Don't mess with Pancreatitis...

So...maybe I have finally learned my lesson, don't ignore pain in your stomach that last more than 4 days! :)
Last Friday, March 6th, I began having a dull ache in my upper abdomen. Over the weekend, I figured it would go away and all would be well. Apparently not. By Tuesday, I headed to my primary physician, who thought it would be best to set up a sonogram for Wed. morning. Naturally...I head back to work and go on with my day as normal. (We had Open House coming up on Thurs., so there was no way that I was going to go home and rest!) While I was typing sub plans at 5 p.m., I finally started getting the feeling that maybe my little stomach pain was not going to last me until Wed. morning. Basically, the pain became worse than contractions, and I knew I was dealing with something more serious.
Now knowing me, I still decided that it would be best to go home, take some Alleve, and wait until Wed. morning to get my sonogram. Sadly, I ended up at the ER by 9 p.m., and admitted to the hospital by 3 a.m. Truly, that was the worst night of my life, I have never been so sick and in so much pain. Honestly though, I thought the ER doctor was joking when he told me that I was diagnosed with Pancreatitis and that the only way you cure it is by not eating.
HUH???? Not eating? Once again if you know me...I wake up thinking about food and go to bed thinking about food! After I had a few days of being doped up on pain medicine and my sonogram on Thurs., they did come to the conclusion that gallstones were causing the problems with my pancreas (thank goodness, since alcoholism is the other leading cause!) The only problem was, I couldn't have surgery on my gallbladder, until my pancreas settled down. So yes, I held out in the hospital until this Sat. to have my surgery, with only a few bites of Jello and apple juice in my system! Truly I think I hate Jello now! LUCKILY, I am back at home and feeling much better, just mostly sore.
Now...who do I have to thank for getting me through this past week. There is no way I could name everyone. I have the best husband (he kept my little Cameron feeling safe and loved...even though there were some hard nights), mom, dad, sisters, son, and friends in the whole world. Thank you for keeping my sane in the hospital, and thank you Abby for the good book to read!
Did I mention that I had Open House this week??? ;) My 2nd grade team and old team member Julie, really saved my life at work this week and took care of everything for me. I couldn't ask for better friends, and I don't know how I could ever repay them.
And last, but not least, thank you God...thank you for getting us all through this week safe and sound and back home safe with each other. You are always there to get us through the ups and downs. For that I am truly thankful.

Especially for Grandpa!

I know Grandpa has been waiting to see the awesome jersey that he bought Cameron for his birthday!
(Dad, you should know that Cameron has taken a lot of heat for wearing this jersey...but he is trying to make his Grandpa proud! He tells everyone that it is "Grandpa's team.")

The Big Bowling Party!

I am finally getting around to posting Cameron's pictures from his birthday party. He had the BEST time that day, and was completely wore out after the party. Of course he still had enough energy to open and play with all of his gifts when he got home! :) I think the best part of the day for me was watching him stare at his Thomas the Train cake for almost an hour. Val brought it home before we went to Main Event, and Cameron couldn't take his eyes off of it! We kept trying to keep the lid on, but Cameron told us he just wanted to look at it until we left. What a nut....
Thank you to everyone who came to share in this celebration with us. I don't know why, but I am really into the "birthday" thing. I am sure I drive Val crazy with all of the planning I put into his party each year, but I want Cameron to have the best memories from his birthday. I guess I see it as such a blessing to have gotten another year with our sweet boy, and I want to celebrate and appreciate the day of his birth with all of our family and friends.