Well that kind of hit me like a ton of bricks!

I honestly can't even remember the last time that I've had a Crohn's attack but within a few hours of the pain starting a few weeks ago I knew I was in for at least a rough night, if not much longer.

The pain started around 4pm and I thought at first it was just a back ache from sitting so much so I struggled through my last 2 hours of work. I came home from work at 6 and climbed into a hot bath. It was then I realized it was likely much worse than than just a back ache and I started to recognize the signs as a possible attack. While in the bath I called my mom to ask her to take her phone to bed with her, just in case we had to call her in the night to come and sit with the boys.

I took two Gravol and went to bed at 7:45 hoping and praying that the pain would subside and I would be able to sleep it off. No such luck, While Jim watched a show beside me I would sleep in 3-5 minute intervals interrupted by severe pain in my back and upper abdomen. Finally at 10 pm knowing that it wasn't going away and thinking that soon the vomiting would start, I told Jim it was time to go to the hospital (knowing that likely my mom would still be awake). She was here a little bit later and we were off.

We were so thankful that when we got to the hospital that the ER was completely EMPTY. Not a single patient that I could see. This is rare for our hospital and in fact it was around 6 years ago (thanks FB memories) that I went in there for an attack and waited 2.5 hours (in even worse pain than this current night) on a stretcher in the middle of the waiting room (for all of the other waiting patients to see.) It was truly a horrific night in my life and has made me rethink waiting at home for the pain to get that bad before going in, just in case the ER is ever that bad again.

Within a few minutes I saw my favorite ER doctor making his way over to me and saying "Kim, you're back again, it's been awhile since we've seen you." A few minutes later a 4th year nursing student (who recognized me from my niece Tyanna's FB) asked me if she could start my IV for me and although I was trying to be patient with her as she tried to find a good vein and then stuck me I was in so much pain and felt so much relief when another nurse came and got the IV in right away and just a few minutes later the pain relief was flowing into my veins.

I'm all about honesty on this blog and this is honestly how terrible I looked in pain around 11pm...this was right after the first dose of morphine and Gravol hit me.

By about 3am I was feeling a little better and thankfully hadn't started throwing up yet so thought I was in the clear and maybe I'd be able to go home and spare myself the horrors of some other attacks. Jim was anxious to get home because he had texted my mom an hour before saying we might be coming home, plus he was still planning on working that day. The doctor wrote me some prescriptions and gave me some painkillers and anti nauseants to take home with me and I was just about to have the nurse bandage up my IV (I said I'd go home with it in just case) and then I started getting sick and it was truly all down hill from there. For the next 7 or so hours I was horribly ill and it seemed like no matter what they gave me nothing helped. The morphine was making me so sick but the getting sick was making the cramping pains so bad that nothing could make the pain go away. They finally switched me to hydromorphone which is way stronger than morphine but had to keep trying different anti-nauseants to try and keep me from throwing up (nothing was helping at this point it was just hours of getting sick...truly horrible!). When the pain was really bad about 4am they called in an X-ray tech to take some pictures to see if I had an intestinal blockage. The overnight doctor said he didn't think there was one but they wanted to keep me until I at least was feeling a little bit better or they could get the pain under control.

My poor rock star of a hubby finally fell asleep sitting up at sometime around 5am.

 I think you can tell by the look on my face how horribly miserable I was around this time.

Jim finally left my side at 6:15 in the morning to get home to relieve my mom (who had to work that day) and to get the boys ready for the day to go to the daycare. He returned to my side around 9:15 and stayed until the day shift doctor said they were going to admit me because he did think that based on the x-rays and how I was feeling that there was a possible obstruction. The doctor wanted me to stay there until my pain was under control and we could determine if my body could tolerate food after the attack.

By about noon my parents had stopped to visit me in the ER and Jim was headed home to have a sleep while my Auntie Susan sat with me for the afternoon. I was moved into a somewhat private room off the ER where I was finally able to get a little bit of sleep while we waited for them to admit me to the 4th floor.

That night I had a few special visitors who were excited to see me, and to look out my room's window

After they left I settled in for some Family Feud and chicken broth...or maybe it was tea...they are served in the same cups!

Jim brought me my stuffy (without me asking) and I was so happy. Yes, I am 35 years old and I sleep with this thing every single night. My mom actually bought it for me in the hospital gift shop when I had a bad attack years ago shortly after we moved to PR.

Friday morning I wasn't hungry at all and I'm not a huge fan of Jello, but I did eat some of it.

My full breakfast on Friday morning

My view on Friday morning while my kids were painting Easter eggs and playing outside at the Parkins. Jenn was so wonderful for watching the boys for Jim that day for a few hours so he could get the house cleaned up a bit before my brother and Doris and Roger arrived for the weekend.

SERIOUSLY...How disgusting does that look? Like, what the hell is that mystery meat? I ate the potatoes because by this point I was pretty damn hungry (I had only eaten a little bit of Jello since Wednesday afternoon at 2 when I ate my last meal). Jim however showed up a few minutes later and polished off the mystery meat and pureed peas.

Drinking my tea from a coffee cup. Yuck...

Trying to pass the time

Dinner...ground up quiche and carrots. You think this is bad though, my poor roommate guy who didn't have any dietary restrictions got a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for dinner, with some carrots and a small bowl of canned pear pieces. The soup he was supposed to get didn't show up.

The soup was tortilla flavoured and it was okay once the nurse heated it up for me because mine was cold. Pretty much I only ate a few bites of soup and the vanilla yogurt that I requested (and was told that I wouldn't get because apparently yogurt isn't considered a semi-soft food!). Can someone please tell me what it is then?? It's certainly not a clear fluid and definitely isn't solid so what would you call it?? Anyways, I would have flipped if they hadn't brought me that yogurt that night. By Friday night I was getting pretty hungry but was also terrified to eat too!

My boys came to visit and show me the eggs they painted at the Parkins house.

Oh yeah, they got bored quickly so they played on the iPad while Jim and I visited

 At least they smiled for the pic...kind of...

Getting pretty tired of this stupid thing

Had to take it everywhere with me and remember to plug the stupid thing back in when I got back into bed.

My last breakfast...seriously...pureed toast with jam?? No frigging way was I gonna eat that. I ate a few bites of the eggs and they were okay...but man was I glad to be released a little bit later and get home to eat some chocolate pudding! 

I drink this medicine every morning but never mixed in just water. This was so gross and I know now why I always mix it with orange juice or in a smoothie. It is truly disgusting stuff (but has absolutely changed my life in the last few years...a post about that coming soon!)

Jordie wanting to "help" me with my pudding

I think he's happy I'm home

Huge thank you's to those that came to visit me in the hospital. It's long and lonely hours being in there and I so appreciated those that made the effort to stop by and say hello, even if just for a little bit! I hope to stay out of that place for a long time!

I have awesome coworkers

After being away from work for almost 3 weeks (with only 2 full days and a few half days thrown in there) I was happy to return to work on March 7 and walked into my office to see these beautiful flowers waiting for me from my coworkers. I know they helped out a ton while I was off sick and I really appreciated their kindness and support while I stayed home to take care of both myself and both of my munchkins throughout those 3 weeks. It was truly and honestly one of the worst months of my entire life. I was sicker than I had been in years and each of the boys got some semblance of this sickness twice in the 3 weeks. It was truly a miserable time for us and thank god for a healthy Daddy who took care of us so well!

I love tulips yet for some reason almost never get them from my boys. They usually go for the garden variety flowers from the park instead (which I'm totally fine with too) :)

And here's the nice card they wrote too

And on that same day back to work my coworker Wanda mentioned to me that I had been recognized in our VIU Newsletter and had gotten a "smile" recognition from someone in my office. I really do love my job and am proud to know that others see this too and appreciate my smiles and the hard work that I put in. Of course not every day is fantastic, but most days I am able to put a smile on my face, forget about stuff going on at home and just focus on the work I need to do. 

Thanks VIU coworkers for the very special flowers and card...and if whoever it was that nominated me for this smile sees this post...I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Definitely something I will remember.

We couldn't do what we do without these two in our lives!

I wish everyone had parents and grandparents like we do, in their own lives. These two are truly incredible people who give so much and are generous with their time and love...especially to our two little guys! Always ready for hugs and kisses and the doling out of the goldfish by the bowl full. They are always there in a pinch and help us with the boys whenever they can. Mom jokes that as long as it's in the black book she's good to do whatever we need. So now if I'm there I just take out the book and she knows something is up, or I'll ask her her plans and she's say "I don't know, let me get the book out!"

This week alone they picked James up from school 3 days because of early dismissal, kept him for dinner one of those nights, then watched Jordie so we could go to James's student-led conference. Not to mention my mom researched the parts we needed to fix our dishwasher and sent me the link to the parts so I could order them. They watched Jordie when he was too sick to go to the daycare and even knowing that they could get sick too. They try not to get too close to them when they are sick...but let's be honest, they just can't turn down a hug from a James or a Moon Back kiss from Jordie. Tuesday is Jordie's Nana's home day and he loves it there. This week they picked him up early at 9:30 and took him grocery shopping with them even though I didn't work until 12:30, just so I could get some stuff done around the house. Really...they are the best!

They are incredibly devoted parents too. Always there for advice or a shoulder to cry on. Always there to talk about anything we need to talk about, and they've mediated more than a few arguments between me and Jimmy! They are the reason we moved back to town almost 9 years ago and we couldn't be happier here and with them in our lives. From our morning tea FaceTime chats, to Tuesday's with Jordie, to our Saturday morning tea visits, to Sunday afternoon hockey watching and Jordie sitting and of course Sunday family dinner...we really truly are blessed to have them be such a big part of our lives!

Jimmy and I love you both very much and thank you for all that you do to help us raise our boys into the incredible little people that they are becoming. We know that without you guys in their lives they wouldn't be the kids that they are today. 
 

And had to include this photo too of course!

Enjoy your trip this week and don't worry, we'll take care of the fur brother and your house while you're away. I'll even try to keep the plants alive too!

We count ourselves as VERY lucky

Jim and I know how lucky we are for the family support that we have here in Powell River and if anyone out there is thinking that we take it for granted please hear this "WE DON'T!" We appreciate and love that we have many people that are helping us to raise our boys and that love to spend time with them, even offering to do it so we can have an evening alone together. 

On Friday night last weekend my sister invited us to go out for dinner with her to see Bill play at the Carlson Club. So of course we asked Nana if she would watch the boys for a few hours, but she of course insisted that instead of watching them at our house just for dinner that she would keep them overnight instead. This is often the way Nana rolls. She would prefer to have them at her house where she can make dinner for them, bathe them if she wants and then put them to bed and then be comfy in her PJ's in her own chair and not have to worry about driving home after we get home. We so appreciate it because we had a great night enjoying the $11 steak dinner that the Carlson offers on Friday nights! We came home early that night and snuggled on the couch and watched a show then went to bed early. 

Saturday morning we got up and went to pick up the kids for swimming and soccer then home for a few hours for Jordie's nap before packing them up for Auntie Ra to pick them up at 3:30. When I told Ang that we wanted to have our couple friends over for some drinks and to play Cards Against Humanity she happily (and suprisingly) said "I'll take them both overnight!" We were thrilled and they were both so excited to spend the night there. She's taken each of them overnight separately before but this was their first visit together. Little did I know about the awesome crafts she had planned for them! On Sunday morning we tried to sleep in but of course we woke up at 7:15 and had 3.5 hours until Ang was planning on bringing the boys home so we went out to our favorite restaurant Magpie's for some yummy breakfast and some quiet quality visiting time where we can actually talk (between James's non stop talking and Jordie's loud babbling it isn't easy these days!)

Too busy laughing till we cried while playing Cards Against Humanity to take any other photos! 

And the Reece's Peanut Butter Cheese Ball was so delicious and actually looked just like it did on Pinterest!

Today I wanted to spend some time in James's class and had planned to take Jordie with me but Nana heard the plan and said "just bring him here instead, it'll be easier for you". Well she's right about that, and it's always awesome to have time alone with just one kid, no matter what it is that you are doing. We are really very lucky for all of the help with the boys and we make sure to tell those around us regularly how much we appreciate them and their help. I especially understand how lucky we are when I look at some friends that have no family nearby and rarely get a special evening out with their spouse or morning away from their toddler! 

Aunties (and sisters) are the very best!

The boys were with my sister for Saturday night so we could have a fun games night with our friends. She knows I'm a huge sucker for crafts and was so super sweet and planned this awesome project with the boys while they were there. 

When James walked up the stairs and I opened the door he yelled Merry Christmas and was carrying a big gift bag with these things in it. I actually felt myself tear up at the kindess of Ang in doing these with the boys. Definitely one of the most thoughtful gifts I've ever received!

He kept walking up to it saying "mine" and pointing at the picture and at his hands and feet! It was so cute! I was trying to take pictures of the canvases and he really wanted in the picture too!

THANK YOU again so much Andra for this wonderful gift! They will definitely be going up near our Christmas tree this year!

James has a new favorite girl, and her name is Rhonda

This is Rhonda, she is the wonderful lady who adjusts James's glasses at Westview Optometry. She is a very kind and sweet lady that makes James feel special and has since the very first day we went to pick out glasses last year. We have seen her at least once a week since then as he is a little boy and he's hard on those glasses and they are often out of whack and need to be adjusted. One time last year he walked in and matter of factly told the receptionist "I need to see Rhonda now, my glasses really need to be adjusted!" Let's just say that the whole staff there knows him by name and probably dreads when his loud little voice comes roaring in there, but they certainly never show it. They are all so great to him and to us too.

 

Can you tell that he just adores her?

This one is fuzzy but still a cute photo

 

ALWAYS hugs for Rhonda, even if he sees her more than once in a week (one day we actually went TWICE due to an unfortunate accident that bent them bad!)

 

Here he is giving Rhonda her Valentine's Birthday card. It's her birthday on Valentine's Day but she will be away so we took it to her early. We had planned to do something for V-Day anyways and then two weeks ago she let it slip that it was also her birthday on that day, so we were set with a plan!

Here's the card that we made. I did the main lettering, but he did everything else!

He even told me exactly what he wanted it to say...it was so cute!

 

And the chocolates he got her too

And here are the two photos we printed for her, showing her how awesome his new glasses and his new swimming goggles fit him. She really has been so wonderful to us over the past year and it's always a joy to go in and see her, for both him and me!