Figured I should post a bio over here since my introduction is lost in the main message board now...
I am 23 now and engaged to a saint (Mike)... we're planning our wedding for Nov. 1, 2008 (busy, but exciting!). To be honest all I really care about is that we are finally getting married (on our 5 year anniversary). I don't have the energy to stress about all of the little details... I am a pre-school TA in a 3 year old room. My dog, Paige, is my best friend (besides Mike) she "gets" me and loves to cuddle in bed when I am sore.
My health (short version): had leukemia symptoms as a kid (finally told I didn't have it). Starting in college: kidney infection, shingles, complications after wisdom teeth came out, endometriosis surgery, hormone injections to stop endometrial growths, food allergies, sun allergy (sneeze, get tired, turn red... people think I am burning, I am not just getting a "sun rash").
Longer Version:
I was always a "sick kid" growing up, had to get blood drawn weekly for a few months when the doctors thought I had leukemia (I didn't).
During finals/dorm move out my freshman year of college I got a severe kidney infection, but didn't go to the doctor right away... filled in random bubbles on my last test and nearly passed out, then drove an hour to get home to my parent's house... went to urgent care and argued that I could drink enough fluids and shouldn't be admitted. Got better but then got shingles due to stress from some personal events.
Ok for about a year, then got wisdom teeth out... dentist went to disney world for spring break 4 days after, I got dry sockets as soon as he was gone (office was closed for the weekend). Drugged myself until monday, went to get the dry-sockets packed, tried to leave and fainted (allergic to the packing), gave me oxygen and soda water, took my packing out and sent me home. Pain was intolerable, decided to try again the next day. Put packing in, loaded me with benadryl, made me sit in the office for over an hour. No reaction, went home. Missed the week after spring break.
Healthy for about 6 months, then started having unbearable pain during periods around september, progressed to daily abdominal pain by january. Went to ob/gyn, was told I most likely had endometriosis, would need a hysterectomy (no kids yet, but my ultimate life goal: to be a stay at home mom) wasn't going to take that answer. Went for second opinion with mom's ob/gyn. Scheduled surgery (again, over spring break... parents only paying for 4 years of college, determined to graduate in that time... don't think I ever had a real spring break!). Starting taking pain killers to get through until surgery. Surgery went great, no growths on tubes, removed a lot but not all.
Started experimental hormone injections 2 weeks after surgery (induced a temporary menopause: age 21). Mike drove me over an hour from school to doctor once a month for injections, nurses never let me see needle, have been told it was over 5 inches... injections were done into "love handle" area vertically (as in straight down, parallel with my leg while I was standing/clinging to Mike), always thought this must be what it feels like to have a steak knife in your body. Still have nerve pain when stressed out. Had to lean on pillow any time I sat for next several days. Menopause symptoms for next 4 months, hot flashes, etc...
My food allergies: spinach, pineapple, kiwi, eggs, gluten intolerance (i.e. any wheat or similar flour... it's in everything, I swear). I don't digest fats or carbs well so I take digestive enzymes (along with another 5 or so other supplements: iron, magnesium, vitamins, coconut oil, etc.).
Was mostly pain free for about year... endo pain coming back with a vengence (a lot of lower back pain too). Thinking about another surgery after wedding (this time over winter break).
Feb. 2008 Mike had brain surgery and nurse overdosed him 24 hours after surgery. Begged nurse to check on him, finally came in and plugged Mike back into monitors... three flat lines, he panicked and started screaming, shaking Mike, then called for help. They gave him nar-con (sp?) works like charcoal and "grabs" all drugs, Mike finally woke up crying because he had no meds in him (they had removed a 1.5 inch circle from his skull). We ended up with same nurse for 8 more hours... biggest jerk before and after he screwed up. After Mike came home (5 days in ICU) we sent letters to head of hospital, nurse is on probation, has to take more classes, can't do anything alone. Surgeon says he will never let the nurse take care of his patients again. Hospital to pay for any expenses to due overdose. The great news is Mike is pain free now and can do more than he ever could before (working out, golfing, working full time, taking care of me, etc.)
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