note: Not sure how many of you enjoy participating in races, but generally after the race, there are tents and tables filled with bagels, water, cookies, bananas, oranges, trial sized power bars, etc. This race was slightly ghetto because at the end, there were three tables with Power*Ade, bagels, packaged pb and cheese crackers, and water. It's a fairly small race so I understand. I might also be a race snob? OR, I might just have finished so late they packed up all the good stuff and moved out, in preparation to re-open the street. Yep, that's probably it! Oh well!
After the race, we stopped at Whole Foods (it was packed with people buying M-Day flowers) and got some treats, although I realize that treats to me aren't necessarily treats to other people. My treats include: gluten free ginger snaps, tortilla chips, a Think Thin bar, kombucha (it's sort of a carbonated, cold tea drink), and French Vanilla Soy Creamer. Odd combination I guess, but all very tasty!
So I am enjoying my coffee with my delicious creamer, while HMB and my husband nap. I might even take a shower WITHOUT an HMB in the tub with me (which happens often because even if he doesn't need a bath, he always wants to climb into the tub when I am showering).
I will spend the rest of the day getting a massage and pedicure, then shopping and dinner with my husband at a gluten free restaurant. Ha, ha IN MY DREAMS!!! We have two softball games this afternoon then we will ALL be eating (a delicous salad) at the sports bar that sponsors our team! And that really is fine by me!
Happy Mother's Day to all you new moms, veteran moms, and moms of the future!!
Side note: Not sure how many of you enjoy participating in races, but generally after the race, there are tents and tables filled with bagels, water, cookies, bananas, oranges, trial sized power bars, etc. This race was slightly ghetto because at the end, there were three tables with Power*Ade, bagels, packaged pb and cheese crackers, and water. It's a fairly small race so I understand. I might also be a race snob? OR, I might just have finished so late they packed up all the good stuff and moved out, in preparation to re-open the street. Yep, that's probably it! Oh well!
After the race, we stopped at Whole Foods (it was packed with people buying M-Day flowers) and got some treats, although I realize that treats to me aren't necessarily treats to other people. My treats include: gluten free ginger snaps, tortilla chips, a Think Thin bar, kombucha (it's sort of a carbonated, cold tea drink), and French Vanilla Soy Creamer. Odd combination I guess, but all very tasty!
So I am enjoying my coffee with my delicious creamer, while HMB and my husband nap. I might even take a shower WITHOUT an HMB in the tub with me (which happens often because even if he doesn't need a bath, he always wants to climb into the tub when I am showering).
I will spend the rest of the day getting a massage and pedicure, then shopping and dinner with my husband at a gluten free restaurant. Ha, ha IN MY DREAMS!!! We have two softball games this afternoon then we will ALL be eating (a delicous salad) at the sports bar that sponsors our team! And that really is fine by me!
Happy Mother's Day to all you new moms, veteran moms, and moms of the future!!
Friday, May 7, 2010
Some of HMB's Favorite Things
HMB is such a funny kid, although I'm betting a lot of kids are pretty funny! He is still very social. I have my blood drawn to check my thyroid levels every two weeks and he has made very good friends with the women who work at the doc's office. I don't even remember how it started out, but now when we go, the woman who draws my blood goes and gets a nurse and she comes in and holds HMB while I get my blood drawn. He smiles and plays coy for them and nods at appropriate times when they ask him questions like "You are so cute, aren't you?". Nod. Smile. It's pretty hilarious. And they assure me that they aren't like this with every kid who comes in the office (yes I am bragging).
HMB also loves waving to random people. In the parkoing garage at the gym yesterday, he waved at a harried looking woman walking past. She spotted him, smiled and said "You just made my day!" I was very proud of him!!
HMB is also getting really into books but he still has such a short attention span. He brings me a book, usually this bedtime book he calls night, night or the farm animal sounds. But by the time I get to the second page, he brings yet another book.
Some things he is obsessed with: finding a way to get into the coffee, playing with my husband's old phone that plays "Baby Got Back" and Soulja Boy, balloons, trying to pull down our standing lamp, eating beans of any type, and balloons (did I mention that already??). What he is NOT really obsessed with: eating vegetables (besides asparagus), sleeping through the night, and tv (thank goodness).
So that's a little of what is going on with HMB right now. 15 and a half months old, I have no idea what he weighs or how tall he is. I do know he still has a big head!
HMB also loves waving to random people. In the parkoing garage at the gym yesterday, he waved at a harried looking woman walking past. She spotted him, smiled and said "You just made my day!" I was very proud of him!!
HMB is also getting really into books but he still has such a short attention span. He brings me a book, usually this bedtime book he calls night, night or the farm animal sounds. But by the time I get to the second page, he brings yet another book.
Some things he is obsessed with: finding a way to get into the coffee, playing with my husband's old phone that plays "Baby Got Back" and Soulja Boy, balloons, trying to pull down our standing lamp, eating beans of any type, and balloons (did I mention that already??). What he is NOT really obsessed with: eating vegetables (besides asparagus), sleeping through the night, and tv (thank goodness).
So that's a little of what is going on with HMB right now. 15 and a half months old, I have no idea what he weighs or how tall he is. I do know he still has a big head!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
I don't know if I have a cohesive post, but I need to get one up seeing that it has been a little while and I am TRYING to be consistent with this! SO, here goes with some random thoughts and happenings!
- HMB is saying words like crazy! He will repeat most easy words if you say it a couple times. Well, he TRIES to say the words. Some come out pretty well (bird=brr and tree=trr). Some not so well - we see airplanes every day and he points and says something that sounds nothing like airplane.
- HMB and sleep is still not going that well. Some nights he is great and sleeps in his crib for a few hours, some nights he doesn't even seem to want to do that. The good thing is, it's A LOT better than where we were a year, even 6 months ago so at least we have that going for us.
- I just scheduled my total thyroidectomy for May 26, ahhhh! But I think this is the best option for me right now. I am hoping that my mom will be able to come out for it, which would be nice! So many people have been so supportive and I am very grateful for my friends and family!
- I am supposed to run a half marathon this Sunday and I actually DO think it's the best way to spend a Mother's Day morning, no lie! However, I am not ready for a 13.1 mile run, maybe a 10 miler, definitely a 10k. So we'll see what happens...
- HMB is saying words like crazy! He will repeat most easy words if you say it a couple times. Well, he TRIES to say the words. Some come out pretty well (bird=brr and tree=trr). Some not so well - we see airplanes every day and he points and says something that sounds nothing like airplane.
- HMB and sleep is still not going that well. Some nights he is great and sleeps in his crib for a few hours, some nights he doesn't even seem to want to do that. The good thing is, it's A LOT better than where we were a year, even 6 months ago so at least we have that going for us.
- I just scheduled my total thyroidectomy for May 26, ahhhh! But I think this is the best option for me right now. I am hoping that my mom will be able to come out for it, which would be nice! So many people have been so supportive and I am very grateful for my friends and family!
- I am supposed to run a half marathon this Sunday and I actually DO think it's the best way to spend a Mother's Day morning, no lie! However, I am not ready for a 13.1 mile run, maybe a 10 miler, definitely a 10k. So we'll see what happens...
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