So, pretty much I don't know where to start because there have been about five different things in the last month and a half that I have meant to post on that I haven't, which means that, knowing how long it takes me to say some things, this could be a super long post. But I'll do my best to consolidate it all. Through the experiences of late I have felt so amazingly the love and support of good, good friends who have been angels in my daily travels.
On June 28th, 2010 I went under for a surgery that has changed life as I have come to know it for the last 6 years. It has been quite an experience, the last six years that is. I began having acid reflux symptoms at the beginning of my sophomore year here at BYU and it has progressively gotten worse. There have been periods of not so awesome pain, and others of sweet relief which often came I know only because the Lord hears and answers prayer.
I was officially diagnosed in December of 2005 and since then have tried a handful of different prescription medication and doses to treat acid reflux. As I tried lots of different medications and lifestyles to lessen the symptoms of the disease, nothing ever fully worked, and eventually temporary relief subsided.
This past fall I decided that it was time to quit living with it as it was and seek more professional help than just a family doctor. Through a good friend I was able to quickly get in to have a test done that would have otherwise taken extra appointments and expenses. At that time, the doctors shared the good news that I didn't have any damage done to my insides but they increased my medication yet again and suggested that I consider having a surgery done called a nissen fundoplication.
The medication was working great so I decided to wait, but just as all the other times before, that particular medication quit being effective for me and I decided to go forward with it. So this is a picture of what they did to my stomach:
The flap of skin/muscle, called the lower esophageal or cardiac sphincter, inside my body didn't work to prevent food and acid from having a hayday up and down my esophagus anytime they wanted. So what this surgery did was tighten that passageway. I now have six cute little incisions on my abdomen where they went into me.
My wonderful mom flew up and spent a couple days with me, my superb roommates and friends entertained and watched out for me. I was on a liquid diet for two, almost three weeks and so many people were willing to get me whatever would make me happy. They were all so good to me (not that they aren't always...) Friends at work helped out so much so that I didn't feel too horrible about leaving them with my job.
I'm reflux free now for the last four weeks and two days. I still feel quite a bit tired now and then and my incisions are tender to the touch but overall I'm GREAT! I'm eating almost completely normal (I just can't have hard, sharp foods like chips) now and eating has never been such a wonderful experience! I feel so blessed to be able to have had this work for me, and that everything has turned out perfectly so that it could happen.
A super hard thing about the last couple months is watching everyone around me play sports and not being to join in the fun! I've missed playing this summer so very very much. I've decided that it isn't the smartest thing to take yourself out of the active picture during the middle of the summer. At the same time I have enjoyed watching my friends play. They sure are wonderfully good people! How I LONG to swing a bat!!
A huge question that has been on my mind has been where I'm going to live next year. Just for everyone's information, I found a place and I'm rather excited about the adventure I'm about to have. More info to come on that one soon as I get moved in and stuff, I'll post pictures I suppose. Again it was the help of a friend that led me to where I'll be. Yay for friends.
A wonderfully fun experience I had the other week was my younger but far from little brother coming home from his mission!!! Steve and I decided last minute to venture home. Not trusting our loyal but appropriately named "Putt-putt" car, we rented one and left after I finished work on Friday evening. We drove late into the night to arrive home about 1:30am Arizona time.
It was SO wonderful to be with my family and friends in Mesa. (Being at my home ward on Sunday made me realize how many wonderful friends I have. While Provo/Utah has become my place of living in the last couple years, Mesa will always have the people I belong to. I love that blessed place.)
It was marvelous to be with my cute brothers and sisters. I miss them so much when I'm here in Utah. Yeah I have Steve here, and he is pretty great, but I still miss the other 7. Will got home on Saturday evening. I could've stayed another week with him :) I sure did miss him.
Speaking of my wonderful family. Exciting news is getting to have a new sister-in-law in just a couple months. I'm soooooooo excited for Steve and Janae! I sure like her A LOT!
Lastly, to end this novel, I'm SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO excited for my upcoming trips that start in one short day from now! I'm going to be flying to DC to see Dave and Nikki and Hallie with my family (-Elder Ben Merrill). I'm so excited for have us all together. I'll for sure write that one up. And then just a couple days after we get back, I get to leave again with my awesome friends, and go play in California!
LIFE IS TRULY SWEET, FULL OF GREAT FRIENDS AND GOOD STUFF!
