Life As We Know It (2 of 2)

Great! You are back, and I didn't scare you away!

So when I left off, I mentioned that half of my intestine had been taken out.

I was almost septic.

What a CRAZY whirlwind of events! Totally unexpected!

To be honest, I'm not glad that I got burned, but it's kind of a blessing in disguise that I was in the hospital for them to catch what was going on with my intestine.

Everything came to a complete stop. I had no choice in the matter.

I tell you, God has a way of talking to you.

Either you listen or he will make you listen.

Something I did not want to happen at all...

I hope to never experience it again.

Definitely not my first fight, and I am sure it won't be my last.

I had to stay still. The doctor's wouldn't let me move.

I went sixteen days without eating or drinking ANYTHING.

I was getting all of my fluids, nutrition, and medication through a PIC line in my arm.

I had so many tubes, IVs, and needles in me at one point that if you saw me, I would not have looked human.

During that time, the news of me being hospitalized spread like wildfire.

I didn't even understand how in the world so many people found out.

I know that my friend posted a short something on facebook, but I mean it was beyond that.

I didn't mind, but I was so sick that I couldn't answer my phone.

I couldn't tell everyone what happened or why I was in the hospital.

I could barely stay awake or put two sentences together.

All of my energy had to be focused on surviving.

When I was finally coming out on the other side (thank God),

I started to see everyone, and I mean everyone, reach out and offer me

company, food, prayers, visits while I was in the hospital etc... the list goes on.

The people go on.

I am being completely serious. I promise I really did not think that people valued me

the way that they did.

I guess it took something like this for me to realize that I matter.

I didn't know people thought of me like such... it really opened my eyes, and honestly, it's what kept be going and still keeps me going while I recover.

I've still got a ways to go, but I want you to know that I am SO appreciative

of the kindness and the love and the continued prayers and the precious thinking of you gifts (flowers, definitely food, and the phone calls).

Before letting me go home, my doctor grilled into my head that I must eat.

They told me they wouldn't send me home if I didn't eat.

I must eat to heal is what my surgery team kept saying to me.

LOL. I am trying to eat, people, I am trying!

I am still not able to get out right now, so all of the visits and all of the phone calls still mean so much and really lift my spirits.

I am hoping to get my staples out really soon and hopefully get my mojo back because lord knows, I am not used to not being active.

Every time I tell people that they don't have to send me things or call, they tell me that I make a difference. There were even people who never met me checking on me through mutual friends. That feels pretty amazing.

I really am so appreciative, I don't know how else to say it.

When I bounce back, I want to pay it forward.

Everyone has really made this girl feel completely loved.

Gosh, what a journey... totally unexpected, but it had to happen to save my life.

With that, I am going to stop right now so I can rest.

Below are some pretty pictures of flowers I have received.

Different times, but I still have them all.

I hope you guys enjoy these very special flowers.

Virtual Hugs

~ Kamie~

Life in the Moment as We Know It Part 1 of 2

Hi Guys,

You may or may not be wondering why I chose the title that I did for this blog.

I say this all the time, and I don't mean to sound like a broken record...

It's been awhile, and honestly, I don't mean to keep doing this... I honestly don't know how to start this blog. I am just going to go for it...

Let me just start by saying that I had an accident about 20+ odd days ago around maybe the 12th of September... Sorry, I lost track of the time. Next thing you know, it landed me in the hospital for 20 days.

So, the crazy thing is my (then) weekend help needed the weekend off.

I was supposed to go out of town to my foster parent's home in southwest Virginia.

That, unfortunately, didn't go as planned because my transportation for our way down there ended up sick. Things happen. Then, my foster dad ended up with COVID. What a BUMMER! I was so looking forward to getting away for a weekend. So, needless to say, I ended up having to stay home, but my help still needed the weekend off.

I couldn't tell her no... what are you supposed to do? You can't say no!

So, my mother agreed to step in, but to cut to the chase... I went to the laundry mat near my residence just to wash some work clothes to get ready for the week.

I've done this a million times before. It wasn't a big thing.

Normally, my help would go with me just to help things move smoother.

But, not a big deal! Until I had a momentary lapse in judgement and decided not to be careful with a bottle of lysol laundry additive (laundry sanitizer).

It spilled completely all over my lap and into my chair and all over the floor.

A brand new and unopened bottle completely wasted.

I had to sit in it because I didn't want to bug somebody to get out of it... and it caused severe burns, which in turn, not until much later, led to me calling the rescue squad.

They came to check me out... needless to say, I didn't go to the Emergency Room until the next day.

It was horrible. The pain was unexplainable... I can't put it into words.

When I left for the hospital, through the Rescue Squad, I was praying that they would at least admit me for a few days because I knew I couldn't handle taking care of the burn on my own safely. So, that following Monday, I got to the hospital at about 7:15 AM, and they tried to wash me off. That did NOT happen. They had to stop immediately and give me some serious pain medicine. Needless to say, they didn't decontaminate me at that time, They put me back in the exam room, continued to pump me full of pain meds, etc... and finally ended up admitting me. Before they did anything, they had to take me to the decontamination shower again, and I PROMISE I don't wish that on my worst enemy. I can't tell you how excruciating that experience was.

When they began washing me off, I begged them to stop for a minute because I honestly was holding my breath until I turned blue. It hurt more than I could express. So, they stopped for a minute, and then they promised that it would only be 30 more seconds and that they would make it fast... and so they did. They quickly patted me dry, and laid me on a clean bed with clean sheets and wrapped me in warm towels so that I could relax my body without adding more stress... that's what they told me. It really did help to calm me down quickly. So, you know from there, I was expecting 3 days-- 4 days TOPS to be in the hospital. What I wasn't planning on was emergency surgery 4-5 days after that due to ... the medical term is Ileus. According to the doctors, an Ileus is a temporary arrest of intestinal peristalsis. It occurs most commonly after abdominal surgery, particularly when the intestines has been manipulated. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and vague abdominal discomfort. In my case, it was severe, and I just about went septic, and at four in the morning, they literally didn't give me a choice. The doctors rushed me into the operating room and did emergency surgery. WOW, what a curveball. So, one thing turned into two severe things, and that ended up with 30+ staples right down the middle of my abdomen.. with half of my intestine being taken out.

To Be Continued on Friday.... Stay Tuned!

Virtual Hugs

~Kamie~

9/11 Remembering...

Today has been gorgeous. The weather, Fall/October (OCTOBER) especially, makes me blissful.

Early in the morning... never take that peaceful feeling for granted!

You know I had plans this weekend that were going to be awesome.

I was going to get away from Richmond,

but of course that took a turn of events and nothing went as planned.

So, of course, as I quickly changed up my plans and making do with this time off.

I took a stroll to the park early this morning. I actually pulled out a sweatshirt. I don't know if I am ready for sweatshirts yet, but it was needed this morning, and so that's fine.

Taking in all of my surroundings and remembering...

What a HEAVY day this is for an entire nation.

Remembering with all of that to be grateful

Grateful.

My plans didn't work out and I was sad,

but things happen for a reason even if we don't understand right away

My feelings quickly aside as the memory of the nearly 4000 lives that were lost this day 20 years ago.

I tell you... If I could reach all of the families who's lives were tragically flipped upside down by all of this, I would give them all hugs and embrace them, and I pray for them as I remember the families today.

How lucky we are to still have simple moments like I had this morning.

It was chilly, but just enough. Not too much.

The sun rays were a pretty shade of fresh.

I was taking my time and riding around the pond

the ducklings sitting still in one section atop the water.

The fog slowly dancing away from the water.

Taking it in and appreciating how precious it is.

It was absolutely beautiful. I wish I could paint it!

BUT YEAH, THAT WON"T HAPPEN!

Anywho, I will close in saying if you haven't taken a moment

or perhaps forgotten (not on purpose, of course,) stop and say

a little prayer for the victims and the families.

Even though our lives get busy, never forget.

Never forget how blessed we are.

In other things, I just felt like jotting the start of my day down and

sharing with you the simple beauty of life.

I hope you guys had a beautiful day, and I hope you have gotten outside!

Here is a simple picture that I took last weekend that speaks louder than words to me.

I love it.

I wasn't even trying for real.

I hope you guys enjoy the picture.

Virtual hugs.

Thank you for reading! Returning ASAP!

~Kamie~