Monday, November 23, 2009

Feeling Groovy

Well, ventured out on a small outing this past weekend, to a WalMart south of here in a more urban setting, with my Mum and the girls. My oldest daughter had a special birthday party to go to. I medicated before I went in...just in case & wore a mask. However, less than 10 minutes in the superstore and my tongue was tingling and I felt suddenly weak and light headed.

So, I told Mum to carry on with what the girls needed (and our small list) and I would head out to the car. Got that wonderful little pain in my right lung, that usually indicates my respiratory system is about to get involved. Then, I suddenly had to go poo and pee all at the same time...but needed to exit the building too. So, I raced out to the car. Just in time to chirp in the parking lot. Aren't I special to go shopping with?

It's amazing HOW quickly all these body systems are activated. I epi sprayed and took prednisone, and additional dose of benadryl, reactine, Gastrocom and ranitidine...as directed by my Immunologist. Epi spray is the bomb, but it stings on the tongue. Prednisone makes me fat and bitchy. Benadryl zones me right out.

Mum and the girls came out to the car. I realized, at this point, the dangers in wanting to 'run away' and handle these reactions on my own. I do this. Run away. Or try to. Mum got to the car and said, "oh my God, look how red and blotchy you are!"...oh right, I was itchy too. I told her I needed a bathroom asap. So, we buckled and drove over to Tim Horton's, which is a mostly harmless place for me. God help the poor person who needed the loo after I was done in there. Post-surgical constipation alleviated in one small reaction....amazing.

My poor body. Recovering from this hysterectomy and having a flare up like this. So, I spent the rest of my weekend, recovering from this little outing. In some respects, it was good to 'activate' my digestive system as I'd been having post-surgery, normal, blocked bowels. Feeling all regular now. And was pretty much back to normal Sunday night....just tired.

I want to feel ridiculous for thinking I'd be ok for this outting...but as some good friends reminded me, it's normal to test your limits...especially when they are so limiting so much of the time. It's normal to hope that after a surgery of this magnitude that you'll be ALL better. Especially when you've been feeling so much lighter, so much more 'whole' and feeling like a bowling ball has been removed from your gut. It's just a bit of downer to realize that environments are still dangerous and hurtful to this body. Obviously, I still need to be careful, take my medications regularly and be smart about where and when to go places. Sigh...

3 comments:

Dawn Pongon said...

I can picture this in my mind. And judging from the lovely members of society who inhabit our Walmart, you could have crapped in the parking lot and no one would have thought twice about it! Glad you got up, hope you are listening to your body and getting the rest you need.

Faith said...

I completely understand why you would hope that it might be all different! I hope someday it will be or at least much better!

Jenn McKay said...

Walmart sucks! But it also sucks that you can't go there without having a reaction. On a happy note, thanks for teaching me a new word - chirp :)