moosh in indy.

June 11, 2009

Hi Internet.

How are you?

Me? I’m still kind of having a rough time. Cody has started studying hardcore for the bar, it should be against the law to study 12 hours a day for two months straight for ONE TEST.

But that’s just my opinion.

I have my house, but after having the utilities turned on to have it inspected, a pipe blew up somewhere in the ceiling and rendered a light fixture and bathroom fan makeshift water fountains. HURRAH FOR HOME OWNERSHIP!

(As an aside, the bathroom fan, when there is no shower to void humidity, what purpose does the fan truly serve? Is it to cover up noises? Or suck smelly air out? Because personally I think they suck at the latter. I could give examples but I just ate.)

Here’s the other thing. I have to have real surgery. Like I’m going to be konked out and have to sign release waivers and have things cut into me. My belly specifically. The next step to project moosh 2.0 is to factory reset my uterus with a good deep cleaning via a laparoscopy (lappa-ross-kuppy).

I’m kinda scared.

They call it a “microinvasive” surgery. Regardless, it has the word INVASIVE in it and invasions are never good, unless it’s the invasion of lots of money into my bank account, or cheeseburgers into my mouth.

I’ve only been knocked out once for my wisdom teeth and I remember McSalad Shakers being the last thing I heard as I drifted under.

But this? I’m going to wake up after having stuff shoved in my belly. Sharp stuff. My uterus will have been roto rooted. That can’t feel good right? I had one friend who had a laparoscopic procedure done and their exact words?

“Oh, just feels like I’ve been STABBED IN THE STOMACH FIVE TIMES.”

eep!

And then there’s all these rumors of gas escaping out of your shoulders.

hold me!

Plus I watched Dateline years ago where they covered the whole topic of anesthesia working on your body but not on your mind. (Called anesthesia awareness, there’s an entire campaign. So don’t tell me it’s made up, if there’s a campaign? I have reason to be nervous.)

So basically you’re frozen stiff and everyone thinks you’re asleep but in reality you’re awake and can FEEL AND HEAR EVERYTHING.

I’m not allowed to watch Dateline anymore for a plethora of reasons, this one included.

Okay.

So.

There you go.

Busted pipes both in my ceiling and in my abdominal cavity.

June 23rd, a uterine factory reset is scheduled.

Good times!

Comments off.

I think you’ll be just fine… Only 1 in 1 million (or something like that) experience that whole anesthesia awareness thing…

Just think- if that happened to you, you would have an amazing story to blog about.

Casey Reply:
June 11th, 2009 at 9:47 pm

@Marla,
Dude, you’re such a blogger. Because only we would look forward to one in a million things happening so we have something to write about.

1. I believe the fan is code. I also believe it’s to suck gas out – seriously.

2. You are going to do great. Additionally, you know I am there for you – in more ways than one.

~emily

Casey Reply:
June 11th, 2009 at 10:26 pm

@DesignHER Momma, what are you, an architect or something? And when you say gas, you mean food baby by-products right? Not that I know anything about them.

You’ll be fine, but expect some serious pain when recovering (depending on how big the incision is). I was stunned at how painful my c-section was for the first week (and equally stunned the second time around b/c I thought I had developed super-mom powers that made me impervious to pain – I was wrong). Just think about the possible outcome and it will make anything seem okay. Good luck!

ah baby. my bff just had this last year. I know yr going to be fine. She was. but- uck. I am praying for you. xo

Dude, busted pipes? Oh how much fun! At least there will be no “breach” by a rottweiler in heat, haha. As for your procedure, be confident that you’ll be surrounded by lots of well-established professionals. Who can also prescribe pain meds. Lots of pain meds if necessary! (I speak from experience)

Yeah so low-scale amusement parks are off your list too, right? Thanks for the heads up Dateline.

Casey Reply:
June 11th, 2009 at 10:23 pm

@Ohh Betsy, as well as talking to any strangers on the internet and inviting them over to my house.

Ohh Betsy Reply:
June 11th, 2009 at 10:29 pm

@Casey, Now who are you going to go bowling with? Damn you Dateline.

Casey Reply:
June 11th, 2009 at 11:26 pm

@Ohh Betsy, I heard CraigsList had a good list of “bowling” companions…

I have had this exact surgery, and trust me you will be fine! I am a worrier too, but it was really not as bad as I thought. Routine cleaning! Awesome house, by the way. A house like that in our area would easily be 350,000. So jealous of all that space.

Don’t get too worried about the surgery. I’ve had laparoscopic surgery (but not that particular one, granted) and was up and around and feeling great in no time. Don’t watch dateline ever…those kinds of shows just sit around thinking up things to freak people out.

Honey, you know I have had one…it sucks, I won’t lie. The worst part is the shoulder pain from the gas…I could handle recovering from the incisions…but the shoulder…oi…had to sleep semi-upright for DAYZ! I wish I could fly, cuz you know I would be right there nursing you back to health. Love you, glad your doc is being proactive, a very good sign.

Casey Reply:
June 11th, 2009 at 10:24 pm

@Kimmie, You’re the one I’d want here. Mostly because you tell the truth and you’re generous with the comfort food. xoxo

I had a lap in October. I’ll be honest, the first couple of days really stunk. The worst part of my pain was the biggest incision which had to be extended to remove my ovary and needed deep internal stitches. I would get a twinge from that for a good six weeks after surgery. The gas escaping from the shoulders thing is true and the best relief for that was found via walking and a massage. Be diligent with icepacks on the incisions, drugs around the clock for the first few days, and um, don’t expect your pants to fit for a couple of weeks.

To be honest, I was a little bit cavalier about the pain. I had had a vertical incision laparotomy two years earlier and it took FOREVER to recover from that and nothing could be that bad. It wasn’t THAT bad, but it wasn’t the cakewalk I had hoped for. I was back at work in a little over a week and traveling for work at 2.5 weeks without any problems. Oh, and my doctor let me see pictures of my guts which was AWESOME. Make sure you ask for pictures!

OH, about that anesthesia thing, I asked the anesthesiologist about that and he assured me that it’s beyond rare and most hospitals never, ever see a case of it.

Casey Reply:
June 11th, 2009 at 11:03 pm

@Nic, That almost makes me feel better.

Good luck! I think the main issue with lap surgery is that since the visible incision(s) are so small, people don’t realize that your body has suffered a major systemic insult, and you must rest and be kind to yourself, even if you just have a couple of band aids to show for it. So people often overdo too soon, and then pay the price.

Casey Reply:
June 11th, 2009 at 11:04 pm

@s.a., Oh believe me, I’m an expert in taking it easy after medical procedures. Including and not limited to dental cleanings.

Gas through your shoulders? Huh?

Casey Reply:
June 11th, 2009 at 11:05 pm

@Midwest Mommy, They fill your abdomen with air to get a better look at your insides, the air has to escape somehow, and apparently it happens through your shoulders.

I just absolutely freaked over a very minor surgery so I’d be wigging too.

My mom had this done when she was dealing with endometriosis. (I think I’m spelling that wrong.) She said it was uncomfortable but not horriblehorriblehorrible. But I will be sending you brave thoughts. So sorry you’re going through all this.

Casey Reply:
June 11th, 2009 at 11:06 pm

@Maria, So maybe it will only be one horrible? Because a triple horrible would probably kill me.

So when they do the reset, will it delete all of your other junk files, too? This could be a good thing. For instance, you won’t remember all of the other hours Cody has spent studying and you’ll have a newfound tolerance for studying for the bar.

Seriously. The bar exam? I’d rather have open-heart surgery than go through that again.

In other words, I’ll be praying for you, but my prayers may be a little lopsided because oy! I hate the bar exam. …plus, I have total faith in the moosh 2.0 project.

Casey Reply:
June 11th, 2009 at 11:19 pm

@Megan {Velveteen Mind}, Yeah, if that were possible you and I would have had THAT surgery long ago. Alas I’m pretty sure the only thing that could fix that is a serious brain injury.

Jumping Jellyfish! Ouch! Thanks for explaining I was totally confused, lol.

I wish I could be there. Instead, I’ll be sending you lots of love and begging Cody to take videos of you all incoherent like from the anesthesia. It’s because I love you…. really.

xoxoxoxoxoxo

Dood. Sorry to hear you’re going under, but let’s hope it’s totally worth it in the end. Moosh 2.0 is as good a reason as any.

I’ve had a lapro and the first word that came to mind when I was reading your post is “gas”… that really was the worst part. Ugh, just thinking about it makes my back hurt. And be prepared for your belly to be super bloated for days.

But again, you’ll do great!

Casey Reply:
June 11th, 2009 at 11:20 pm

@punkinmama, So you’re saying I shouldn’t pack the maternity clothes away just yet?

punkinmama Reply:
June 12th, 2009 at 3:34 pm

@Casey, They may come in handy! Sometimes I wish I could still get away with those pants with the panels… ugly, yes, but very comfy!!

All kinds of busted pipes in your neck of the woods.

Dude.

And staying away from Dateline? Probably a good call.

At least you found the funny in it, love.

I’ll be sending my angels to protect you on June 23rd. (Yes, I believe in angels. Heh.)

Casey Reply:
June 11th, 2009 at 11:21 pm

@VDog, I do too. Just make sure they’re frumpy angels. I don’t need to feel inferior by a bunch of divine creatures.

Sorry you have to have a factory reset…but I’ll be thinking and hoping for success and no pain for you!!

Oh hon, I think you’ll do well with this. You’ve recovered from having a baby – you can handle this.

You know, Columbus is a hop, skip and jump away from Indy. Want me to come hold your hand and serve as a translator between you and the medical folks? I’m completely willing if you’d like.

PS – The gas doesn’t actually go up to your shoulders. It’s a referred pain due to the air irritating nerves in the abdomen. (The phrenic nerve, to be specific.) Due to the way the nervous system is laid out, the pain often radiates to the shoulder.

Casey Reply:
June 11th, 2009 at 11:22 pm

@Christina, You’re such a nurse. And if you want to come? You’re more than welcome, but more so you can record me coming out of anesthesia with a flip. Because that? Should be priceless.

Two points:

1. My cousin is an anesthesiologist and he has been for several years. I asked him about this awake but frozen business and he said he has never, ever seen that happen, and has never heard of it happening at his hospital (one of the largest in Seattle). So don’t worry! You will get the good drugs and they will totally work.

2. I will send some good thoughts in your direction regarding the laparoscopy. My sister had one of those, and now I have a 14 year old nephew. Also, I think I can speak for all of us when I say that the world could definitely use another one of your crazy-awesome kids.

Casey Reply:
June 11th, 2009 at 11:23 pm

@Corinne, Can your cousin come do the honors? I like his odds.

Ok, this probably isn’t going to help at all, but that anesthesia awareness thing totally happened to me. I woke up during my wisdom tooth extraction (they did all 4 at once, and I was supposed to be knocked out). The nurse looked at my open eyes, said, “Oh no!” and cranked up the gas, and I passed back out.

I didn’t feel anything, and it wasn’t scary. It’s just a cool story I tell, now that anesthesia awareness is getting attention. Even if it happens to you (and it’s rare), it won’t necessarily be painful or traumatic.

Looking forward to Moosh 2.0! Best of luck for the roto rooting and everything that follows. Hugs!

Welcome to the wonderful world of homeownership! It’s experiencing situations like yours that made me name my blog Condo Blues!

The fan is there for ventilation because of building codes. All bathrooms need either a window or fan even if you don’t have a shower or tub in the room.

THAT IS ONE OF MY TOP FEARS! Hayden Christensen and Jessica Alba were in a movie about it called “Awake.” Of course I couldn’t watch it because it would turn my paranoia into full-blown PANIC!

Good luck with your surgery!

Casey Reply:
June 11th, 2009 at 11:24 pm

@ameliorateme, SEE! I’M NOT CRAZY! (Although Hayden Christensen? Nom nom.)

I had the same surgery – twice. It wasn’t too bad because the inscisions are so small and the pain meds were so good I slept most of the week I was off of work.

De-lurking to say, I ,too, am sooooo scared of anesthesia. I am pretty sure I saw that same, disturbing, Dateline special. I have had surgery though, and stayed asleep the whole time, thank God.

I have not had laparoscopic surgery, however I have 2 close friends who have endometriosis, who have had it. I hear it is no walk in the park, but it isn’t unbearable.

Best of Luck!

Casey Reply:
June 11th, 2009 at 11:31 pm

@Just Another Southern Girl, What if someone never liked walks in the park to begin with…hmm…

I will be hittin the slots in Vegas that day and promise to pray before the gods of the gamlin halls for your safe and secure surgery.

Moosh 2.0 is definately a new program I can get behind.

btw didja know only 1 in like 100 pass the bar the first time they take it? **ducking**

Casey Reply:
June 11th, 2009 at 11:29 pm

@Adrienne, Indiana has a 86% passage rate. I’m not so worried.
Did YOU know that I was born in the ’80’s? Heh.
Play some nickle slots for me.

Adrienne Reply:
June 11th, 2009 at 11:42 pm

@Casey,
NICKEL? What! You think I am made out of money? It’s pennys and half cent slots all the way!

Yeah, been there, done that. Make sure you have frozen peas handy. (Ice just doesn’t feel the same.)

And I totally agree with the stabbing sentiment. Also? Avoid laughing afterwards. AND TAKE ANY PILLS THEY GIVE YOU.

Casey Reply:
June 11th, 2009 at 11:30 pm

@MomBabe, PILL COMMENT DULY NOTED, caps mean business in these parts.
I have the peas at the ready.

The only thing worse than having your hubs study for the bar is the sheer eternity it takes to get from July when they take it to October when they announce results (do they still do that?). Your man will be just fine. And someday you’ll look back and laugh. I puh-romise. Good things take a long time, great things happen over night (homeownership, bar exams, surgeries to get to Moosh 2.0).

Have had 2 c-sections so I semi-feel your pain. I was not fully knocked out though. And I was not thinking about Salad Shakers (and until now I had forgot about them completely). Pain meds YES. Also Colace so you don’t get all backed up. Pain meds slow evvvverrryything down.

I can make a mean coming home from the hospital and don’t feel like cooking meal for you and the fam (and might even just be able to score some cupcakes). Just let me know.

Casey Reply:
June 12th, 2009 at 7:45 am

@Cherie, Our friends last year didn’t find out until NOVEMBER. BAH!
And yes, the salad shaker, they seemed like such a good idea right?
And you can totally come over and make fun of me with my tongue lolling out of my mouth.

I can second the Colace recommendation, if you didn’t have a c-section with the moosh. Narcotics slow your pipes waaaaay down. I was, ahem, backed up for a week.

Praying, my dear, all day long the 23rd. And after for a swift and medication-filled recovery! We are all backing the moosh 2.0 project.

Casey Reply:
June 12th, 2009 at 7:46 am

@Amber, You wouldn’t believe how much I enjoy a good poop.
Noted on the Colace.

I can’t be there in person for you during your surgery, but I wish I could. You’ll do great, and recover quickly and make lots of babies. And name one of them Avitable.

Casey Reply:
June 12th, 2009 at 7:56 am

@Avitable, Oh, IT’S COOL! I already named one of my hemorrhoids avitable, so no problem there.

Yikers. I’m sorry that you need your pipes repaired. All of them. Hope all goes well and that you have a very boring, normal procedure and you recover quickly!

Casey Reply:
June 12th, 2009 at 7:47 am

@Barb @ getupandplay, I’ve never wanted boring and normal more. Unless by abnormal you mean they find a 14 carat diamond in my uterus and THAT’s what’s been causing all the trouble.

I had a lap 7 years ago and will need another here in the not so far away future (endometriosis). And then the worst part was the CO2 (gas) that they pump your abdomen full of. It of course rises and I found if I didn’t lay completely flat (even without a pillow) the pain in my shoulder was killer, eventually your body will absorb the CO2 but it takes a few days. My incisions were no larger than a pencil eraser and recovered quickly. However, my saving grace were a pair of drawstring, stretchy, light weight fabric, pajama pants. I could tie them so they sat above all of the incisions and they were light enough weight wise to not rub or bother the incisions.

Good luck surviving bar exam studies (I can’t imagine!)

I’ll be praying that moosh 2.0 is reset quickly and with few complications! Good Luck!

Casey Reply:
June 12th, 2009 at 7:54 am

@Erika, I’m busting out the maternity pants now.

I had a lapro for endometriosis a few years ago ~ best advice I can give: when you wake up make sure your first words are “OWOWOWOWOWOWOW” They’ll give you the best pain meds before you leave recovery (shots) after that you have to wait for stoopid pills to kick in. Ask if you can have a pill before you leave, so that the drive isn’t as rough on you. Sitting up with a couple of tiny incisions is harder than you would expect!

Praying for clear pipes & a good reset!!

(Did your homeowners ins cover the damage? They are supposed to have a binder on the home to cover from the purchase date until your premium check clears.)

Casey Reply:
June 12th, 2009 at 7:49 am

@Bellamomma, I’m going to write cheat notes on my arm-”OWOWOWOWOWOW!”
I’m not sure what’s going on with our pipes, it’s kind of a crazy process, no?

You’re gonna be fine! If anyone take make us laugh through their pain it will be you!

Casey Reply:
June 12th, 2009 at 7:50 am

@Bree, Aw, thanks. But apparently I should not laugh. I hear it will hurt.

First of all good luck on your surgery.

second, I totally know someone who had the whole anesthesia thing happen to her when we were in high school. She had serious panic attacks after that for years.

Casey Reply:
June 12th, 2009 at 7:51 am

@damaris, SEE! One in a million. pfffbt. *eep!*

I had laproscopy for my gall bladder, and a few months later, a friend’s womanly insides were roto rooted. Before reading you post, I would have said it was no big deal. Now, I’m remembering my shoulder hurting. I think they’re starting to hurt now from phantom pains.

But the incisions (both from the laproscopy and the C-section a few months before that) and the shoulder pain are NOTHING compared the the dang contractions after your water breaks.

And I just try not to think about the anesthesia. I don’t ask what they’re putting in the tube and just fall asleep when I’m tired. I just happen to wake up a whole surgery later.

Casey Reply:
June 12th, 2009 at 7:53 am

@Erin Marie, Contractions. Yes. God Bless the Epidural.

My hubbs just got konked out last week for surgery…apparently some peeps don’t wake up from it well, my hubbs was one of them. Apparently he had to be restrained. Talk about some good times. The nurses were all talkin’ about it.

Casey Reply:
June 12th, 2009 at 7:52 am

@Evonce, Which is why my friend will have my flip at the ready.
Heh.

On the plus side, since every bathroom has a fan, the gas escaping your shoulders will have somewhere to go, right?

I hope the experience isn’t too painful for you, and that you get lots of nice narcotics in the moments following, and that you’re the kind of blogger who shares her narcotics.

Casey Reply:
June 12th, 2009 at 7:53 am

@SciFi Dad, I’m not big on federal offenses, plus you’re Canadian, get yer own drugs. Or call that Mr. Lady chick. Now SHE’S generous.

That stinks about the ceiling. About a month after we moved into our house our (brand new) fridge went out and our plumbing backed up. Luckily part of it was covered by the previous owner (it was a rehab) and we covered the rest. It was good times using furniture money for that!

Good luck with the surgery – I’ll be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers on the 23rd!

Casey Reply:
June 12th, 2009 at 10:54 pm

@Jess, Furniture? Who needs furniture? Surely not me!

Good luck with the surgery and good luck to Cody! I don’t know what the bar is like in Indy, but my husband wrote part one of the bar on Tuesday. IT WAS SEVEN HOURS LONG. Open-book, though, and they only have to get 60% of the multiple-choice questions right to pass (no stressing about getting a high grade, just pass or fail)! Same goes for part two. SEVEN HOURS. Total of FOURTEEN HOURS. I had considered law school briefly, but now? ha! NO.

Anyways, good luck to both of you!

Casey Reply:
June 12th, 2009 at 10:55 pm

@Debbie, yeah. HOURS. A lot of his friends got hotels downtown for the night between. *eye roll(

So I had a laparoscopy a few years ago. I only remember there being 1 “bad” day, and that really wasn’t that bad. Having my wisdom teeth pulled was worse. But honestly, Casey, by far HG was the worst. You’ve dealt with that; you can most certainly deal with this.
And just think, if this works, you may get to experience that again! YEAH!!! My husband often reminds me that the second we finally get pregnant, I’ll be locked in the bathroom for 9 months puking and crying. The crazy things we do! Good luck with the de-bugging and 2.0!

Casey Reply:
June 12th, 2009 at 10:56 pm

@nicole, My wisdom teeth were cake! (well, not “cake” but you know.)
You give me hope. Some of these other fools? NOT SO MUCH.

Because of Dateline I wore the wrong size engagement ring for 11 years, not like a bit off, but 2 sizes too big! I saw this thing that they took the diamonds out and put CZ in. When I finally got it resized because it was triangular in shape at this point-I was a nervous wreck.

And as for your procedure-I had one done about 12 yrs ago. It wasn’t awful, I remember being freezing & my BP was really low afterwards. I also remember I couldn’t vacuum for a few weeks afterwards. I know, I know…why didn’t someone tell you this sooner.

Casey Reply:
June 12th, 2009 at 10:57 pm

@Domestic Extraordinaire, I have that same fear! I won’t even let them clean it if I can’t physically see it. Apparently you can get them mapped or something.

Wishing you all the very best, and a quick recovery with your surgery! We’ll be praying for you!

Some days when I read your posts I feel like I am reliving my past…

When we bought our home, the day we got the keys, we flushed the toilets and ran the water only to have a fountain of water coming out everywhere! Welcome to being a homeowner!

Also, I’ve had that surgery, along with ovarian drilling. Seeing how I am pregnant now, I have such big hopes for you!

Casey Reply:
June 12th, 2009 at 10:58 pm

@crookedeyebrow, You’re one of my examples of hope in a uterus.

Never had abdominal sx, but have had many others… Been awake on purpose for one, accidentally for another – and so, while I can tell you your fears do have some basis in truth, well, it’s not that bad. You can live through it (I did!) GOOD LUCK!

I think you’re gonna be just fine – sorry you have to deal with this…

how sweet that the house came with waterfalls. More nature right inside! What a precious little surprise.

I hope your surgery is thoroughly uneventful…even if crazy stuff would give you something to blog about. =) Good luck!

Casey Reply:
June 12th, 2009 at 11:00 pm

@Em, I would have to pee all. the. time. if they stayed there.

I will come hold your hand. Or maybe I’ll be there over skype.

I love you! I miss you tons.

I have an adorable maternity dress with your name on it. I think it’s worth the surgery. Really. I swear it is that cute.

Casey Reply:
June 12th, 2009 at 11:01 pm

@Must Be Motherhood, If I stay a bloated mess for two weeks like these people say I will? I’m taking you up on that.

(so cute I apparently needed to say it twice. doh!)

The surgery won’t be too bad. I had laproscopic surgery a few years ago (ectopic pregnancy) and besides the gas pains the next day (they DO hurt and it’s like what the HELL and then you put it all together and figure out and they neglect to tell you it feels like someone has inflated a giant balloon in your stomach that’s trying to float you off to Kiev). Anyhow, I’m a really big wuss about pain and it was okay.

Casey Reply:
June 12th, 2009 at 11:02 pm

@Jamie, Maybe I’ll request they float me off to Paris, at least they have cheese and pastries there.

I underestimated the gas pain from my lapo procedure. Have the moosh covered for a few days so you can dope up and retreat from life.

Good luck! I’ll be thinking of you on that day! (and probably multiple days after)

I just had the lap done on Monday. It was my first surgery, and first time being put under. I hated waking up from it, no pain just confusion and nausea, other than that I have just been slightly sore and tired since, no big deal at all. The pain pills did back me up tho, that has been the worst part of all.

boo to having to have stinky, painful shoulder-farting surgery…but if Moosh 2.0 is anything like Moosh 1.0, it’s more than worth it, methinks.

HUGS. (and hopefully some good drugs)

Case- (can I call you that?haha)

You’ll be fine. Both you AND the fan. I figure the fan is for both the sound cover up (not a bad thing and really does work, we use it at work) and although my boss had the fan installed NEXT to the toilet instead of up in the ceiling where, let’s face it NOTHING is getting up that high. It is mostly for peace of mind.
As for your “pipes”, sounds unpleasant BUT you can go to sleep dreaming of all thing pink and blue and all will be well.

(And I’ll say a prayer or 2 for ya and yer “pipes”.)

Okay – I know it’s scary to have surgery and I was super scared to get knocked out for my first hysteroscopy, but dude! I am so excited for you! Yes, when you wake up gas might be leaking out your shoulders (perhaps try the bathroom fan to expedite that process…) and you might not feel super fantastic, but clean pipes are always something to celebrate! Hope this does the ultimate trick!

Yikes, you’re scaring me! We’ve put our baby-making efforts on hold for a few months so that I can have Lasik surgery on my eyes next Friday. My eyes! I’m uber freaked out that something will go wrong and leave me with worse eyes than now.
As for the “gas escaping from your shoulders” I really don’t know why they explain it that way.
I had my gallbladder removed laproscopically 2 years ago and I can tell you that yes, you have weird phantom pains in your shoulder. But, we have a doctor friend who explained it. because they blow your stomach up with air your (now I can’t remember the word for it) membrane that separates your lung cavity from your stomach cavity gets stretched. There are no nerves in that membrane, but it’s still feeling pain from being stretched, thus the pain shows up in your shoulder. It is rather weird! But I found that shifting position usually helped. It’s just like a muscle that got a big workout when it hadn’t had one in oh, like forever!
I hope the roto-rooter works for you in the long run though!

Had the lap 10 years ago this month for endo. It was my first time going under and everything was fine. I was nauseous upon waking up and had to do a liquid diet for 48 hours after (trust me, don’t cheat and sneak a green bean. It’s not pretty). My former roommate is having the same thing done the end of July and we were just trying to remember the recovery time this week. As everyone has mentioned, the gas-related pains are far and away the worst part. My mom just lay there with me holding a heating pad on my neck. About the time the pain would ease a little (only when lying flat on my back and perfectly still), I’d have to pee. We finally tried to construct a bedpan using a very large, Rubbermaid under the bed storage thingy. It wasn’t happening, but we still laugh about it. Once I got past the gas pain (about 24 hours total) recovery was a breeze.

As for the bar exam, I’ll share with Cody my favorite piece of advice from one of my profs–it’s a marathon not a sprint. Attend Barbri classes, do some of their suggested homework and pace yourself. Hit it hard after the 4th and you’ll be fine. Good luck to both of you!

Casey Reply:
June 12th, 2009 at 11:05 pm

@Mandee, heating pad in 90 degree weather with high humidity.
BOO.
I’m taking your suggestion though.

I have PCOS and Endo. In 1998 I had the laparoscopy. It really wasn’t that bad. It’s an outpatient procedure and I was tired for the first day or two–for the whole gas thing you just have to lie down and you don’t notice it at all. I remember feeling sore the first day but it quickly subsided. It is creepy when you think about the details of how the surgery works, but if you’re going to have surgery, this is a pretty easy one to have. Good luck!

i love you. mine is 8 july.

ashley. Reply:
June 13th, 2009 at 2:19 am

oh and also includes what i have decided to term a “vag job” …

also, i love you.

you have to go to the right places…

centerforendo.com

endometriosissurgeon.com

naprotechnology.com

endoexcision.com

erc.activboard.com/ google if it doesn’t come up

endo101.com

johnleemd.com

endo-resolved.com

endometriosis.org/nutrition

makingbabies.com (for endo diet info)

When my husband was studying for the bar, I left the state! The bar was a hard time for us all. I can say though that it gets better (once they’ve been working long enough to not worry about being fired- it took Tyler about 6 months .

Good luck with the surgery. If I were having it done I’d see if they’d do a tummy tuck at the same time!

As for the house problems, I think they make you love your house more. Our roof leaked the first week we were in our house. Now that it’s fixed I’m so glad that we even have a roof.

Casey Reply:
June 12th, 2009 at 11:08 pm

@Steph, Ooh, the tummy tuck isn’t a bad idea…

Wow, good luck on the surgery! In my experience – albeit with actual house plumbing – a good cleaning solves a lot of problems!

I had so many of these, I figured I should have used a punch card and gotten one free! The anesthetic was just fine, incision was teeny tiny but NO FOOLING – do not try to do too much! The shoulder pain will get your attention! I had many surgeries due to the lovely endometriosis…I did have other names for it..however, cannot be mentioned here (or anywhere most likely). Prayers your way! Heidi

just had my uterus boiled two weeks ago and other than post anesthesia vomiting it wasn’t that bad. i’m trying to learn that life is a series of “getting older” events without which we’d never have the privilege of gaining lasting wisdom…so when i have to go through this crap i think: older sucks but wiser’s better….

good luck and praying for you.

i mean praying to my NON MORMON God…hahaha…just kidding. seriously…just kidding.

Casey Reply:
June 12th, 2009 at 11:09 pm

@heather, BOILED? OMG BOILED?

Will keep you in my prayers! You know it will be worth it when you have moosh 2.0.

I had one three years ago. The incision wasn’t bad, didn’t hurt at all. The worst was the shoulder pain but getting up and walking around helped with that.

My most “amusing” memory had to do with my sensitivity to the anesthesia. I blew 5 times, the last being less than a mile from home. I begged my husband to pull over in the parking lot and was hoping he would pull towards the back for some privacy but not so much. I blew chunks hard for the world to see in probably the busiest intersection in the 4th largest city. Yea!!! Good show I’m sure.

My prayers are with you, that everything goes well.

Casey Reply:
June 14th, 2009 at 11:05 pm

@Rachel, After my pregnancy? Barfing in public does not shame me.

My husband watched that Dateline thing, too – right before I had my tubes tied.

You’ll be fine. I had a laparoscopy before and you’ll be sore of course, but it’s not insanely horrible. I mean, you’ve been through childbirth, right? But the gas… well, that’s pretty much true.

Casey Reply:
June 14th, 2009 at 11:05 pm

@Shannon, And I’ve had some MEAN gas in my life…

I had a septum in my uterus resected laparoscop-ically (is that a word? prolly not!) last year and it IS NOT A BIG DEAL pain-wise. I don’t think I even took the T3s I was prescribed. Just regular Advil. I was actually surprised that there was so little pain. And you only have 2 or 3 TINY little cuts. My only problem was the air in the shoulders thing…a couple of days after surgery I had terrible pressure in my chest but that faded and it was all good!
You’ll do awesome, and you’re in my prayers.

Casey Reply:
June 14th, 2009 at 11:07 pm

@Kerry, T3? YOU’RE TOTALLY A CANADIAN! (on and thanks for your comment and stuff…!)

Kerry Reply:
June 15th, 2009 at 1:43 am

@Casey,(scratches head) whaddya call ‘em in the USA?
On another random note…I was worried about the anaesthesia as well (not about waking up but that I would NEVER wake up)and when my doctor came in and saw me crying she asked what was wrong. I told her I was worried and she looked at me funny/sternly and said “We’re having a stupendous day here so don’t mess it up!” Which sounds mean and nasty when I type it but totally put me at ease at the time.

Oh good luck. I had keyhole surgery a couple years ago to get my gall bladder out and it hurt but not too much. I’m going to go out on a limb here and say, you will not experience the anaesthesia awareness thing. Do not prove me wrong!

Casey Reply:
June 14th, 2009 at 11:09 pm

@Meaghan, I’ll be sure to try really really hard not to prove you wrong.

I wish I could be there to hold your hand before, feed you afterwards and make silly faces to help you laugh.
But, I’m all the way down here. So, prayers said from down here, a massive MWAH from me to you and MUCH love.

Casey Reply:
June 14th, 2009 at 11:10 pm

@rachel-asouthernfairytale, Apparently laughing is supposed to hurt really really bad.
So ixnay on the afflay.

p.s. also, i had one two years ago on the 28th and had zero shoulder pain at all. zero. zip. nada. just for some kind of assurance that it’s not that bad for EVERYONE.

Casey Reply:
June 14th, 2009 at 11:11 pm

@ashley., you’re so tiny, your results are unreliable.

Anesthesia Awareness is probably number 3 on my top 10 list of fears. Also, what is this nifty new plugin you are using that allows you to reply directly beneath the comment. Does it also email the reply to the commenter?

So many questions.

Casey Reply:
June 14th, 2009 at 11:12 pm

@Amanda of Shamelessly Sassy, I’ve never listed my fears numerically, it’s probably better for the good of society if I don’t.

I know what you mean when you talk about the anesthesia awareness. I had open heart surgery a year ( a year and a week to the day to be exact) ago. About a month before the surgery my friends thought it would be amazing to let me watch “Awake”… don’t watch it.. and Moosh 2.0 will be worth the pain.. trust me… open heart surgery was worth the life I live now in comparison to the life I was living then…

Casey Reply:
June 14th, 2009 at 11:13 pm

@Crisi, Heart surgery TOTALLY trumps my sissy little surgery.
And that movie? PRETENDING IT DOESN’T EXIST! lalalala!

I have the same surgery coming up, and I’m TERRIFIED. Met with the doctor a couple of weeks ago and he told me to take A COUPLE OF WEEKS off work. I have never taken a couple of weeks off work for anything, including other surgeries, so this one is definitely going to hurt. Add to that the fact that all I can keep thinking of is when I had my wisdom teeth out, and woke up in the middle of it. NO THANK YOU.

(um… hi, sorry for not being totally reassuring “oh it will be awesome! you’ll love it!” instead of spewing my own personal fears all over your comments)

Casey Reply:
June 14th, 2009 at 11:14 pm

@Louise, Please, spew forth liberally.

So I read this really late and you’re probably not even reading comments anymore, but freak out before surgery is practically my middle name.

(I had my brain surgery right after the movie “Awake” came out. Yea, that was cool.)

My very few recommendations for surgery are:
-If you’re prone to getting nauseated after surgery, tell the anesthesiologist beforehand. In fact, ask specifically for a drug called Emend. It’s for chemo patients but it’s been approved and is used to prevent (not treat) nausea in surgery patients. It is amazing. I threw up for 3 days with brain surgery, not one puke with the boob surgery I had 6 months later.

-Drink a TON of water afterwards. The more your drink, the better you’ll flush the drugs (not the happy ones, just the anesthesia) out.

-Rest. My surgeon told me to expect it to take 1 week per hour of surgery to recover fully-mentally and physically. So if your surgery is an hour, give yourself AT LEAST a week to recover. At least, it might take longer and that’s okay too.

-Finally, rent a bunch of good movies and enjoy the vacation.

Casey Reply:
June 14th, 2009 at 11:16 pm

@Overflowing Brain, “prone to getting nauseated after surgery”
Yeah, I’VE NEVER HAD SURGERY.
But I’m taking the week long advice.

Amazing, you even make surgery sound funny. It’s a gift.

Casey Reply:
June 14th, 2009 at 11:17 pm

@Chris, Wait until you see me on drugs!!

Yeah, the gas coming up through your back is the worst part, but it doesn’t last that long.

i don’t envy the bar studying one bit. my husband studied for the missouri bar for the summer exam & started the arizona bar soon after for the spring exam. (random, i know, but he went to school in arizona & we moved back to missouri for a job that is now moving him back to arizona.) cody’s not going for illinois, ohio, or kentucky next, is he? is he?!?

Casey Reply:
June 14th, 2009 at 11:17 pm

@mommymae, Indiana.
THE END. (for now at least)

Oh no. I’ve never heard of the surgery that you are having, but I really hope that it goes well and is well worth it I have heard of McSalad Shakers, however, and the mere mention sent H2o shooting out of my nose. Try not to build up the anesthesia part of it in your head… you’ll have your very own experience and it will be fine! We’ll be thinking about you… best of luck to you, your home and your hubby.

I have had surgery many times and i promise you all will be ok. They’ll give you the drugs, you’ll fall asleep and like two seconds later, you’ll wake up and it will all be over.

Surgery of any kind = suckiness, but I hope yours goes well. Fingers will be crossed and prayers will be said.

And the pipes? Holy crap…I fear for actually owning my home because then I’LL be responsible for this kind of crap and that scares the bejeezus out of me!

Casey, re: anesthesia nightmares. My best friend had surgery 2 weeks ago to correct a labreal tear (hip), and thus was under anesthesia for about 2-3 hours. She’s been inflicted with pain for 2 years now, and they just finally were able to diagnose it about a month ago. Before they did, they tried EVERYTHING in the book for any sort of hip/butt related pain. In their “testing” to figure out the problem she had several injections of steroids & botox, none of which worked. But, these were all done with her semi-conscious, just loopy from the sedation they gave her. For some reason she needed enough for a HORSE…and she is a tiny girl (5 feet). At one procedure they gave her a large dose, and as they wheeled her in for her injection, she was just like, “uh, just so you all know, I’m still totally lucid!”…

Anyway, she clearly was hard to sedate for those procedures, and I was scared to death that her anesthesia for the surgery would do just what you are afraid of–that she’d be “awake” and feel everything, but not be able to let anyone know.

LONG STORY SHORT OMGZ, she was totally fine, the anesthesia worked like a charm, and she was fine when she came out of it (other than hip pain, but obv that’s normal).

So, just a little personal story for you to hopefully quell some fears. Hope that helps, and GOOD LUCK! (I’m actually going under THE KNIFE in a few weeks for some nose reconstruction, woohoo!)

Casey Reply:
June 18th, 2009 at 8:31 am

@Maggie, I’m the same way with dental work. I need half of their supply to get even close to numb. Then I need the gas to calm me the heck down.

I had my gallbladder removed laproscopically about two months after I had a c-section. Laproscopy wins, hands down…

Casey Reply:
June 18th, 2009 at 8:30 am

@Halala Mama, Wins as more painful? Or less painful!?

Ahhh…sorry for being unclear. Wins as in less painful and far fewer complications. I felt like hell for less than 24 hours and that was mitigated by my new best friend Percocet. I slept well and got over it quickly. I didn’t have that radiating shoulder pain that they talk about and my incisions were so small they healed right away.

[...] uterine factory reset is fast approaching on [...]

RSS feed for comments on this post.