What I did this summer....

It has been a while since my last post. Because my appendix burst. Because it burst and I had no idea for, uh, quite a while. Here are some photos to fill in the story:

Mid-July, I dog sat Lucy. I remembering feeling a cramp on my right side, and feeling really tired and cold. But, we had fun as a pack: Two Lues and a Christie Sue (Luke, Lucy, and me).

By Sunday, I was feeling OK during the day, but evenings and nights were more painful. And, I was cold (really cold). I met a friend for the Block Party. We saw Phantogram (so many guys who thought the lead singer had "mystical" hair--she really did). I had to leave during Neko Case's encore because I was so.cold (granted it has been a chilly Seattle summer, but not really hoodie and blanket cold).

Maybe Luke was giving me a clue: He mussed the guest bed, beckoning my mom for an emergency visit?

Finally, I made an appointment to see the doctor. For having an exploded organ, things went as smoothly as possible. The doctor sent me for tests, giving Margaret time to come for transport (she also held my hand as they poked and jabbed my tender tummy). I made a contingency plan for Luke: If Sara didn't hear from me by 4, she would take Luke home with her for the night. The sonogram and CT showed the burst and a softball-sized abscess. So, Margaret-Brave fought cross-town traffic and got to me the hospital in time for the nurses to changes shifts (so I got to hurry up and wait). Meanwhile, my mom was making plans to fly to Seattle to take care of...everything (mostly me and Luke).

Pre-IV. Pre-Pain. But the slippers are cute, right?

After a night of IV antibiotics, I went to Intervention Radiology and had Fester the Drain Bag inserted (the nurses told me that this hurt, but they kept giving me pain meds. Thanks!). I was a little confused since there wasn't much collected in the bag, but later learned that most of the infection was removed during the procedure.

Ok, I'll admit. This part hurt. I was sore, the tape from the bag was causing me to boil, and ouch. Sob.

I really hated Fester.

But, the doctor did remove Fester the Drain Bag and I could get around easier. I was still tired and on massive antibiotics, but I had a nice support crew to assist.

Nurse Luke Nightingale

Work, Joyce, My Sister, Katie, and Margaret sent some lovely flowers. Nina brought cookies; Leah made me a killer cauliflower dish and brought me some fun mags to read.

Luke promised to be my appendix protector forever:

 I (mostly) felt up to a birthday eve dinner with my mom:

Mom went back to KC on the 3rd :(. After I dropped her off, I got to see Ursie and clan at the park. Margaret brought over a cake. I had a little candle that looked somewhat like a cross between a ? and a 3. Then, Megan and I went to see the Dark Knight.

Since, I've been resting and telling Luke stories. I'm still tired, but also mighty and strong!

All in all, the best part is knowing how many family and friends send love and well wishes: