The day had finally came...

I was scheduled for surgery that morning at 10. It was a nerve racking night to say the least. I don't really remember if I even slept at all that night. My parents and grandparents made it there in one piece and didn't even get lost. Then at about 8:30 they came and got me to take me down stairs to prep me. My parents pastor even came to sit with my family during surgery. He prayed with us before they took me down, and I almost started crying then. It was comforting to have him there.
On the way down, I was putting on a show for my family to show them I wasn't scared but deep down in side I was scared. Scared out of my mind!! I just didn't want them to worry any more than they had too. The guy put my chart in my lap, and I asked if I could look through it. He said it was my information so I could do whatever I wanted with it. So I started flipping through, and I stopped on pictures. They had taken pictures of my colon during the scope on Monday. It was so cool. I started to show all my family. I now know what UC looks like.
We made it to the family waiting room, and he sent my family in. That's when I lost it. I didn't want to sit back there with out someone with me. When I lost it, Andrew lost it too. The guy told me that I needed to be back there by myself for about 10 minutes so they could hook me up to a heart and blood pressure moniter. I so didn't want to be by myself but those were the fastest 10 minutes of my life. Andrew was the first to come back and when he walked in I started crying again. Then he started again. My nurse noticed that I was crying and asked if I wanted anything to calm my nerves and of course I said yes. Andrew left the room because everyone wanted a chance to come see me. My parents came. I cried so much when my daddy held my hand. I didn't know if I was going to make it or not and I was so afraid of what was going to happen.
Carlie and my grandmother were the last two to come back. Everyone told me that they loved me and that they would be waiting in my room for me when I got finished.
Andrew came back to sit with me before they came and got me for surgery. While we were waiting which felt like eternity, a guy that works there noticed Andrew's Bama hat. He came to talk to us to keep our minds off of what was about to happen. He was great! I'm sorry I can't remember his name, but he really helped us. The person that puts you to sleep( I can even think of where to begin on how to spell that word) came in and gave me the medicine that calms your nerves, and I was out. Andrew said I only slept for about 30 minutes, but it felt longer to me.
Dr. Cannon was running a little behind so I didn't go back for surgery until about 11 or 11:30. When I had to tell Andrew bye that was the hardest thing in my life to do!! I was still crying when they took me in the room. Dr. Sing (surgery team dr.) was back there to help me relax a bit before they put me to sleep.
The surgery was only suppost to last about an hour and a half, but I was back there for all most three. Months later my mom told me that Andrew sat in a chair and cried the whole time. My family was given a number that was used to checking on me. They were called when I was asleep, before the first cut, and when I was placed in recovery. Dr. Cannon did come out after surgery was over and told my family how everything went. She told them that my colon was covered in UC both on the inside and outside and that I was luck to have made it this long before surgery.
I don't remember much from recovery other than asking where's my family, I need something for pain, and begging to see Andrew. I do however remember being wheeled to my room. Outside my room was my aunt that lives in Birmingham, my family, and Andrew. I was so happy to be in my room. I was in the recovery room for about 4 hours.
My nurse was really nice and was gentle moving me from the strechter to my hospital bed. THAT HURT SO BAD!! I was crying when she left my room. By this time I still hadn't seen what was done.
I remember waking Andrew up to help me roll over on my side. I was in serious pain. I think I woke him up about 4 times that night to help me roll over. I have never been in that much pain im my entire life!! I was just 21! I know I was making him mad but I needed the help.
That next morning, Dr. Cannon and the surgery team came in to check on me. It was the first time I had seen what they had done. I had a cut that started just below my bellybutton and bag on my belly to catch my poop. It hurt for me to even push the cover off of me. They all looked at me and told me that I needed to walk at some point that day!! I looked at them and told them that they were crazy. There was no way I could walk. I was in too much pain, and I had to carry both a poop and urine bag!! How could I walk and have to carry so much stuff?!?!
I just got done eating my breakfast (Jello the breakfast of Champions!!) when Paige and Brian walked in!! It was so good to see them! I had seen anybody on this side of the state in over 4 weeks. I told them about what the drs. had said and my response to what they had to say. They just laughed. They told me that David, Christine, and the kids where coming up tomorrow.
My mom was so happy to see some of the new people that we had met come to visit. She knew that she would have some look after her daughter and that made her feel good. Later on that night, I did get out of my room to walk. Andrew and I made sure that we had people to help us. My mom was on one side, Carlie on the other, Dad behind me, and Andrew in front. They all were going make sure that I was not going to fall. It hurt to laugh, walk, and move off the bed. Don't even ask me to sneeze!! I thought I was going to cry when I had to sneeze!!
I also kept my room cold. It was so cold that you could have hung meat in there. My dad and I were the only ones happy about it. Andrew bless his heart slept with out four blankets and was still cold. I was constantly kicking the cover off and asking him to turn the air down. I think I even froze Paige out of the room.
David, Christine, and the kids came by on Saturday to check on me. It was great to see them as well. David was a little nervous when he saw all the tubes that were coming out of me. My nurse came in to empty my urine bag which caused David to leave the room. He and Andrew went down to the deli so Andrew could get him something to eat. Christine and Anna stayed with me. They even brought me a new coloring book!! I loved it. :) I showed Anna and Christine what my belly looked like because if I was in their shoes I would have wanted to see!!
I enjoyed every minute of all the visits that I had when I was in Birmingham.
Later that Saturday night, my cousin that I haven't seen in 5 years came to visit me!! It was so good to see Blake. They brought me a milkshake, and it was so good. I was finally put back on normal food later that day! Now people should know why I HATE broth and Jello!! I will not touch either of them with a 10 foot pole!! I told all of them that I was sorry if I was rude to them a few days ago. They told me that if they were in my shoes that they would have more than likely acted the same way maybe even worse. I was glad to know that they weren't mad at me!!