Merry Christmas

Man, has it been a while since I have posted here on my blog.  But, at least this time  I have a good excuse. :).  I'm recovery pretty well.  I am still having a little problem with the choking thing.  In my last post I mentioned having some complications at the hospital that caused me to have to stay a few extra days.  Well, one of those complications was a choking experience.  My surgeon had warned me that I would have a hard time eating for a few days so I was prepared for that.  What I wasn't prepared for was almost dying trying to eat an English muffin.  Sunday morning, December 9th, I was eating my breakfast and took a small bite of the English muffin.  For some reason it became stuck in my throat.  I couldn't get any air.  Usually I could pull in enough air to cough whatever was stuck up, but not this time.  The little bit of air I was able to inhale caused the English muffin to move slightly and completely block my airway.  I knew I was choking.  I began to get light headed from lack of oxygen.  Amazingly, I was very calm.  I pushed the nurses button and the aid came in the room and I held my hands up to my throat in the sign of choking.  She yelled into the hallway that I was choking and nurses came from everywhere.  They ripped my neck brace off to try and get some air into my lungs but that didn't help.  They were afraid to try the Heimlich  or whack me on the back because of the neck surgery.  I remember beginning to see millions of little stars exploding and asking God to please take care of Kierstynne for me.  I knew I was going to die.  But still, I was strangely calm.  I knew that many people had been praying for me.  I also knew that God had me in the palm of His hand and that no matter what happened, I was going to be ok and so would my daughter.  Finally one of the nurses, one of my favorites, said, "Forget this crap! She isn't going to die today."  She then whacked me in the middle of my back twice and dislodged the muffin.  Air rushed into my lungs and tears rolled down my face.  I was so thankful to be alive, yet strangely disappointed.  I really thought I was going to meet my maker face to face that day and I was looking forward to seeing Jesus.  But, I was happy to have more time with my family and friends.  It was very strange.  The whole incident from beginning to end took about a minute and a half although it felt much longer.   So, because of that incident, I had to have two more tests so that they could make sure that nothing was blocking my airway or esophagus.  I was able to actually see myself eating food and swallowing it on the x-ray.  That was very cool.  I watched myself eat a couple pieces of a peach from when I chewed it up until it went down my esophagus and into my stomach.  I also had a chance to see the plate and screws that now support my neck.  Pretty neat I must say.

When you have an experience like that, it makes you rethink your priorities.  It also causes you to see life in a different way.  I am thankful for every minute I have here on this earth.  I still can't do a whole lot of anything...no lifting, no bending, no stretching, no lifting my hands above my head, no laundry, no pushing a vacuum, no washing dishes.. the list goes on.  I have to be careful how much walking I do.  I over did it this past weekend trying to get ready for Christmas.  I am paying for it now.  My shoulders are very sore and my  lower back is killing me, but I'm ready for Christmas.  I have been able to do a little cooking and my mom, Kierstynne and I made some Christmas cookies last week.  I do have a prescription for Percocet that helps a little bit and a muscle relaxer, but I try not to take them unless absolutely necessary.  After being on Morphine and Oxycontin in the hospital, I've had enough drugs to last a while.  The Oxycontin scared me.  I can see why and how people become addicted to it so easily.  I can also understand why they would break into pharmacies to steal it.  It makes you feel wonderful.  I didn't know if it took the pain away or just made me so high I didn't care about the pain.  It is a wonderful pain killer, but not something I want to take again.  I do not remember alot from the first three days of my stay.  I didn't remember Kierstynne coming to visit, I knew that my cousin Michael was there, but for the life of me I can't remember our conversation.  My mom has filled me in on some of what happened, but there are still blanks.  She said that my uncle, husband and herself had some good laughs at my expense those three days.  So, I would prefer not to have Oxycontin again.

I really appreciate all the prayers and good thoughts that have gone up for me.  I have an appointment with the surgeon on January 3rd to get an x-ray to see how I am healing.  I am anxious to see how well I am doing.  I still have to wear this neck brace for a little over 9 more weeks.  Boy, I can't wait for it to be over so that I can sleep in my own bed and get back to crafting.  I really miss my crafting and seeing all the amazing creations that you, my crafty friends, have been creating.  I hope all of you have the merriest of Christmases and a very blessed New Year.  God bless you all.