Wye Mountain Daffodils

We've been going to Wye Mountain for the past few years...it's a beautiful field of daffodils that is just breathtaking.  We took E when she was 1 and went back last year as well.  It's always packed but this year it wasn't bad at all.  Essie was in a great mood and loved posing for the camera!  She loved that we let her pick a few dozen daffodils to bring home...she wouldn't put them down!

Balloon Sinusplasty Day 4

Last night I started to feel a bit better after an afternoon nap. Once the hubs got home from work, we went to eat at Panera and pick up a few things at Walmart.  I did pretty well...got a tad bit dizzy at Panera but other than that no real problem.  My sinuses opened a bit and I was able to get a bit of air in.  I slept better last night than I have so far.

This morning I woke up at 6 to take my antibiotic and found my nose to be filled with crusty gunk/dried blood.  It was uncomfortable so I washed it the best I could.  I was able to go back to sleep for a bit until E woke up at 8:00.  I'm still EXHAUSTED today.  I think this  has been the biggest surprise for me.  I didn't expect to feel so tired.  I did drive us to pick up lunch to go and to get the dogs from the groomer.  I've been able to do a little light cleaning but other than that...not been up to much.  I can breathe a bit from my nose and the drainage has slowed down.  I'm still sneezy and tingly in there.  I did accidentally "blow" my nose a bit just out of habit and caught myself.  It didn't' feel good at all so I need to keep reminding myself to not do that.

I've noticed slight progress so far...I can do a little more each day.  I'm hoping to be able to enjoy the remainder of spring break and at least get out this weekend!

Balloon Sinuplasty Day 3

I don't know how people go back to work 2 days after this surgery.  I am too exhausted to even consider it.  I'm very thankful I chose to do this during Spring Break so I have the full week to recover.  Yesterday I was able to go to my yearly OB checkup (the hubs drove me) and we went to lunch.  I was able to sit and eat lunch without too much trouble.  By the time we got home I was exhausted and laid on the couch and watched TV the rest of the day.  That night I did feel up to giving E a bath.  I've not napped during the day and I think that's not helping me.  I should be resting more. 

Today I woke up still sore but not as bad as yesterday.  My muscles still hurt to move (mainly arms, legs, and stomach).  My nose is still completely stuffed and is draining down my throat quite a bit.  I have to cough up stuff often.  It's still blood tinged but not as bright red.  The left side of my nose is much worse than my right and is bleeding a bit still.  It's sore to touch and feels like it's full of gunk. 

I have had no headache at all.  Just sore muscles and sore throat.  I have to fight the urge to blow my nose constantly and I want to sneeze a lot.  I have sneezed several times without any problems. 

Overall I am EXHAUSTED today.  Doctor said the anesthesia would do that to me  in addition to feeling like I have the worse sinus infection ever.  I have to remind myself to take it slow and not rush the recovery.  I'm not sleeping well at night (waking up every few hours) and I need to get more sleep during the day to make up for it.

Balloon Sinuplasty and Turbinate Reduction day 1 and 2

My purpose for writing this post is for anyone out there facing these procedures and are looking for information.  In the months leading up to my surgery I searched and searched for personal accounts of these surgeries with little to no luck.  So I am documenting my recovery for those who are searching!

Day 1: I got to the surgery center at 9 am for my 10:00 surgery.  We checked in, got in the gown, IV started, and answered a trillion questions.  I had to wash my face with castile soap  and then I laid in the preOp for hours waiting to go back.  After a bit the anesthesia guy came in and ordered me a "relaxer" to calm my nerves.  It had little effect beyond a soft calming, sleepy feeling.  I was not goofy or loopy as he had promised.  At about 11:30 my ENT came to the room to chat.  He gave us our instructions and explained exactly what he would be doing.  He also made a few digs at our dumb insurance for not covering the procedure in office and putting me through the whole "real surgery" experience.  At NOON I was wheeled back.  I remember being wheeled back, climbing on the narrow, cold surgical table, looking up and seeing the people above me and thinking I was on an episode of "Gray's Anatomy".  The anesthesia mask came on and I asked "Will this make me sleepy?" And that was it.  The next thing I remember is being in Recovery talking to Jan.  I had apparently been in there for 15 minutes talking with NO recollection of it.  I had apparently complained of a sore throat and she ordered me some Demoral? to take the pain.  Boy it made me dizzy and loopy and thirsty.  Soon my hubs came back and I was made to pee before we could get dressed.  We got dressed and they wheeled me to the car.  I have little recollection of the drive home.

Once I got home I went to bed and dozed off and on for a few hours.  I found it hard to sleep with the gauze moustache they made me wear.  After a bit I got up and tried to eat a granola bar and soup.   I stayed up the remainder of the day and sat in our recliner.  My nose was bleeding out one side quite a bit and down my throat as well.  We had to change my moustache every few hours.  I could breathe through my nose just fine and had very little pain.  I did take my Tylenol 3 every 4 hours as precaution though.

I went to bed super late and slept off and on all night.  I'd wake up every little bit due to the drainage or moustache.  I did sleep a little propped up with a few pillows so I wouldn't gag all night on the drainage.

Day 2: I woke up feeling like I was run over by a truck.  Every muscle in my back, arms, stomach are SO SORE.  I researched this and found it's due to the muscle relaxant they give you during surgery.  I feel like I have worked out like never before.  It hurts to move.  I have a sore throat and my nose is completely clogged now.  The bleeding has slowed and turned from bright red to pink.  I am having a lot of drainage in my throat that causes me to gag/cough it up.  Its bloody and has infection in it as well.  I have very little pain other than the sore muscles.  It's very hard to fight the urge to blow my nose.  I have serious cotton mouth today from only breathing through my mouth. 

Currently I am taking Tylenol 3 as needed, started Cephalexin antibiotic today, Saline spray 6 times a day as well as putting Neosporin inside my nose 3 times a day. 

I feel better than I expected for sure and hope that I continue to heal this way. 

Princesses and Firefighters

We had a pretty fun weekend! Friday right after school, I got E dressed up and her and her bff Lexie got to go to a Princess for a Day fundraiser at a local dance studio.  They danced, learned princess etiquette, had a tea party, made a jewelry box, got their hair, make-up and nails done, and were crowned by a princess.  They had a blast!

Saturday we got to go to our cute cousin Bryce's birthday party. It was a firetruck theme and was sooooo cute.

A "fairy" good Saturday

After being iced in for several days, it sure was nice to have sunny, semi-warm day to get outside.  We started the day off by getting up WAY too early on a Saturday so we could watch Travis run in the Chase Race.  Essie made him a little sign to hold to show support.  We were so proud of him.

Afterwards, we ran errands and cleaned the car out.  Essie rode her bike all around the driveway and we stayed outside as much as possible.  We even put together a fairy garden that we've had sitting around for a year.