[missmaryjean]

Post OP Day 1

Doing pretty good. The surgery was pretty quick. I went back around 10:40 and surgery was at 10:50 and I was in recovery a little after 12. I was out of recovery around 12:45 and home by 1:30. I basically have no sciatica pain. Some surgical soreness. I’ve been using ice and pain meds. I’m hoping the rest of my recovery goes this well. I’m off work for 4 weeks, at least. I’ll know more at my follow up in a few weeks.

[missmaryjean]

It’s been a long time. The last post was 4.5 years ago. Recovery from the lasik was fine. I did have to get the left eye redone that June, I still had significant astigmatism left. I feel like I may need glasses already, but I need to go to the eye doctor and get that checked out. Since the last post I’ve also lost quite a bit of weight. 90lbs at the most , but I’ve gained some back, still sitting at 70lbs lost. I was on Mounjaro for most of that weight loss, but I haven’t been on it for months.

For the last 10 months I’ve been dealing with back/hip pain. Turns out I had a her posted disc and I’ve been dealing with significant sciatica in my right leg for months. I had a steroid injection in January with only mild relief and I’m now having surgery on Thursday. I’m very nervous. For the anesthesia and recovery. I’ve never had general anesthesia and I’m worried I won’t wake up. I’m worried that after surgery I’ll re-herniate and things will be worse. Here’s hoping.

[missmaryjean]

I got Lasik!! The procedure was yesterday afternoon. From check-in to end of the procedure and back to the waiting room it was 30 minutes! I was nervous the whole time but the staff was amazing. Someone kept their hand on my arm the whole time and patted it in between steps and I can’t tell you how much that helped.

The numbing medication wore off about 20 minutes after I left and that is when the fun began (sarcastic). My eyes were stinging and burning for about 4 hours. I took some Motrin and took a little nap. Woke up and they were still burning and stinging but not as bad. I then took some Tylenol. By the time I went to bed last night, the pain was gone.

This morning I had a follow-up appointment and other than my eyes being a little dry, everything is going well. My right eye was 20/20 and my left was 20/30. My left eye has always had the worse prescription so it took some more correction and will take some time to catch-up. I have to do steroid drops 5 times a day for two days, then down to 3 times a day for 5. Antibiotic drops 4 times a day for 5 days. I also use lubricating drops as many times as I need to. At night I have to sleep with eye shields for the next 4 nights.

It’s seems crazy how well I can see after just one day. I was able to drive today, watch TV (with subtitles) and be on my phone. I can’t wait to see how the next few days go!

[missmaryjean]

I restarted Weight Watchers this week. I’m feeling good about it. The last time I was committed to the program was in the beginning of 2017. I lost almost 30 lbs in the first 5 months. Then I lost my job and started travel nursing. Moving around and not knowing the areas I was in made it hard to stay on track. Since then I gained back those 30lbs and gained about another 15. The extra 15 I’ve gained have been in the last 6 months. I’ve been doordashing food at least once a day, and not healthy food either. I feel ready for it. I have non-scale victories that I want to accomplish, as well as see that number get a lot lower. I’m just gonna take it one day and one week at a time.

[missmaryjean]

I got my second dose of the covid vaccine on Wednesday and definitely had worse side effects this time. The day after I dealt with a dull headache all day, body/muscle aches, fatigue, a sore injection site that was was also red, warm, swollen and hard. I just felt “blah”. I’m not sure I got a fever. My temperature was definitely higher than it normally was. I tracked it throughout the day it was anywhere from 99.8-100.2. I think I might have had a fever last night. I remember waking up my legs and feet felt slick, I didn’t check my temperature because, I fell back asleep pretty quickly. This morning I woke up and basically felt back to normal. My temperature was 98.2 and I only had injection site symptoms. The redness has gone done, the pain is definitely less. It is still warm, swollen and hard. It’s also slightly itchy. I’ll definitely take these mild side effects of the vaccine, over actual Covid any day.

A lot of the people I work with, got their second dose on Wednesday and basically all of us felt like crap on Thursday. Almost everybody had some type of headache, sore arms and some people had fevers. We were all working at half speed that day. 

Iowa opened up vaccines to people 65 and up today and I was able to score my dad a spot for his first vaccine next week. I wasn’t able to get one for my mom, because as soon as I finished signing my dad up and put her information in, all the spots were filled up. I should be able to get her spot next week, when they open up some more appointments.

[missmaryjean]

Day 2 post Moderna Covid Vaccine

The worst side effects I’ve had are a sore arm (where the injection was) and fatigue. I went to bed at like 7:30 pm yesterday and slept about 10 hours and then I took a nap this afternoon. The sore arm was the worst yesterday. I took some Tylenol a few times and that seemed to help. Today it’s really just sore/tender to the touch. I have read that people feel the worst side effects after the second dose so, we’ll see what happens in a month!

[missmaryjean]

Got the first dose of my Covid-19 vaccine!

[missmaryjean]

Covid hit my family again. My oldest brother got himself and his kids tested yesterday, so they could come over to my parents (where I also live) house on Christmas Eve for dinner. Unfortunately, my 6 year old nephew tested positive. He has no symptoms and they weren’t aware of any exposures. He does go to school so, I assume that’s where he got it. Thank goodness they got tested. My brother and niece tested negative and I don’t think my sister-in-law had gotten tested yet. I believe she was at home with the 15 month old so, the older ones could get tested. My second oldest brother also got tested yesterday, so that he could come over as well, and I think his test was negative, but he was at my brother’s house yesterday so he was exposed yesterday. This means Christmas Eve will be my parents, my youngest brother and his wife, their two kids and me. They didn’t get tested because covid already went through their house 5 weeks ago.

I can’t get this vaccine fast enough. Get in my body!

[missmaryjean]

Late (late) update. That pain went away. I’m keeping a close eye on that area. I’m due for my yearly mammogram next month so, that will give me some peace of mind.

I’ve settled into my new job. The last 2 months were pretty stressful at work, because my co-worker, the nurse for the other doc in the office, went on maternity leave and we didn’t have help most days and that was rough. Near the end our new manager helped us out quite a bit and got some people to cover those shifts, which really helped. My coworker came back last week and we were really excited until she told us she had put her 2 week notice in. That brought us down quite a bit. Hopefully, they get someone hired quickly so, I can get them trained.

Covid finally hit my family. My sister-in-law, also a nurse, contracted it and my nephew (her son) tested positive a few days later. My brother and niece both tested negative, but I believe my brother’s test was a false negative and my niece had already had it and was no longer positive. My brother had symptoms and I just find it hard to believe that he didn’t have it, since he sleeps in the same bed and is definitely closer than 6 feet. My niece on the otherhand, I believe she had it first, because she had had a cough for like a month. She’s also the only one that’s doesn’t wear a mask, she’s too young, and she goes to day care. I had been around them the weekend prior to them testing positive, and I tested negative twice and didn’t have any symptoms. I’ve been trying to get tested 1-2 times a month through Test Iowa, just because I want to know if I’m asymptotic. I haven’t gotten one since mid November, because there were no available testing times. I decided to look last night and they actually had some openings for tomorrow so, I’m going to get tested on my day off in between some appointments.

I’m so sick of covid, like everybody else. I’m so ready for it to be over and we finally have hope! The first US doses of the Pfizer vaccine are being given today! My health system is starting to give out the vaccines this week to the “Tier 1” employees. Tier one mostly consists of nurses on inpatient floors of the hospital. It also includes the ER, and respiratory staff as well as the doctors. I’m considered to be Tier 2. That tier includes people who work in outpatient locations, that have a greater than 15 minutes of face-to-face exposure. I’m hoping they get all the Tier 1 people vaccinated quickly! I’m ready for that shot!

[missmaryjean]

Last Friday I started having breast pain and it is unlike any breast pain I’ve ever had in the 20 years that I’ve had breasts. That includes period and ovulation boob pain. I still checked my period tracker app to see if it said I was due to ovulate or if my period was coming. According to the app, my ovulation was over a week ago and my period isn’t due to start for over a week. Due to my family history of breast cancer, I got nervous. I feel like maybe I’m feeling something in my breast, but it could also just be my brain thinking something is there. I called My new breast care provider’s office, I was there for the first time about 2 months ago, to see if I need to be seen or not. I spoke to the nurse and she asked if I wear bra and I said yes, but not when I’m at home lounging or to sleep. She suggested that I wear my bra 24/7 for the next two weeks and if the pain has not gone away to call, and we would set up a visit with imaging. I don’t really know how this will help, but I’m going to listen to the professionals. I’m not looking forward to it, because I hate wearing bras at home and to sleep. Also, I currently only own two bras that I actually wear. I had already ordered new bras last week, because my current ones are old and I’m wearing the wrong size, but they aren’t here yet. Tonight I ordered some bras off Amazon and one from Torrid that are wire free. I’m hoping those are comfortable enough to wear to sleep. Praying that this helps the pain go away! 🤞🏻🤞🏻

[missmaryjean]

Day One!

Today is the first day of my new job! I’ve been unemployed since the end of May, when I finished my last travel assignment. It took me about 8 weeks to find a new job. I was particular in what jobs I applied for. I wanted out of the hospital and in the clinic area, but I was also particular about what type of clinic it was. I accepted a pediatric clinic job and I’m excited to try a new area of nursing! The pay is quite less than I’m used to, I expected that, but one perk is that they will pay off $10,000 in student loans for 5 years/$50,000. I believe my schedule will be Monday, Wednesday-Friday 8-4:30. I’ll have weekends and holidays off, on Christmas and New Years Eve, I’ll be out at noon. Also, I’ll get the Friday after Thanksgiving off. It’ll be an adjustment to working 4 days a week, instead of the 3 I’m used too, but I’m hoping it won’t be too difficult. Honestly the most difficult part will probably be getting up early and actually going to work, since I’ve been off for over two months.

I’ve spent the last two months spending time with family. I’ve gotten to spend a lot of time with my nieces and nephews and that’s been awesome. I also did some deep cleaning in our house. Binge watching has also been a part of my life. Lol. I’ve kept my social life to the minimum outside of seeing family. I haven’t seen any friends since I’ve been back. I have had some fun appointments (hair, massages and facials), but I wore masks when able and so did they. Anytime I’m in a store, I’m wearing a mask as well. I’m lucky with my health and I hope that continues .

[programmerhumour]

Funny how that works

[ferrousferrule]

I am so pleased at how many notes are some version of “I don’t fear the science, I fear the corporations who control it” because that is EXACTLY the attitude you should have. GMOs can save us. Monsanto will kill us.

[brunhiddensmusings]

what people fear about GMO- ‘theyre gonna make frankencarrots that crave human flesh and cause diarrhea ’ what GMO actually is- ‘we made rice crop that is both drought resistant and flood resistant which will prevent about 20% of major famine disasters, also it now makes vitamin A because vitamin A deficiency in poverty stricken areas is a major killer of kids as most vitamin A rich foods dont grow there’ what people SHOULD be upset about- ‘i made all crops sterile so all farmers have to buy the seed from me in perpetuity and i will sue anyone who tries to go back to crops that produce their own seed’

[aniseandspearmint]

^^^ THIS

[missmaryjean]

⬆️⬆️⬆️This

[missmaryjean]

I’m waiting to get my car loaded on the ferry. It’s an appropriate Grey Lady morning, as I say goodbye to Nantucket and traveling. This has been my life for the last three years and thankfully, it’s mostly had its “ups” rather than “downs”. I’ve been to some fun/interesting places and met some great people, and developed friendships that I hope will last for years upon years. I’ll miss exploring new places (and the money), but this pandemic, and being so far from family, has helped me decide it’s time to come home. Who knows, maybe in a year or two I’ll get the traveling bug and start again, but for now it’s Au revoir.

[missmaryjean]

Happy 32nd birthday to me. Honestly, this was probably the most disappointing/depressing birthday that I can remember. I’m sure that many people going through their birthdays during this time have felt the same. I was hoping to get put on-call today because we had an extra nurse schedule and our unit was empty so technically only needed one nurse on the unit. Unfortunately, there was a staffing mix-up and the 3 other nurses ended up being off and I had to work. That did not help the birthday situation. I was hoping to sleep in and get some treats from the store, maybe drive around the island a little bit. Instead worked 12 hours, on not enough sleep and not surrounded by people. I wouldn’t have been surrounded by people had I been off, but I also wouldn’t have been cooped up inside.

I have four shifts left and then I’m headed home. I’m stopping traveling and looking for a permanent position back home. This pandemic has just made me realize it’s time. Hoping the situation gets better so that I’ll be able to hug my family and hang out with my friends without fear of getting or giving the virus. Life in a pandemic! 😩

[missmaryjean]

Another month, another period. Still during the pandemic.

[missmaryjean]

Should be enjoying my first night in Rome, but instead, I’m eating Oreos in my bed. Stupid pandemic.

[missmaryjean]

Periods during Coronavirus quarantine should be illegal.