At this point, you're probably sick and tired of hearing about my appendectomy. I'm nearly a month removed from the surgery and recovering well. I thought about ending this series with part 2; however, one question plagued my mind throughout this entire process and I just knew I had to blog about it. This will be the final installment of Losing an Organ.
The question: why would God give us an organ we don't need?
Not only did I ask myself this question, others around me asked the same. At first, I didn't have an answer. Frankly, I still don't have a concrete answer to the question yet I feel more at peace with the understanding I've arrived at.
There's certainly a scientific aspect to all this so it should come as no surprise that I quickly conducted a google search once I returned home from the hospital: "What is the purpose of the appendix?"
Turns out, this question isn't easily answered even among scientists and doctors. There are a variety of theories on what the appendix actually does. I won't bore you with them all here, but many agree it's somehow involved with the digestion process. So while no one can come to a clear agreement, most agree the appendix does (or did) serve some purpose. Even so, why would we have an organ we can live completely fine without? Losing a kidney makes sense. The other picks up the slack. Same with losing an eye or an arm. Yet organs like the appendix and gall bladder can be removed with seemingly no side effects.
I don't believe there's a clear cut answer on this. For believers, we know God created humanity and his creation was perfect, flawless. Sin entered the world and changed everything. Once immortal, humans gave into temptation and became mortal. Not only were our emotions and spirits flawed, our bodies became flawed as well. Women must now endure great pain during childbearing. Our bones break. Viruses make us sick. Diseases plague thousands. At the very moment sin entered the world (or even over thousands of years), perhaps some of our organs started to deteriorate, ceasing to work as they should.
This is but another theory as this is likely one of those questions that can never be answered fully. The thought I keep back to is this: maybe God left these flawed organs there as a reminder of our mortality.
I've no idea where my appendix is now. Incinerated? In some lab being examined? What I know for sure is it's no longer present in body. As of now, my heart still beats. My lungs give me breath. Yet one day...they too will join my appendix. Deteriorated. Flawed. No longer needed.
Showing posts with label writing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label writing. Show all posts
Thursday, March 08, 2012
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Losing an Organ (Part 2)
Fortunately, I noticed the signs early enough the appendix hadn't ruptured. The surgeons were also optimistic they could perform the appendectomy laparoscopically. Those two factors significantly shorten the recovery time post-surgery. I'm sure many of you have had surgery before; however, this was my first time so I was constantly making observations about the way things are performed. First and foremost, I'm still incredibly amazed by the fact we live in a world were I can have an organ stop working, I pay a total stranger to remove it, and then have total strangers provide me with 24/7 care for as long as I need it.
My wife is a nurse at the University of Kentucky hospital so it's only natural that I had the surgery performed there. I came away incredibly impressed at the overall quality of the hospital, the entire staff, and the efficiency of the whole process. Of course, there's always a waiting game when it comes to surgery, but the entire day still seems like a blur to me. I went into the ER around 11am and was take straight back to a room. By 8pm that evening, I was being prepared for surgery. Being "prepared" for surgery includes a number of unpleasant details I will spare you. If you're not sure what I'm referring to then hopefully you'll never have to find out.
The effects of anesthesia are different for each person. Some report large blocks of time they're unable to remember. Others slur their words and speak with no emotional filter at all. I remember every moment leading up to the surgery and I remember the moment I started to come to. As they wheeled me into the operating room, they began to place the heart monitors on my chest. They placed a mask on my face and boom, I was gone. Totally oblivious to the world and everything around me. No count to 10. No look at the ceiling for 5 seconds. Just completely gone.
For doctors and nurses who work with this sort of technology every day, this doesn't seem like a big deal. I try to talk to my wife about this sort of thing, but she looks at me like I'm crazy. For someone on the outside though, the entire medial field is truly a phenomenon. As I sat in the hospital bed, my thoughts drifted to the inevitable bill sure to arrive in the mail a few weeks upon my return home. I looked around the room and started to think about just how much it cost to provide me care. I thought about the nurses and technicians, the equipment, and even the hospital bed itself. All were of outstanding quality. Then I thought about the service provided by the surgeon and her team. What would I be willing to pay for all of it? Anything. That's right...anything. When you really get to the heart of the matter, everyone at that hospital has a hand in saving my life.
We often take these sorts of things for granted because surgeries and hospitals are so common in our 2012 world. But isn't it true these people saved my life? In another time and place, my life would have ended at the age of 25. The appendix would have ruptured and almost certainly taken my life. But in today's world, I'll be going back to work next week. So combined with insurance and my own personal funds, I'll pay off my debt to the University of Kentucky over the next several weeks. But is a debt like this ever truly repaid? I never even got a chance to thank the surgeon who performed the appendectomy, she was quickly off to perform another procedure, likely saving another life. My hospital bed is now empty and the nurses prepare to care for the next patient in need. I can't possibly take the time to thank them all...but I hope they all know just how appreciative I am.
I didn't say anything too off the wall as the drugs wore off. One nurse said I just kept saying "thank you." I wouldn't have it any other way.
My wife is a nurse at the University of Kentucky hospital so it's only natural that I had the surgery performed there. I came away incredibly impressed at the overall quality of the hospital, the entire staff, and the efficiency of the whole process. Of course, there's always a waiting game when it comes to surgery, but the entire day still seems like a blur to me. I went into the ER around 11am and was take straight back to a room. By 8pm that evening, I was being prepared for surgery. Being "prepared" for surgery includes a number of unpleasant details I will spare you. If you're not sure what I'm referring to then hopefully you'll never have to find out.
The effects of anesthesia are different for each person. Some report large blocks of time they're unable to remember. Others slur their words and speak with no emotional filter at all. I remember every moment leading up to the surgery and I remember the moment I started to come to. As they wheeled me into the operating room, they began to place the heart monitors on my chest. They placed a mask on my face and boom, I was gone. Totally oblivious to the world and everything around me. No count to 10. No look at the ceiling for 5 seconds. Just completely gone.
For doctors and nurses who work with this sort of technology every day, this doesn't seem like a big deal. I try to talk to my wife about this sort of thing, but she looks at me like I'm crazy. For someone on the outside though, the entire medial field is truly a phenomenon. As I sat in the hospital bed, my thoughts drifted to the inevitable bill sure to arrive in the mail a few weeks upon my return home. I looked around the room and started to think about just how much it cost to provide me care. I thought about the nurses and technicians, the equipment, and even the hospital bed itself. All were of outstanding quality. Then I thought about the service provided by the surgeon and her team. What would I be willing to pay for all of it? Anything. That's right...anything. When you really get to the heart of the matter, everyone at that hospital has a hand in saving my life.
We often take these sorts of things for granted because surgeries and hospitals are so common in our 2012 world. But isn't it true these people saved my life? In another time and place, my life would have ended at the age of 25. The appendix would have ruptured and almost certainly taken my life. But in today's world, I'll be going back to work next week. So combined with insurance and my own personal funds, I'll pay off my debt to the University of Kentucky over the next several weeks. But is a debt like this ever truly repaid? I never even got a chance to thank the surgeon who performed the appendectomy, she was quickly off to perform another procedure, likely saving another life. My hospital bed is now empty and the nurses prepare to care for the next patient in need. I can't possibly take the time to thank them all...but I hope they all know just how appreciative I am.
I didn't say anything too off the wall as the drugs wore off. One nurse said I just kept saying "thank you." I wouldn't have it any other way.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Losing an Organ (Part 1)
As of Friday, February 10, 2012, I had never broken a bone, never had surgery, and never lost an organ. By Saturday, February 11, two of those claims suddenly became untrue. As of today, I no longer have an appendix and have had my first (hopefully last) surgery. I'm sure many of you out there have had operations before, perhaps even an appendectomy. However, based on all the observations I've made the past few days, I felt compelled to blog about my overall experience. I quickly realized I would not be able to fit all my thoughts into one blog post. So here is the 1st part of what is sure to be 2 or 3 more posts regarding my recent appendectomy.
I suppose this appendix gone bad actually started several weeks ago. Those of you who know me personally know that I've weighed roughly the exact same weight since high school. I graduated from high school roughly 8 years ago and have fluctuated maybe 5 pounds during those 8 years, always settling back around what I weighed back in 2004. Throughout the month of January and into the month of February, I began to notice the dreaded tightness in the waist. Pants that fit mere weeks ago were now just a bit too smug for me. I chalked it up to too much feasting over the holidays, a sedentary workplace, and my love for sweets. I cut back and started to exercise more. This seemed to be helping, yet I still noticed a pudginess in my stomach that wasn't there before. I exercised more and thought nothing of it. Simply the reality of getting older...or so I thought.
Last Thursday evening, I ate a salad for dinner and felt particularly bloated afterward. I didn't eat anything for the rest of the evening and hoped the sensation would go away. I took a few antacid tablets anticipating they would settle my stomach. I woke up Friday morning and felt strong cramps around my "bladder area." The beginning of a kidney stone? Bladder infection? I had no clue. I called into work and let them know I wasn't feeling well and planned on working half a day. I slept a few more hours and went into work around 11. Throughout the day the cramps got worse. Friday evening, they were unbearable. The worst part? I began to notice a sharper pain in my lower right abdomen. That's when it hit me...appendicitis.
I tried my best to sleep through the night, hoping the pain would cease, praying my diagnosis was inaccurate. By 11am Saturday morning, I knew I had to see a doctor. Rather than go to a standard walk-in clinic, I went straight to the ER. Prior to going in, I spoke with one of my in-laws who's an ER doctor. His quick phone diagnosis? Classic signs of appendicitis. At this point, I felt pretty certain both of us were right; so much so that I packed up my iPad, phone charger, and a book before I set out for the ER.
After a series of pokes and prods, blood tests and CT scans, a doctor came back into my room with the results. "Looks like you were both right. You have appendicitis and you're appendix is probably coming out today."
I suppose this appendix gone bad actually started several weeks ago. Those of you who know me personally know that I've weighed roughly the exact same weight since high school. I graduated from high school roughly 8 years ago and have fluctuated maybe 5 pounds during those 8 years, always settling back around what I weighed back in 2004. Throughout the month of January and into the month of February, I began to notice the dreaded tightness in the waist. Pants that fit mere weeks ago were now just a bit too smug for me. I chalked it up to too much feasting over the holidays, a sedentary workplace, and my love for sweets. I cut back and started to exercise more. This seemed to be helping, yet I still noticed a pudginess in my stomach that wasn't there before. I exercised more and thought nothing of it. Simply the reality of getting older...or so I thought.
Last Thursday evening, I ate a salad for dinner and felt particularly bloated afterward. I didn't eat anything for the rest of the evening and hoped the sensation would go away. I took a few antacid tablets anticipating they would settle my stomach. I woke up Friday morning and felt strong cramps around my "bladder area." The beginning of a kidney stone? Bladder infection? I had no clue. I called into work and let them know I wasn't feeling well and planned on working half a day. I slept a few more hours and went into work around 11. Throughout the day the cramps got worse. Friday evening, they were unbearable. The worst part? I began to notice a sharper pain in my lower right abdomen. That's when it hit me...appendicitis.
I tried my best to sleep through the night, hoping the pain would cease, praying my diagnosis was inaccurate. By 11am Saturday morning, I knew I had to see a doctor. Rather than go to a standard walk-in clinic, I went straight to the ER. Prior to going in, I spoke with one of my in-laws who's an ER doctor. His quick phone diagnosis? Classic signs of appendicitis. At this point, I felt pretty certain both of us were right; so much so that I packed up my iPad, phone charger, and a book before I set out for the ER.
After a series of pokes and prods, blood tests and CT scans, a doctor came back into my room with the results. "Looks like you were both right. You have appendicitis and you're appendix is probably coming out today."
Monday, June 21, 2010
50,000 words
Wow. It just sounds crazy to say it, but I have officially eclipsed 50,000 words in the first book of my trilogy. Just to put that in perspective, the first Harry Potter book is 309 pages and around 77,000 words. You see, 50,000 words is special for me because I think I've subconsciously deemed it as the point of no return. In terms of plot, I would say I have at least 1/4 of the book left to go including a pretty big climax I have planned. I also need to go back and flesh out some details on characters, as well as add a few things to make everything flow together. Of course, then begins the monotonous process of editing, but I'll be thrilled if I can even get there...when I get there.
I still have quite a ways to go, but as I said earlier, I am officially deeming this as the point of no return. For years I've dabbled here and there with some ideas, fleshed out some characters, and written outlines for the trilogy, but never have I fully committed 100% to finishing this book. In fact, I honestly wasn't sure if I ever would finish it. I am now happy to say that whether this book is read by 2, two thousand, or two million, I am going to finish it. Whether it's published across the world or simply posted here on this blog, I am going to finish it.
Something just came over me today and I felt really inspired to write. I've been sitting here for the past couple of hours writing one of the most thrilling sections of book 1. For the first time since I've been writing Kedu, I was actually brought to tears tonight. It's something I had been planning for a while, but as I started to write it down, I couldn't help myself from being moved to tears. Now I'm not saying I have the next big hit on my hands, but if I can get attached to these characters enough to cry for them, I have a feeling others may do the same.
From the start, the thing that was always most important to me was the characters. I may not have the most advanced writing style or use a lot of complicated words, but I feel that I have truly created a group of lovable characters. That brings me to the book itself. I am not sure I've ever discussed the actual contents of the book on my blog, but now is just as good a time as any.
During my undergraduate years, I had a blind professor. Many of the students were constantly amazed at his ability to lecture, remember facts, and use his other senses without sight. It's pretty fascinating how his ability to hear, smell, taste, and touch is probably 10 times what I'm capable of.
As I thought more and more about this idea, I soon came up with the idea of the Proeliators. Basically, the Proeliators are an ancient group of warriors who protect the land of Vale. Their powers come from their incredible ability to sense the world around them. Their senses of sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch are so advanced, that they are nearly unstoppable in battle. Their heightened senses also make them some of the most advanced spell casters in my world.
I don't want to give too much away because, after all, I want you guys to read it one day! Basically though, my trilogy tells the story of Vale's last Proeliator.
I can definitely see myself finishing the book this year, maybe even this summer if I have more writing days like I did today (although editing is another story entirely). I have a cousin who leaves to read, as well as a few friends who I think would be happy to proofread. I never really understood it when authors said that you can't write with the sole hope of it getting published...that is until now. I genuinely want to finish this story for the sake of my characters...and for myself. If it gets published, that would be a dream come true. If not, you guys can look forward to reading it here on the blog one day.
I still have quite a ways to go, but as I said earlier, I am officially deeming this as the point of no return. For years I've dabbled here and there with some ideas, fleshed out some characters, and written outlines for the trilogy, but never have I fully committed 100% to finishing this book. In fact, I honestly wasn't sure if I ever would finish it. I am now happy to say that whether this book is read by 2, two thousand, or two million, I am going to finish it. Whether it's published across the world or simply posted here on this blog, I am going to finish it.
Something just came over me today and I felt really inspired to write. I've been sitting here for the past couple of hours writing one of the most thrilling sections of book 1. For the first time since I've been writing Kedu, I was actually brought to tears tonight. It's something I had been planning for a while, but as I started to write it down, I couldn't help myself from being moved to tears. Now I'm not saying I have the next big hit on my hands, but if I can get attached to these characters enough to cry for them, I have a feeling others may do the same.
From the start, the thing that was always most important to me was the characters. I may not have the most advanced writing style or use a lot of complicated words, but I feel that I have truly created a group of lovable characters. That brings me to the book itself. I am not sure I've ever discussed the actual contents of the book on my blog, but now is just as good a time as any.
During my undergraduate years, I had a blind professor. Many of the students were constantly amazed at his ability to lecture, remember facts, and use his other senses without sight. It's pretty fascinating how his ability to hear, smell, taste, and touch is probably 10 times what I'm capable of.
As I thought more and more about this idea, I soon came up with the idea of the Proeliators. Basically, the Proeliators are an ancient group of warriors who protect the land of Vale. Their powers come from their incredible ability to sense the world around them. Their senses of sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch are so advanced, that they are nearly unstoppable in battle. Their heightened senses also make them some of the most advanced spell casters in my world.
I don't want to give too much away because, after all, I want you guys to read it one day! Basically though, my trilogy tells the story of Vale's last Proeliator.
I can definitely see myself finishing the book this year, maybe even this summer if I have more writing days like I did today (although editing is another story entirely). I have a cousin who leaves to read, as well as a few friends who I think would be happy to proofread. I never really understood it when authors said that you can't write with the sole hope of it getting published...that is until now. I genuinely want to finish this story for the sake of my characters...and for myself. If it gets published, that would be a dream come true. If not, you guys can look forward to reading it here on the blog one day.
Tuesday, June 08, 2010
Am I living in a sideways world?
So I wrote up a blog the other day and for some odd reason, it didn't actually post to the site. Some of it was saved, but a large portion of it was lost. Me being too lazy to re-write, I put off the blog post until now. I'll try to re-create the original post as best I can.
Do you ever have those days when something just feels off? A few weeks back (before the end of LOST), I tweeted that exact statement. One of my friends jokingly said that perhaps I was living in a flashsideways world.
Now to add more fuel to the fire, I've noticed several strange coincidences occurring in my life.
Since the end of LOST, I'm sure you've noticed that my blogging has been pretty lackluster (*cough* nonexistent *cough*). I have thought a lot about my blog and where I want it to go; however, I don't feel any closer to figuring it out than I did before. I can't decide if I want to blog on a myriad of topics or focus on one thing of which I am a big fan (sports? video games? technology?). Maybe some of you can help.
There are two things in my life I'm working on right now so it would be great if the blog could help me with one (or both). Number 1: Live a healthier lifestyle (exercising more, eating better, drinking less soda, etc...). Number 2: Write more. Many of you know that I've started work on a trilogy, but it's something I've never had the drive to finish. I've typed over 150 pages and am just over 45,000 words. I actually have many of the major plot points already worked out in my head. Maybe I just need to "get my [butt] in the chair and write," as Pat Rothfuss so eloquently wrote in my signed copy of The Name of the Wind.
Regardless, let me know if you have any ideas on where my blog should go from here.
Do you ever have those days when something just feels off? A few weeks back (before the end of LOST), I tweeted that exact statement. One of my friends jokingly said that perhaps I was living in a flashsideways world.
Now to add more fuel to the fire, I've noticed several strange coincidences occurring in my life.
- During a job interview last week, I interviewed at a location that looked incredibly similar to to a place I interned at back in college. Ok, that's normal enough. Buildings often look the same of course. To make things more interesting though, the gentlemen I interviewed with was a UofL graduate (same as me) with a Communication degree (same as me). Not only that, he had just got married and his wife worked as nurse where she was preparing to start a new job at the same hospital where my wife works as a nurse. Weird, huh?
- Also found out recently that 2 different couples I've known for about a year or so have the same wedding anniversary as me and my wife (June 6).
- I also find out that someone I just met is now working as an intern in a Communication department where I used to work myself.
- Finally, in class the other day, our discussion somehow arrived at evolutionary psychology, which was a major point of an article I presented on later in class.
Since the end of LOST, I'm sure you've noticed that my blogging has been pretty lackluster (*cough* nonexistent *cough*). I have thought a lot about my blog and where I want it to go; however, I don't feel any closer to figuring it out than I did before. I can't decide if I want to blog on a myriad of topics or focus on one thing of which I am a big fan (sports? video games? technology?). Maybe some of you can help.
There are two things in my life I'm working on right now so it would be great if the blog could help me with one (or both). Number 1: Live a healthier lifestyle (exercising more, eating better, drinking less soda, etc...). Number 2: Write more. Many of you know that I've started work on a trilogy, but it's something I've never had the drive to finish. I've typed over 150 pages and am just over 45,000 words. I actually have many of the major plot points already worked out in my head. Maybe I just need to "get my [butt] in the chair and write," as Pat Rothfuss so eloquently wrote in my signed copy of The Name of the Wind.
Regardless, let me know if you have any ideas on where my blog should go from here.
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