So I broke my nose driving the demolition derby car a few weeks back. After swelling subsided things still didn't look great so surgery was scheduled. Now, I've had this surgery (for the most part- slightly different with my infection and first surgery) before so I honestly wasn't that nervous. I also know the surgeon, Steve, very well and I've been with him in surgeries before. I know he's thorough, takes his time, and does a great job. I also knew the anesthesiologist and have worked with him in the OR. There is certainly an advantage to knowing people there because they planned and coordinated around my schedule (the ENT I saw the Saturday I broke it had surgery on days that didn't work as well for me so I went with Steve's schedule- Andy said he wasn't offended) and I did ask some special requests for my pain meds after surgery as well as for my anesthesia during the surgery so I would be able to wake up quickly and go back to work two days later (had surgery Tuesday morning, Wed was a holiday off, then went to work Thursday and Friday). They were very accommodating, and honestly I don't think it could've gone better. I woke up tired, but not feeling drugged up and unable to focus (though I did forget to put on my bra before leaving the hospital while dressing myself- opps!). I did NOT have a rhinoplasty though, which is a "nose job" where they change how your nose looks. My nose looks exactly the same externally now as it did before (don't believe rumors!!), but now the inside is a little different.
(Side note- There were some nice "bonuses" about having surgery when I did. I had just gotten back from hiking Havasupi two days before surgery. Honestly the only thing (besides a few blisters) that hurt were my calves. When I was being prepped the nurse said that Steve wanted me to wear compression socks (totally normal) and that she'd be putting some things under my calves to help prevent blood clots. Well she put under my calves this machine I'd never seen that puffs up and then deflates. It moved up and down around my calves just massaging them for an hour and a half! I also was slightly dehydrated from my hiking, but guess what?! They give you a ton of saline. A massage and instant hydration for my hiking woes all fixed while getting surgery- who knew?)
Holly picked me up from surgery and I went back to her place to crash. Kade was so so so stinkin' cute to me! He said, "Aunt Nattie we have a bed just your size that you can sleep in", and he held my hand and walked me back to the guest room. He also told me I could have
anything I wanted and that they had Gatorade, and pudding, and ice cream, and yogurt and that he could "make some noodles" for me
(hahah his mom did later though). I told him I just felt like sleeping, and he said, "OK! I will read you a book then" and he did, He sat next to be and stroked my arm and my hands. He also would lean over and push up my otter pop for me and he held my water cup and periodically would lean it over for me to take a sip. He said, "Aunt Nattie, when I hurt my tooth I felt just like you- my face hurt all over- but I had an infection! You shouldn't go breakin' your nose though" hahah. He told me more than once that I should be careful with my nose and also got out his human body book and showed me the nose and explained parts of it were "sensitive". Seriously, seriously it was so incredibly sweet. My sister was amazing for providing all that stuff for me and cooking up stuff for me afterwards and letting me stay
(I knew she would be, which is why I asked her), but Kaders just doted on me. I know it's because that's how they get treated too and are good kids to help others when they are hurting. My brother-in-law drove my car home for me and I slept propped up at home. A friend kindly loaned me her humidifier and my roommate was amazing to always keep it filled up for me. My roommate was also sweet to ask what I needed and was very attentive. She ended up having to clean out my Havasupi backpack- thanks Kristina =).
 |
| see! same outside but straight again |
On the 4th of July Holly and the fam came to my place to have a BBQ. I was kinda tired and my nose was bleeding internally a little (or it felt like it so I had to keep my head back), but everyone just put it all together and made it work- thanks guys. My mom was in town and stayed here and cleaned my entire house and did all my laundry- thanks so much! I honestly have the best family and friends. I had the packing taking out a few days ago by one of the other ENTs because once again they catered to my scheduled, which I appreciate greatly (thanks thank Kent) and oh my heavens I can breathe through my nose! I appreciate nose breathing sooo much! The things you miss that really do matter =). He made the comment at the end about my nose still building up "crusts," which I was aware would happen. Then he said, "If the crusts start to build too quickly come on over. I'll pick your nose anytime." I laughed and said, "Not many colleagues would say that, but I appreciate it!". Such good help! All in all my recovery has been going well and quickly, and I've been blessed. My sister-in-law and nephew also had surgeries recently, and I've been praying for them to heal quickly as well. Thanks to you all. I'm hoping so so so much that I never ever have surgery on my nose again, and yes, I've been online shopping for facemasks- seriously- I mean that seriously =).
I HIKED HAVASUPI!!!!! WOOWHOO- now the story- My friends, Esther and Tami, have hiked Havasupi several years in a row, and they've invited me the past 2 years, but I wasn't able to go. This year, I did a preemptive and asked Esther (like back in Feb) when they were going and if I could go and bring my roommate, and with Esther's approval, we planned it all out. We started hiking at 5:30 (but woke up at 4:30 since a cellphone didn't reset to Arizona time- minor hiccup hahah). Either way, we were rearin' to go and backpacked in (go us!), and it honestly wasn't as difficult as I thought. That being said, I should say flat out that I was praying A LOT during this trip. I know for certain the Lord pulled us through it all (very obvious tender mercy story- I was putting in my contacts and dropped one. Well, it's a small clear thing, and I was surrounded by dirt! How on earth was I gonna find it? I did have an extra set, but at this point that extra pair was about 2 miles back, and it would've taken a lot more time I didn't want to spend to retrieve them. I had broken my nose a few days before this trip so the thought of hiking with my glasses on, though do-able, wasn't a happy one. I offered that "I know this is such a small thing but please please" prayer...looked down and guess what?! It was hanging on the side of the actual contact case. It wasn't even a "direct" fall place for it to land so for certain placed there by Providence. That's just one example of tender mercies on this trip so when I say it was "easier than I thought" take that knowing that was mainly due to prayer.) It wasn't easy, but I did better than I thought I would with a pack on, and catching up with several old friends and getting to know some new ones made the time go quickly. We stopped at "Rock Falls/ Little Navajo Falls" before ever getting to camp. The falls were so beautiful and a welcome cooling off point. I also met some of the other friends, another group from Arizona, so it was good to chat with them. We found our campsite and then later that day we went to Havasu falls. 
Saturday we went to Mooney Falls followed by Beaver Falls. We thought it was a much shorter hike (time wise and distance wise) and we hiked through the water there at took the trail back. Down to Mooney Falls it's pretty steep and you use the chains to get down. My roommate is scared of hikes, as is my friends Camilla and another girl there, Libby. They made it though and I was proud of them for it. I admittedly was stressed about my roommate most of the time. She wasn't wearing that great of shoes for such a long and strenuous hike. Lets just say she and I were praying a lot during this entire trip, but especially on the way to Beaver. We made it though and enjoyed the beauty along the way. While hiking one of the girls said, "You know what?! This is the only thing on our 'to do' list today!" It was super nice to have a break from work and relax.
