So, for those that don't already know, I spent my Saturday morning in the ER at Inter-mountain Medical Center. My afternoon was spent under anesthesia at the oral surgeons office. My evening and night were spent with Aaron.
It is funny when you think about the timing of it all... June 4th was the day I was finally released from ICU in 2008 for this same infection...
Anyway, here is the story... Friday morning I woke up to my jaw in serious pain. The top right and lower left sides were throbbing and felt a little swollen. It didn't alarm me much as this had happened in May. I simply overdosed on Vitamin C and pain killer/anti-inflamatory meds and it went away. Though this time I didn't have that much luck. After a 10 hour shift at AFCU, Aaron and I made our way to my parents house to have dinner and celebrate Leesa's 18th birthday. Leesa noticed my jaw was swollen but I blew it off. Telling her I was fine and that it would go away. As Aaron and I arrived back at his grandparents house he again asked me if I was okay. I said I was. He wasn't terribly convinced. He suggested we cancel going shooting and we just take it easy insead. I begged him not to. I really wanted to go. We were going to have some of my family come with us, and I really just did not want to cancel. He made me promise that if I didn't feel better in the morning we would cancel the trip. As I drove home I had this sick feeling in my stomach. For some reason I did not feel right about leaving Aaron. Afraid something would happen to him I began to pray quite earnestly for his well being. As I arrived in the driveway I began to feel a little off kilter. I credited it to being overly tired and proceeded down the stairs to my room. I sent Aaron a text letting him know my worry and expressing my concern at the way I was feeling. He made me promise if I still felt that way in the morning I would seek medical help. I agreed to it. It wasn't two hours later I sent him and Sunnie a text message saying I thought I needed medical help. I had awoken to a serious pain and I could feel my cheek had increased in swelling. Sunnie came downstairs and was mid-sentence when she got a good look at me and said wooow!!! Jess I can smell the infection smell again. I said I know, I can taste it. I had been looking up dentist offices trying to find one that would be open on a Saturday. Sunnie asked if I was crazy, and did I remember what happened the last time I had tried to wait... so at 3am we picked an ER and called Aaron. He asked me to call him back once we were at the hospital and he would meet us there. An hour later, when we were settled into room 31, I called Aaron. He didn't answer and I didn't have the heart to wake him. It would be awhile before anything happened. I swear there is a mandatory two hour wait for an er doctor to see you. No matter how many or few are in the er... I began telling the nurse and Doctor that I knew what was causing it. I had been through this before. I had the scars to prove it. The man just kind of blew my information off. After another 2 hours, a CT scan, and allergic reaction to IV meds later... he came in all raring to go. He'd read some of my medical history and it seemed to light a fire under his ass. He asked for the names if my previous surgeons. I rolled them off... Garner Meads inserted the treacherous and the first drain from my jaw at Altar View. After being lifelighted to LDS I was under the care of Dr. Pearl who was over the ICU. Dr. Sharma took over care of the treach and added another few drains in my throat. Dr. Michael Collins was my thoracic surgeon. He inserted lung tubes and performed the heart surgery. Mr. IMC-ER doctor called and woke up the oral surgeon who rushed over. In the hour it took for him to arrive, I received a priesthood blessing from Darin and Daeson. Aaron called, and was on his way when the oral surgeon arrived introduced himself and left to view the CT scan. Sunnie left for work at 8:30am as soon as Aaron was seated by my side. A nurse came in and said Dr. Christensen had prescribed an anti-inflamatory. The moment that drug hit my veins my entire body burst into flames. It felt like pins and needles were stabbing my insides trying to get out. The nurse left to get benadryl immediately. Dr. Christensen came in to see for himself what was happening. He also said that instead of trying to book the O.R. he wanted me to go to his office to have the teeth extraction done. It would be cheaper and a lot less hassel for everyone. He made sure I had the benedryl, and ordered one final dose of a different antibiotic that was similar to penicillin, but different enough from the first antibiotic I had been allergic to. I had to sit and wait for those IV drugs to finish before I was finally allowed to leave at 10:40-ish. Aaron took me home and we took a two and a half hour nap. The oral surgery lasted only an hour and a half. I dimly remember waking up with my head in Aaron's lap as we pulled up to the house. Vaguely remember walking in past Sunnie and hitting my pillow. Aaron was able paint in the missing pieces . The nurses told him I was starting to wake up, that the surgery had gone well, and he could come see me. When he walked in the room he asked if I recognized him. I said nope, but I recognize your shirt. I was very sweet but didn't know anyone there. He informed me he was going to wait until I had awakened a little more before he brought the truck around. I knew his truck and didn't hesitate to jump in put my head in his lap and fall asleep again. I supposedly rambled but he couldn't understand much of it. I remember half waking to tell Aaron I had seen our children. We both woke up about two hours later and decided to make a trip to target, fill my prescription, and eat something. The pharmacy was closed, but we stopped at the cafe for a bite before heading to his grandparents house to pick up a few movies at my request. I also wanted to see his grams and show her the shirt she had gotten me fit perfectly! We went back to my house and watched movies, took pictures, and fell asleep. Aaron left this morning for work making me promise I would stay in bed today and tomorrow or I couldn't go see him during his lunch break. I compromised with him. I agreed to rest and lay down, but outside in the sun. He agreed and I was able to get a little sun and chat with Sunnie and Alaina on the lawn while I laid on my blanket. I was happy to see Aaron but was reminded just how quickly my body tires after medical stress and surgery. So... I am back in bed and ready for sleep. I'm sure tomorrow I will darken my tan, finish my book, and call Dr. Christensen to schedule a time to remove the stitches and the drain, and prepare to work a 5 hour shift on Tuesday.
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