Hello wonderful readers!
Yes, I know it's been a while. A long while. It's actually been over a month.
Sorry about that!
So here's why it's been so long: For the longest time, my computer wouldn't pull up a webpage. It would connect to wifi, but nothing would come up on the internet. My computer became "corrupted". Exact words of the Geek Squad representative. Meaning it had six viruses. So lots of money and time later and a complete reboot and reinstallation, my computer is finally fixed and here I am. Watching So You Think You Can Dance and typing this blog.
I guess you guys need an update. Because let me tell you, there is so much to tell.
Last time I wrote, I had only been out of the hospital for maybe two weeks. Well it has been almost two months since I broke free, which just baffles me completely. So I was continuing with the TPN and basically just hanging out. Incredibly bored. Family was in and out of Florida trying to keep me busy but it was still annoying to be tethered to a leash for 14 hours a day. Scheduling everything around the TPN.
On June 18th, I went to see Dr. Iqbal. I was very nervous and anxious about this one because it really was the moment of truth. Either I was told I could eat and was free and finished or I would have to have another surgery. As you can imagine, I was quite quiet on the two hour drive to the hospital. I went in for the CT scan and everyone in radiology was hoping I'd hear good news. Then I made the walk across the hospital to wait for the news. Whether it was good or bad, I had accepted it. I knew the news was meant to happen and that I'd get through it no matter what it was.
The doctor walked in and smiled. And honestly I didn't know if it was a good smile or a bad one. It was one of "those" smiles. It could have gone either way.
And then he opened his mouth and at first I didn't really understand what he said. It was like a whisper in my head. Its like it went way over my head and he could have said just about anything. I just completely blocked it out. It was that kind of moment.
I looked at my mom and her mouth was wide open. Almost shocked. Then I saw her smile and said, "Wait can you repeat that?" The doctor laughed and said, "To me, it looks like the scan is completely clear."
Hold up. What? How is that possible? Less than a month ago I had two build-ups of fluid and you were sorta pessimistic about having another surgery. The leak was just there.
Well apparently EVERYTHING healed itself. The pockets of fluid went away. The leak was gone. Everything he had issues with only three weeks before was completely gone. I had ample amounts of intestine left so I wouldn't have issues with short gut. And my blood work (overall) looked really great.
He told me he would put in the orders to follow-up with both my Gainesville GI and my St. Augustine GI. He also said he would contact the home health company and tell them that I only needed one more week of TPN, one more blood work follow-up, and then the nurse could take my PICC line out of my arm. He gave me permission to go back to school and he said I could go home if I wanted to. Most importantly...I COULD EAT.
Then he shook my hand and I looked at my mom again. I looked back at him and I said, "Wait, I'm done with you?" And he gave me that all-knowing smile and said the magical words. "You are done with me." And don't worry...I told him to expect a non-disclosure form in the future when I write my book (since so many of you have said I need to write one).
And then I went home and ate some tomato soup! Wow was it delicious. I know it isn't the most glamorous first food to eat, but trust me, it was exactly what I wanted. Plus I've gotta take it slow. But as of now, I've eaten a whole lotta chicken, some beef (only once so far), fruits without seeds, limited veggies, and lots of protein shakes. It's been a dream come true.
So after I had my Remicade infusion the following week, my home health nurse came over and pulled that sucker out and I was FREE AT LAST! No more leash. I've never slept so good in my life. You never realize how horrible your sleep is when you are constantly hooked to something and listening for a beep at any moment. Maybe that's why I was so tired all the time. Who knows...
My mom and I packed the car the following morning and headed back to Fort Mill. We've been here for ten days and go back to Florida tomorrow. My aunt and cousin are coming to visit my mom and I in Florida for a vacation. Then I have my follow-up with my Gainesville GI next Tuesday. After that, I will come back to Fort Mill for a few weeks and then I will return to Florida by myself (for the first time in five months!!) and be there when my new roommate moves in (who just happens to also be a Celiac...crazy coincidence, right?). Then school starts on August 31st and I will be completely back to my normal!
My, how it's been quite the journey. And I want to thank everyone for everything. To the people in Fort Mill who donated money to my family. To the people who cooked dinner for my family. To the substitutes and my mom's school friends who covered for her at school. To the family that called all the time. To the people who wrote me and sent me gifts and cards. To the people who prayed and prayed hard. And to all of you reading this right now. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for you. Really and truly. I appreciate you so very much.
And don't think this is the end of the blog. I started this to update everyone, and just because everything is almost back to normal, doesn't mean I won't update you. I would like to think that this blog will turn into a lifestyle blog so that I can reach even more people, but we shall see. The end goal is to write a book, but let me graduate grad school first and get a job. Then I will have even more to write about.
Last but not least...my final total.
Days on TPN: 141
Days without food: 143
WHOA. That's almost five full months!
Love you guys with all my heart!
XOXO,
Kayleigh
