My crazy surgery experience

Sunday, December 6 started like just any other Sunday. Woke up late, since its the only day I get to really do that. Wasn't by any means feeling 100 percent, but I could totally say that I felt good enough for the day to move forward.
I got ready for church, and headed to the Hazel Dell building, looking forward to my last fast Sunday in Vancouver.
As I sat in the congregation, my mom looked at me and asked me if I was feeling well. I told her yeah, and she had the look of total concern on her face, looking me in the eye and saying "you look like your getting a fever." I didn't feel bad at all, just a little tired maybe, but not sick. I continued to listen to fast and testimony meeting, before I myself felt the urge to get up and bare my testimony.
As I did, i got very emotional. I poured out my heart and thanked those that meant something to me. I mentioned experiences I have had over the course of the last couple weeks. And in the end, I still did not feel sick in any way.
Once sacrament meeting was over, I headed home to make the final preparations for work, which started at 3:30 for me.
As I drove the 5 or so miles to work, I started to feel a little, just a LITTLE, queezy. Nothing really something that I was going to think to much into. I thought it would just pass over throughout the course of the evening, and continued my drive to work.
I swear, the second I stepped into my place of employment (Van Mall Retirement) it hit me. Like a freight train my stomach started to pound me from inside. I felt like a constant nagging to throw up. As I made my way the front desk, where I was to be planted for the next 8 hours, the feeling only got worse. I was up there for maybe 15 mintues before I had to ask my brother Andy, who also was working that night, to cover the desk for me while I went to the bathroom and tried to vomit. I, of course, kept this from Andy, since that would surely send me home. However, over the course of the hour, I made probably 3 more trips to the restroom, each time leaving without heaving anything up. Sorry for the description, but its necessary for the story!
After these happenings continued, I called my boss and told her my condition. She didnt sound to happy, and rightfully so, but told me she would come in in about an hour. I didn't think I would last that long. In fact, I knew I wouldnt. I had another fellow co-worker cover the desk, and I split.
On the drive home, the feeling in my stomach continued to build and the urge to vomit increased. Unfortunately, a key point so far in the story is, I HAD NOT EATEN FOR OVER 24 HOURS. There was nothing in my system.
I got home around 4:30, and the second I did, I threw my clothes off and headed straight to the bathroom, where I attempted to throw up some more. I was sure, based on my increasing symptom of nausea was becoming more and more prevalent. But, again, to no avail, I headed to bed with all inners staying intact. I was not to happy that my stomach was not cooperating. I went to bed and took a 45 minute or so nap.
When I woke up, I had an agonizing sharp pain in my lower abdomen. The pain was tolerable, but very very uncomfortable.
I again would attempt to release the stuff inside me, but to no success at all. I thought it would be a good idea to maybe "loosen stuff up" by eating something and maybe encouraging it to make its way up lol. I ate about 5 grapes, with a little sip of water, went back and planted myself in front of the toilet, with a blanket and pillow. Eventually, those grapes came up. But that was it.
As the night progressed, many dry heaves were the result of my efforts, along with increasing abdomen pain and more intensely centralized. I call my mom, recently awarded her RN, and asked her where the appendix was located. She told me and mentioned that that was something she never thought of. When she told me the lower right quadrant, and that's when it hit me. This was not a GI issue, this was my appendix. The sharp consistent pain was the give away. I had never experienced this kind of agony and really, dont ever want to again.
After about an hour of going back and forth whether or not to go to the hospital, I finally made the decision that I wanted to go. I was not going to put up with this pain any longer, even if it did mean surgery or just a bunch of pain medicine.
Being on Kaiser insurance (NEVER GET IT IT TOTALLY BLOWS), we had to go to a specific hospital of their choice, which luckily was SWWMC.
We got to the ER at 10:15, I remember looking at the clock to try and see how long this stupid process would take.
We sat in the waiting area for only about 20 minutes. Right when it was about to be my turn, a little baby girl came in bleeding, so naturally she went ahead. I was cool with that.
Went back to the triage nurse, answered some stupid pointless questions of course, and then went and sat back down for another 5-10 minutes or so. Then, we finally were taken back to a room and seen by a doctor. She asked me a few questions, felt my stomach and then ordered a CT scan. Before the scan, they tried giving me an IV, but I was so dehydrated they had to poke about three times to find a good vain. They administered some pain meds, as well as anti nausea meds. I immediately felt the affects, and became very quite and relaxed.
I went back to get a CT scan, only to find out the my IV needed to be RE-placed into my other arm, because again of the dehydration in my body. They finally found a good vein in my right arm, where it stayed for the remainder of my stay.
The results, which came about 20 minutes later, confirmed the presence of appendicitis and that surgery was needed to remove the worthless appendix. I was taken to a room where I would spend the rest of my stay. I was in a room by 12:30 that night. Not bad, considering I entered the ER at 10:15. I was very pleased.
I went to bed that night, with my mom staying the night with me, to watch over me. Great mother! We woke up, both of us, around 6:30 the next morning, Monday. We woke up to a great view of mount hood and eastern Vancouver, with a clear sky looming. It was really a great sight.
Got into surgery at, yeah ironically enough, 10:15 am. The staff was very nice and accomodating to my family and friends that came and visited me. I woke up in the recovery room around 12:30 pm, and slowly made my way up to my room on the eighth floor. I spent the rest of the afternoon receiving guests, from family and friends. I was a little loopy from my medicine, but it was really great to see everyone come and see me on such short notice. Jennifer, my wonderful girl, came and stayed with me until about 1 in the morning, after which I fell asleep pretty quick after she left.
So from 10:15 Sunday night, until 1 am Tuesday morning, I was in the hospital in pain and still kinda surprised. I did not see this coming at all, and really cold not have prevented it.
I was discharged today, Tuesday December 9 around 3:30-4pm, with JR, my great brother in law, picking me up and driving me home.

Overall, it was a very; painful, odd, humbling, annoying circumstance.
Some minor things that also played into the whole situation, I had two finals to take on monday, as well as a quiz. Not to mention, the service of one of my friends was held at 11am on Monday, of which I was not able to attend.
So pretty much, it was the worst possible timing to have my appendix be dumb, and need surgery.

I just want to express extreme gratitude to the staff at SWMC, they were great and very nice to me and my family. They helped me with all my needs and had a great attitude. Also, to all the family that came and saw me, I really appreciate and love you guys.

A weird weekend for me and my body!

Life is Changing

So, I am leaving for Salt Lake City in just over 4 weeks. It is kind of insane to think that this point in my life has FINALLY come. I have been planning this move for over a year now, and its finally upon me. The final countdown is about to begin.

However, during this time of much change, a lot of controversy has overcome me. Do I go to school, or do I take another year off? Do I get a job, or take lots of loans? Do I go to UVU, or somewhere else? Do I even go to Utah, or Idaho, or somewhere else? There are lots of questions running through my mind. Now, let me reassure you, because I know you were wondering, that they are not doubts. Just concerns that I have when I turn this new chapter in my life!

I am excited however, to live with my cousin Josh. We have talked about living with eachother and going to school together since we were little boys. Growing up with Josh has been a great blessing for me, and the foundation we have built not just as cousins but friends, has been awesome. I look forward to the new experiences we will have together and grow as people.

I am excited to see old friends and make new friends. I am excited to make a big step in my life, and follow through with it. I am very excited to just be moving on in my life, instead of just living day to day and taking it for granted. I am taking a risk, and as its been said, "the biggest risk of all is not taking any." I could not agree with that saying more. One will never know what they are missing, if they never try it.

I will miss all my friends in Washington and Oregon. I have made so many great friends here throughout the years, it will be hard to leave. However, I do not intend on leaving you behind. You all have meant so much to me, and will continue to be my friends until the day I die. And even after that too! WHAT A DEAL! I hope that some of you will come and visit me in SLC. It really is a great place. No matter what some may think.

This time is becoming more stressful, but i anticipate that stress will pay off. I cannot wait to begin the "new life" I have in front of me, and hope to live it to its fullest!

Honor Life

One can only do so much

For those they hold so dear

Listen and respond to them

Ease away each and every fear

One day they will answer back

They’ll show you that they care

But what if that day won’t come

Because they say life just ain’t fair

Each time you look into their eyes

Look for the aching in their heart

Pain is hidden in all of us

Waiting for the healing just to start

Unseen is the hand of despair

The awful might of gloomy fate

Can often be directed away

To what is a more friendly state

Loneliness consumes us all at times

It overruns our deepest thoughts

The evil it projects inside our minds

Reflects all our fights we fought

However its power is small

Control is does not need to obtain

With love and compassion from one

Enough to fuel and sustain

A life of love and fulfillment

With friends at each turning way

Can rid us of the evil

That we encounter each and every day

We do not have to shorten

The privilege we have been given

Of life on earth we know so well

A life that we need to must be driven

By friendship and companions

Always at our beckoning call

Ready to aid us in our situation

Ready to pick us up after we fall

When those people are no longer there

We reach out to find another course

And it might not be the best of choices

One that would cause only remorse

A life ending shorter than expected

Is something we cannot bare to feel

Our hearts sink to the lowest pits

An emotion one is not meant to feel

Goodbyes are the hardest things to say

Along with grieving in regret

Of what you wanted to say before

Their soul is one you might forget

Don’t lose the image of those you love

Listen to your hearts impressions

To act upon whatever you feel

Before they meet the next dimension

Death is a barrier between two beings

Closely connected hear in our stay

Communication is not simple

But there is another way

Hold their life in the highest manor

Honor their accomplishments on high

Realize they have done good to you

And don’t forget to say good-bye

Your Smile

Watching as you smile towards me
Makes my heart jump with glee
Listening to your joyful sound
What I’ve looked for I have found

Someone like you to show me the light
The way to stand up and give a fight
You let me into your lonesome world
And all our problems came unfurled

Every time I hold your close beside
There are things I feel I just can’t hide
You lay your head down onto my chest
A moment that has become the very best

Priceless its nature has become
The union of two making one
We can make it through it all
As long as we don’t stumble and fall

Some things happen you can’t explain
The hearts way of losing pain
They happen when you least expect
To find that one you most respect

Almost like you fell into my arms
A person I could do to no harm
A glorious aura I feel so much
Every time your face I touch

With me is where I hope you stay
With each and every passing day
My heart will always jump with glee
When I see your smile towards me

RIP Luke Pearson

Today, I received news that I never thought I would hear in my entire life.

The life of one of my dear high school friends and peers, ended his own life prematurely. Luke Pearson, may you find peace in the place you now lie.

I do not know what made Luke feel so empty, so alone, so completely lost that there was no one there for you. I don't even have any finite details, just speculation and words being spread. But Luke, I do know this. You were a great person. You were a smart thinker. You were are hard worker. You were a dedicated individual. You had a future. You were lively and ambitious. Your personality was sought after. You, Luke Pearson, were my friend.

My prayers, thoughts and sorrows go out to the Pearson family. My heart sinks to hear the news of such a son of God being lost so tragically.

I am so completely confused by this situation, that to try and write something feels almost impossible. I never would have thought Lucas Pearson's life was going so awry that it wasn't worth living. It goes to show that life is fragile. Enjoy your moments with people. You never know if it will be the last time you ever see them again.

Luke, I will always remember our times on the street playing dunk basketball. The times in the winter, where I would come over, we would shovel the snow off of Alex Bergerons driveway just to play ball. You always jumped higher than us both! I still have the dvd you and Alex made of the three of us. The times at your house playing video games upstairs and getting killed. The ping pong battles. Swimming at your house. Not four months ago, playing basketball at the church. Watching you catch your TD pass against Washougal Senior year. Making fun of your Minnesota accent. Mentioning your modeling career at basketball practice.

Luke, we had so many great memories. I only wish there could have been more. I only wish you could have found that missing piece in your life. I only hope you will rest easy now. May the Lord bless you and your family forever! Luke Pearson, Rest in Peace.