Poor Matthew:

So yesterday Matt decided that he was going to go and donate his Plasma. He did great until they were finished and told him to go sit in another chair. He sat down and his “hearing went fuzzy and his peripheral vision started to blur.” Matt has never passed out before which is just the weirdest thing to me, hasn’t everyone passed out?! Anyway when he came back there were quite a few people standing around him asking him questions like what day it was and where he goes to school… then it went black again. When he came to this time he had lost his lunch all over himself – poor guy. He looked pretty sick when he came to pick me up. They said that it was because he didn’t eat enough before, so Matt says he is going to try it again…

My ER Adventures:

Sorry it has been so long since my last post - I have been a slacker blogger!!

Last Saturday my stomach started killing me. I thought it would just go away, but it seemed to be getting progressively worse. Tuesday night I was in so much pain that I was curled up in a ball, weeping and I couldn't move. The pain was in my lower and upper abdomen, and it had moved into my chest and the right side of my neck?! It had also changed from a dull pain to a stabbing pain. Poor Matt was freaking out and wanted to take me to the ER, but I talked him out of it.

Wednesday it was still hurting, but I went to work and tried to be tough. On Wednesday Matt left to Idaho with his dad and brothers to go fishing... he was really worried about leaving and wanted to stay with me - but I thought everything would be fine so I told him to go. My doctor's office called me back right near the end of the day and said they weren't sure what it was, but that if I was in that much pain again tonight I needed to go into the ER. Wednesday night I was still in quite a bit of pain, but I finally got to sleep after trying everything imaginable! Around 2:30 am I woke up in excruciating pain. After a hot shower and trying to ease the pain, it was still going strong so I decided it was time to go to the hospital around 3:45 am. I got in the car and drove the long distance of 1 block to the ER :)

When I got there they took some blood and a urine test and asked me some questions. Then they gave me an IV but they told me I would need a ride home because they were going to give me Morphine. So I called my sister-in-law Steph and she came from Provo to pick me up at 5 am from the hospital. It was amazing that after a strong dose of Motrin and Morphine through my IV I was tired, but still in a lot of pain. They gave me a prescription for Lortab so Steph drove me back to Provo to the only 24 hour pharmacy in the area and waited while it got filled. Then she brought me home and I slept forever. She had to drive back to Provo to get ready and then drive back to Orem to work!! What an angel huh?

Only problem was, I had an allergic reaction to Lortab and was extremely itchy all over. Steph came and picked me up and took me back to the hospital where we waited 45 minutes for them to write me a prescription (P.S. This is also the same hospital that gave me the wrong wristband, that's a little violation of privacy I think - they make me nervous sometimes.) We got the prescription filled and went to lunch, then she brought me home.

After some convincing I got the radiology dept to get me in for an ultrasound appointment the next day. Steph then came to pick me up at 7 and she drove our car up to the airport to pick up my cousin because I couldn't drive. Then we took my cousin to my sisters in Spanish Fork and then came back here where Steph dropped me off and took her car home... I know - she is a sweetheart huh?

This morning I had to fast because they were doing an ultrasound of my gall bladder and my pelvic area. I was starving just looking at all the chocolate my cousin brought from England... yum! I also had to drink lots of water and hold it. Matt's mom and sister Stacie and my sister-in-law Steph all came with me to the ultrasound to ask questions etc. When we were walking into the hospital I started to feel really sick. By the time we arrived at hospital admitting and sat down I grabbed a garbage can and moved it closer... next thing I knew I lost all the water in my stomach!! It was so embarrassing and I can't remember the last time I threw-up. I was trying so hard to hold it in, but at least I was smart enough to throw-up into something right?

The ultrasound tech said that my gall bladder looks fine, but I have cysts all over my ovaries and tons of fluid in my uterus that shouldn't be there. Apparently I have one cyst on my right ovary and too many to count on my left. One of my ovaries is also enlarged. She thinks the fluid is from cysts that have ruptured - which explains all my pain. I was feeling SO sick afterward, it was ridiculous. All I have been doing is sleeping these last few days. Matt comes home tomorrow, thank goodness!! I have missed him so much!

So this is my story of my medical adventures... I was crying to my mom today saying, "I'm just so SICK of being SICK!!" I know, you are probably all judging me thinking I'm a wimp, but I have been in so much pain. Even the heavy duty narcotics they gave me don't do a whole lot besides make me tired - I'm still in a lot of pain. We are just praying that everything will work out.

My Expensive Hobby:

I had my MRI today. It was quite the experience! I found out last minute that I had to get an IV - this was probably a good thing, or I would have been freaking out about it all day! I was pretty nervous since I've never had one before. He put the entire IV in only to find out it wasn't in my vein... so he had to do it all over again and I still didn't pass out :) I'm pro at this now. Matt was able to come in with me though for the entire thing! It was kind of relaxing being in there though, except I could feel that piece of plastic in my arm the whole time. I'm glad to have it over with and we should have the results by Thursday.

Lots of updates! :)

I've been a horrible blogger lately!! Apologies. Matt and I have been having lots of fun and we have been super busy. This weekend we are having a big family reunion with all of the Purcell's. It has been super fun so far and it's still going on... till Sunday. Other than playing with the family, I've just been enjoying my new job and staying busy - the time flies!

We are planning a family trip to Washington with Matt's family in August to visit family and also to go deep sea salmon fishing... oh and we'll also be staying in Forks for a few days... haha, I know the twilight books aren't real or anything, but it will be kinda cool just to see what it is like there. We will be spending some time in Seattle as well as going to the rain forest and the beach.

We found out on Thursday that I have to get an MRI, it all started with a few blood tests... something with my hormone levels and my pituitary gland... no worries though, it will just be nice to know what is going on. Unfortunately it will cut into the bank account a little as we just got new insurance and our deductible is at 0 :(, but I'm sure it will be worth the peace of mind if nothing else! and I'm sure everything will be fine - just please keep us in your prayers.

Spoil Steph Weekend was last weekend and it was SO much fun!!! I received lots of shopping therapy :) They had a lot of really great sales at the outlets in Park City! I ended up spending about $200, but it all depends on how much you get right? I hit up Nine West - a shoe store, Banana Republic and American Eagle... and I ended up with 3 pairs of capris, 2 skirts, 2 shirts, 2 pairs of shoes, and some jewelry! We also had lots of fun eating out and watching movies.

Today at the family reunion we were able to go to the open house for the new temple in South Jordan, it was amazing!! We decided that it still felt sacred, even though it hasn't been dedicated. I'm so glad that I get to be with Matt forever, this sounds like an understatement - but what a blessing! Oh and the cookies they give you after were really good too :) I'll try and post some pictures of the reunion eventually :)

I was trying to be brave!

So I went to have my blood drawn yesterday morning and I was SO nervous. But I just kept thinking about how brave I was last time and how I didn't pass out and I was determined to do it again. I lasted until after she finished taking my blood... then Matt said I started groaning and my eyes rolled back into my head and I started swaying in the chair. Then I put my head on the little arm rest thing in front of me and out I went. When I came back there were puddles of sweat underneath my forehead and forearms... isn't that weird?! Seriously... PUDDLES! I always pass out, but that was a first! I don't know what the deal is. Anyway I felt so bad for Matt, he was pretty worried. Maybe next time I can be more brave... haha.

Thanks!

I just wanted to say thanks to everyone for your concern and advice on the health update. I went to the doctor yesterday morning. Matt was so sweet to go with me and it was good thing he did... I'm going to try a few different things and the doctor gave me two prescriptions. He gave me some pamphlets, a glucometer for my hypoglycemia and wanted to do a blood test... see I have issues in this area. I'd only had my blood taken once before and I passed out, they had to lay me down and draw more from the other arm. The few times I've had my finger pricked I've also either passed out or come really close. I also pass out when I get flu shots or immunizations. And now... they wanted to draw some blood and run some tests. I warned them of my history and so they had me lay down while they did it. I was holding on to Matt for dear life - poor guy... whilst I passed in and out of consciousness. I was breathing so hard and couldn't relax so she had to take from two different veins... I'm getting light headed just thinking about it! She kept trying to ask me questions.. which I refused to answer because I was too busy freaking out and blacking out. She wasn't able to get very much because I was hyperventilating.... but it was enough to run the tests. I don't know why I am so bad with this... I keep thinking I'll get over it...

This morning we decided we should test my blood sugar, but I couldn't do it to myself so I turned Gilmore girls on to distract me while Matt read the instructions. I then gave him my hand and told him to just do it while I wasn't looking. I guess I moved my finger a little because I felt it but it didn't bleed. But at this point I was starting to see stars again so I wouldn't let him try again. So that was the end of that and I am seriously getting close to passing out just writing about it. I decided if I was diabetic I would die because I couldn't test my blood or give myself shots. So there you have it - Im a wimp in this area... I always have been. I still freak out a little at the dentist when they give me the shot and I may or may not have punched the dentist who removed my wisdom teeth... :) But anyway that was my experience at the doctors and now I'll just be trying a few different things to see what works best. Thanks for your love and support - it really means a lot.

Health Update:

I've been having some health issues lately. We aren't really sure what is wrong yet. I'm pretty sure I'm hypoglycemic but there is something more because I get sick every time I eat too. So basically, if I don't eat about every hour I get nauseated and faint, but every time I eat my stomach hurts. Sometimes it's such a sharp pain that I have to stop what I'm doing and bend over. I'm thinking I might be lactose intolerant or have stomach ulcers or a parasite...? The worst part about it is that we don't know what is wrong... it's easier to have answers... and solutions. Right now we just know I'm sick and that I'm losing a lot of weight quickly... If you have any answers or experience please let us know! Luckily I have a dr's appointment in Jan but we are trying to get in sooner.

On a happier note :) - we were lying in bed last night and Matt says, "I'm so excited for tomorrow!" I say, "Why?" (expecting a normal response). Matt says, "'Cause I get better lookin' every day." (I guess that is the expected response for Matt ;)) It just made me laugh. :) We are done our Christmas shopping and we are getting really excited for Christmas! Merry Christmas! xx

Thursday Date Night:

First Stop: Mulligans Miniture Golf :) Matt and I went here on one of our first dates last November - Luckily it was a little warmer this time around :) We had fun just goofing around and we were the only ones there so that was kind of fun. I think the best moment was when my ball hit Matt's out of the way and I made a hole in one! :) Matt calls it cheating - I call it skill (or luck - either one) ;)

Matt and his wicked putt ;)

This is my golf pose - I really just liked the cool bench ;)

The sun was setting and the mountains looked really cool.

After golfing we went shopping to get me some new jeans and running clothes for winter. We had luck with the jeans - but not with the running clothes unfortunately.

After shopping we came home, took some cookies to our friends, and played Jenga:

This is a distraction tactic... take pictures of your opponent so they can't concentrate...

The Jenga face

Getting taller!

And taller!

This picture was taken a few turns before it fell... I made it fall :( - it made a really loud noise on the glass table and scared me half to death! We were surprised how tall it got!
Then we took some time to watch a little TV - eat snacks and read before going to bed :) It was a fun night :)
We have a fun weekend planned - so hopefully I'll have some more to blog about on Monday. Matt woke up feeling really sick - so here's hoping he gets better in time to partay this weekend!

Fillings and Head Aches...

So I failed to mention that last Wednesday when I got my hair done in South Jordan I also made a small trip to the dentist... by small I mean 3 hours and 3 fillings later... haha And I have another in a couple weeks for 2-3 more... Fun huh? I don't know why I have so many cavities - bad teeth I guess - thank goodness for dental insurance!!! I seriously brush at least twice , sometimes three times a day, floss and use a fluoride gel. Anyway when I went to get the first 3 done they did two on the top right and one on the top left. The right side of my face was so numb that my eye and nose were numb! It looked really funny when I tried to smile too. Now they are REALLY sensitive... every time I eat/drink something cold or hot or sweet.
Since yesterday morning I have had this splitting head ache. I don't think I have ever had a head ache this bad. It is just on the left side of my head and it is a strip of pain from the back of my head, over my ear and up to my forehead. It is always there in a weak state, but every once in a while it just THROBS! It was so bad last night that it would wake me up and I would be in pain for a few minutes before I could fall back to sleep. Today I started thinking about it and I wondered... do you think the sensitivity in my teeth could have anything to do with this constant head ache? Anyway - sorry for my ranting I'm just a little sick of being sick... I also must mention that I have had a cold for almost (on Friday) 4 weeks!!!! Seriously... so you can understand my frustration :)

New Kind of Breast Cancer:

I just have to post this to make you aware or this new kind of breast cancer... go to this website to read about it. When it first starts out it looks like a mosquito bite - but it is one of the most aggressive cancers out there!

Update :)

So we have been doing a lot of fun stuff lately... but haven't really had the opportunity to take a whole lot of pictures :)

Last Friday night we went to a BBQ with some of the Purcell/Palmer family at Matt's cousin Brandon and his wife Brooke's house. It was fun to see everyone and watch the Olympics.

Saturday I had to go to the eye doctor :P I paid a good $75 to have him tell me that I still have the same prescription of -3.75... duh! I just wanted new contacts, I don't understand why I have to get them checked every year! I decided from now on I'm buying a year supply then going in right before it expires I'm going to go in and buy another year supply :) Haha I tricked them.

Saturday night we had Matt's parents and Michael over for dinner and to watch the Olympics. We had a lot of really good food and just enjoyed watching the Olympics together.

Sunday I was sick sick sick all day :P Sunday night Steph came over to watch a chick flick and eat chocolate chip cookies :)

Monday I went to work for a little while till I had to go the doctors where they did some tests and treated me like I was stupid cause they came back negative. Monday night we had FHE groups at our apartment. Matt didn't really understand this since it seemed like something we did in singles ward - but it was actually really fun.

Tuesday I went to work again... but my symptoms had gotten worse and I now had a fever so I called the doctors to set up a follow up appointment... I felt kind of stupid to go in again since they obviously thought I didn't know what I was talking about... but sure enough it was positive... I showed them! Anyway they gave me the prescriptions I needed and sent me on my way.... needless to say I'm feeling better finally :)

Tuesday night we had Matt's friend Mary from high school over for dinner with her husband Bryant - it was SO much fun :) The food was good and it was fun to sit around and visit and make dessert together. I took a bath and went to bed early :)

Wednesday after work I went grocery shopping - I HATE grocery shopping :) I love cooking and good food though so I guess it's a necessary evil :P Then I went to see sisterhood of the traveling pants 2 with Steph (She is Matt's brothers wife that lives 5 doors down :)). We got our tickets and everything and went to the theater. We walked into the theater and sat down and started talking till the previews would start... I thought this was a little weird cause I didn't think we were early. When the previews started there was no sound... someone went out to tell them there was no sound and came back to say that they said that only the previews wouldn't have sound - annoying. Anyway so we sat and watched silent previews till a preview came on for the movie we were going to see... we thought that was a little weird... then Steph said - "are you sure we are in the right theater?" I didn't know I was following her! haha so I leaned over and asked the lady next to me what movie we were seeing... "Mama Mia" she said. Oops! So we found the right theater and were a little late, but it was such a cute movie. I love those movies - so cheesy and girly but amazing :)

Tonight we are going to the temple and probably ice cream or something afterwards. We are really excited for this weekend because we have some fun plans with family and it is our last weekend before school starts on Wednesday the 27th. I'm taking Monday and Tuesday off work to enjoy my last few days of freedom :) I'm actually getting really excited and I talked Matt into going school shopping with me in Park City :) So hopefully I'll take lots of pictures this weekend and have a few more updates for you :)

Our Weekend :)

So our weekend wasn't EXTREMELY exciting, but it was a fun weekend :) Friday night I had a horrible headache so after dinner I ended up falling asleep for a bit, but I woke up and Matt and I watched Minority Report. Matt got ANOTHER sore throat!!! It's not as bad the the strep he had 2 weeks ago, but poor guy just keeps getting sick! I must have a strong immune system cause I never get it!...knock on wood! :) Anyway Friday night sleeping was a nightmare! Matt was restless and all we wanted was to sleep in. Around 5 am I got up and got Matt a drink, then the people below us turned on their bathroom fan... not a big deal right? Ha! You have to hear this fan! It sounds like a generator and vibrates our bathroom floor! Sleep was hopeless! Poor Matt was sick and couldn't even sleep! On top of the loud fan there was this strange music... I didn't say anything cause I thought I was just crazy till Matt said, "Is it just me or do you hear Harry Potter music?" Haha that was it! It was some strange bell noise and I couldn't put my finger on it. Matt said it was xylophone. Friday we just kind of hung around the apartment. Matt looked through the recipe books and picked some meals that he wanted this week. Then I did one of the things I hate most... Grocery Shopping! :P I'm not sure why I hate this so much... maybe it's the screaming children or the people who are oblivious and almost run you over with their carts. Maybe it's the long lines or that I always go when I'm hungry which makes me nauseated... but I hate it none the less. But it was ok cause I got to come home and play with Matt. We played video games and Matt was showing me how to play his college football game on the XBOX - it was actually really fun and we won with me getting a couple touch downs and good hits :) Then we played Halo for a bit and I killed Matt and couple times... only to find out he let me... I guess I already knew but I wanted to think I was kind of good :) haha It started raining really hard and their was lightening and thunder puddle - this is our favorite! We stood out side on the balcony for a while just watching the storm. There was a huge in our parking lot so I talked Matt into going down to play in it with me, then we rinsed our feet off in the bath tub - I LOVE THE RAIN!!! Then we watched Hitch - such a funny movie! haha Then we went to bed. Sunday morning poor Matt was sick again! :( I got up and started dinner, I marinated the chicken and set the rolls out to rise. Then I went to church. When I got home I finished dinner. I made scalloped potatoes... from scratch :) Then I made a really good salad and cooked the rolls and the chicken. We had chicken salad, rolls and scalloped potatoes and got really full :) Then we relaxed and watched the Olympics. The relay race was AWESOME! SO close and it was so good to smash the French after their trash talk! :) It impacted me so much that Matt heard me talking in my sleep last night about Michael Phelps... haha how random? So all in all it was a fun weekend despite my ill husband :)

Our Crazy Weekend...

So Matt hasn't been feeling very well and we are pretty sure he has Strep Throat - poor guy :( So after work on Friday I wasn't feeling well either. After dinner we went to lie down - probably around 6:30 pm and we slept till 1 am. Then we woke up and partied and watched 24 till 5 am then we went back to sleep. I slept till about 9 am and Matt slept till 11. I got all ready while he was sleeping and then we started the laundry. I decided to start breakfast while Matt was getting ready. Breakfast burritos were the dish of choice. I started by cracking eggs, grating cheese and cutting onions... and then it happened. I got a big, brand new, sharp knife from the knife block and began to gleefully cut my onions... until the onion ended and my finger began... then I wasn't so gleeful. I screamed, grabbed my finger and put it under the faucet. Matt came running to help and took me to the bathroom where I nearly passed out a few times. I had to hold a paper towel on my finger and hold it above my heart for an hour before the bleeding stopped enough to bandage it. I made Matt do it and not tell me anything about what it looked like. As soon as he was done bandaging it he asked if he could tell me so I let him. I knew it was pretty bad because of the pain, and Matt said he believed me when I said it hurt. I actually cut the tip of my finger off. We weren't able to find the chunk I sliced off so we think it got washed down the drain in the kitchen. We had to change the dressing once and I asked to see it, but Matt said I didn't want to see it. So it has been the sick taking care of the wounded at our house today. I felt light headed for a while after from the loss of blood and it still hurts... do fingers grow back? haha I think it will be ok Matt said it was about 1 cm that got chopped from my left ring finger. So that has been our crazy weekend :) We have been pathetic today just laying around and doing nothing. But we have lots to look forward to! Next weekend we are going to South Jordan and Salt Lake to celebrate Matt's birthday with our families. Matt and I will also celebrate our 3 month anniversary. Matt's birthday is August 5th and he will be 23 :) I have lots of surprises planned - so stay tuned! :) Well that's all for now!

Matt's Surgery:

:( Matt got surgery Yesterday. Here is about how the day went:

2:00 AM: I stayed up till two in the morning the night before getting ready and packing to stay in Salt Lake for a few days. I set my alarm for 4 AM so I could get ready and finish packing before picking Matt up at 5:30 so we could get to his parents at 6:30 for a blessing and then get to the hospital by 7:00 AM.

4:00 AM: Still sleeping...

5:00 AM: Still sleeping...

6:30 AM: Phone call from Matt wakes me up
(he slept in too), I freak out... you know that feeling when you know your really really late and your still half asleep... I HATE that! My sweet roommate hears me freak out and gets dressed and starts running around for me.

6:40 AM: I pick Matt up and we head for Salt Lake... we will have to go without the blessing and meet his dad at the hospital.

7:30 AM: Arrive at the hospital an fill out paper work.

7:40 AM: They take us back into a room to prep Matt for surgery and put his IV in.

8:30 AM: Matt Changes into his funny hospital gown and the nurse attempts... twice to stick him with an IV. Matt was fine... He wasn't really nervous or anything. I was on the verge of tears... and I passed out. Then they got another nurse and she got him, but she didn't have enough pressure and blood squirted all over the sheets. :P

9:30 AM: The doctor took Matt away and I cried, I was SO scared! Matt's dad took me to get breakfast in the hospital cafeteria so I wouldn't pass out again.

10:15: The doctor came into the lobby and talked to Matt's dad and I. He said the surgery went well. They could see the exact problem. His Ulnar nerve was compressed to about half it's normal size between the ligament and the bone. He cut the ligament to release it.

10:30: We finally got to go see him... after the general anesthetic he was wide awake! I was surprised. They went over how to take care of him and I went and got the car. They rolled him out in a wheel chair... hehe. His dad went to fill his prescription and I took him home. Matt was feeling really nauseated after the anesthetic. He had been NPO (nothing by mouth) but they had giving him some Dr. Pepper and a bag to throw up in... it was a good thing too.

So for the rest of the day I just got to take care of him. I made him jell-o and fed it to him since the surgery was on his right arm. Then he wanted Macaroni and cheese. He was sleeping lots so he actually let me pick the movie since he wouldn't be watching it... I picked Father of the Bride II. Then he picked and we watched Casino Royal, Robin Hood- the cartoon, Seinfeld and Behind Enemy Lines. I think he was feeling a lot better by last night... he didn't take anything for the pain yesterday because he didn't have any pain. They gave him a local anesthetic after the surgery. His right hand is at LEAST twice as big as his left. He is so fun to take care of though and it just makes me realize even more how much I love him. :)