So HERE is what happened..all of it

I have had so many emails and phone calls asking about my hospital stay. I realize I have been all over Facebook updating daily but neglecting my blog TOTALLY. Hopefully the details here will explain why. I hope to get back to blogging VERY soon I am even thinking of doing a Favorite Things SWAP (on a small scale) to help distract me during my recovery.

well its kinda detailed but...back in August i got a really bad burn, from my curling iron, on the back of my neck. it took a loooong time to heal (silly but important detail) Then in October i got a really bad kinda wicked cold...kicked my butt, big time...unlike any cold I've had, and it would NOT go away. THEN in November i got a little bump on the scar, from the burn, on my neck...it hurt, like BAD and over the course of the weekend it went from a small painful bump to the size of a orange. bizarre and painful. so i went to the Dr. she put me on an aggressive antibiotic and gave me vicodin for the pain. i went home and slept...and slept and slept. Big Daddy just came in and gave me meds and helped me to the bathroom thinking the vicodin was really messing me up. i drank a gallon of water through out the course of the night. the pharmacist had told him that i might be very thirsty and a little loopy from the vicodin. somewhere in the middle of the night i got super hot and refused covers even tho Big Daddy said my body was freezing to the touch. THEN in the morning, after he took Jordan to school, he called the advice nurse and she said call 911. the last thing i remember was him coming into the room and getting me dressed and carrying me down the hallway to the front room. i don't remember the paramedics, ambulance ride or the first 2, of 7 days in the ICU.

basically i was an undiagnosed diabetic and because of the infection in my neck my blood sugar was off the charts in the 500s and my body temp was 31c. they called it diabetic keto acidosis i was closer to death than life for almost 24 hrs. most people don't come back from that and they told Big Daddy, it was a miracle.

so my body is kinda messed up because of almost dying and the time in the hospital. my vision is impaired, my motor skills like walking, holding things without dropping them and even fine motor like opening packages, buttoning, zipping etc are impaired. i have a lovely stutter now and then and i can barely get a full sentence out before my mouth won't keep up with my mind. the Dr says it could take as long as 6 months to get "closer to normal".

i had surgery on my neck. they removed about 2 inches deep of tissue. i got released the day before thanksgiving. Big Daddy learned how to "pack" my wound and changed the dressing 3 times a day. he has been a pretty good nurse and has even learned how to cook (cleaning, not so much). J has been a real trooper, doing whatever she can to help out, great kid!!

Then the day before Christmas Eve i got some HORRIBLE pain from my belly button to my spine on my left abdomen...just in that space and then within 24 hrs a really bad rash formed...SHINGLES...lovely. i guess it happens sometimes when a body goes through such stress...lucky me. worst pain ever...shingles attacks the nerve endings..horrible. i am STILL having pain, the rash is gone but the pain is still there...annoying. the meds i am on for the pain are causing "the leans"...i just fall over when i walk. and of course i cannot drive. i really can't do anything. i am not the kind of girl who sits around. i actually cook for my family every night. so this is hard for me.

THEN a week or so ago i was diagnosed with pneumonia after a chest xray was ordered when i was having a hard time breathing...CRAZY. its just one more thing...depressing. so more meds and more issues.

sooooooooo that's what has been going on here...

my diabetes is already totally under control thanks to meds and diet, and because i am awesome like that. i haven't had to take insulin much at all...giving myself a shot in the tummy is bizarre... its type 2 diabetes so it can be fixed/managed just by a healthier lifestyle...so i am watching my carbs and already doing really well with my glucose around 70-90 most of the time. and as a bonus i have already lost 26 lbs...sitting on my couch watching TV. LOL

I know this was long, but i have had so many emails asking and I thought i would just try and cover it all here. I am determined to get well...i am really over it. My little family went to lunch and a movie Saturday and it nearly killed me. my body paid for it for sure. but i NEED to get out of the house.

Also I just wanted to thank everyone who has sent cards and flowers and Good Mail...y'all rock. It has all truly lifted my spirits and I need that right now.

PS. the next time you see your Doctor ask about the Shingles vaccine...not kidding, I do not wish this pain on anyone! I would rather be run over by a mac truck.