#OutofCommission was on Medical Emergency

Hello, December! (It feels so good to be able to say that albeit very late!) I hope everyone is having a wonderful Christmas Time. It’s so good to be back!

November was crazy (the worst kind of crazy!)…I hope not to bore you with so much details since I was keen on not to talk about horrible bad stuff in my blog, but reading about others’ experiences helped me so much, so I hope to be able to do the same. Oh well, life!

For November, we had two trips to the Emergency Room of The Medical City, one because of my son, while the other lead to my admission from Partial Small Bowel Obstruction secondary to Post-Op Adhesions. (And behold, it earned us a Platinum Membership in TMC. Shocks!)

Anyhow, thankfully it resolved after that dreaded NGT (Nasogastric Tube) insertion. Reason from the obstruction was post-op adhesions from my C-Section Operation 9 years ago. Surprise! It was very sudden as there were no notable episodes before that time. Although, now that I think of it, the symptom was something I experienced once in a while, but I always associated it with Urinary Tract Infection. It basically felt like cramping a la dysmenorrhea. Only last time, it went up from the pelvis area to the stomach, felt worse than labor pains, plus I was nauseated the whole time and had several episodes of vomiting. Pain started 5 pm, by 10 pm, I had to be rushed to the ER.  I had to stay in the hospital for 4 days.

In the span of 4 Days, I had blood works done, urinalysis, pre and post abdominal x-ray, and a lengthy CT-Scan procedure with an IV contrast, which all showed that there was a partial block in my small intestine. Conservative treatment required bowel rest, meaning NPO, no food and liquid should be taken orally, and then NGT, or else Surgery. The NGT worked like black magic, so yes, I felt better, and had to condition myself to meet all the requisites of recovering without the need of surgery (meaning passing gas, bowel movement, urinating, not nauseated, etc.) I was crazy bloated the whole time, and a couple of days after discharge.

After the NGT, I was allowed to go on liquid diet, the soft liquid, and quick try of full diet, I had to be able to tolerate it and do all the requisites I mentioned. What helped hasten my recovery while in the hospital were the Peppermint Tea, Yoga’s Child Pose, and a lot of walking in place. Haha. (Plus Smith’s Rosebud Salve…I had the worst episodes of chapped lips ever, by Day 5, kissable lips are back…and I’m back home! ;-D)

The experience made me revisit my lifestyle. I’m compelled to diet eat healthier, and to exercise. Soon, I will commit myself to do yoga. 2 weeks, I’m 8 pounds lighter, because I have to take my sweet time eating, (and no buffet for life!). Waah! I’m still on a low residue diet or low fiber diet, and I’m still avoiding pork and beef. Although doctors, after a week, already gave me may-go-back-to-normal-life minus cheat days overeating! I’m still paranoid, I was specifically worried eating a full serving of rice and pasta. Last time, I ate a serving of pasta, worrying so much lead me to think I’m having tummy pains again. #WorrywartMuch So meantime, I’m taking it slowly but surely. To supplement my other nutrient requirements, instead of always soup, I drink Vanilla Herbalife Shake for breakfast. And I drink overflowing Peppermint Tea (I like the Mint Tea of The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf) all day long. Plus massage therapy. Yay! I now have reasons to treat myself with a message once or twice a week.

It’s a life changing experience. My doctors say there is no real cure, no prevention, and yes, it can recur anytime! Aissh! Shocking! But with a grateful heart, I look forward to espousing a healthier lifestyle…no cheat daysss! Sad news, it meant giving up on some of my fave Seoul-ful food, and yes no buffet! But my goodness, I hope NOT to meet my surgeon ever! So better safe than sorry.

That’s all!

To my readers, and my PR friends, please don’t go away. After this, I hope to be able to talk of only happy, girly, Seoul-ful stuff! Have a wonderful Christmas Time! Cheers! ^_^