I'm Okay, But.... || Another Health Update

Well, today was no fun. In the spirit of being honest, today really, really sucked. A lot. If you read yesterday's post, my plan was to play video games, watch Netflix and hope I feel better hour by hour. Ha. It was a nice dream.

It started with a fully sleepless night. Too much pain to sleep. My mom called the doctor first thing to ask about the trouble breathing. I was expecting her to say it was nothing, maybe have me come into the office for a w=quick check but I wasn't expecting much. She sent me to the ER. Right away. I'm not going to lie, I cried a lot this morning. Being in a lot of pain, sleep deprived, not being able to breathe well, running a fever and being scared does not lend to a great emotional state.

My mom and I headed to the ER. The wait wasn't too long. Turns out when you are 4 days post-op with a 102 fever and trouble breathing you skip most of the line. Silver lining, I guess? Right from the start the nurse was incredible nice which I appreciated so much. Stressful situations can be made all too stressful based on who you are dealing with. He listened to my chest, then the doctor listened to my chest, then the doctor said he didn't think it was a blood clot in my lung and my mom started crying. Apparently that's what my doctor thought it was. No one told me that, probably for the best. But my blood pressure was really low, I still had the fever and the breathing problems and it was just the start of the day. They wanted to run blood tests and also get me on IV fluids. Would have rather had IV iced tea but apparently that isn't an option. Get on that, science.

Here's the fun part. I have hard veins on a normal day. I had really bad veins today. I also hate needles more than I hate neon eye liner, and I really hate neon eye liner. The first person came in. 2 tries in 2 different arms and still no IV, he went to get the nurse. 2 more sticks in my right arm, no IV. Also worse than the sticks are after the needle is in and they are fishing around trying to find the vein. Not so nice. But then they got something that made my tech geek heart really happy. It was this giant thing that reflected a green laser onto my arm and SHOWED WHERE THE VEIN WAS INSIDE MY ARM. WHAT EVEN? They finally got the IV in. I get fluids which was nice. I also got some pain meds that broke the pain for the first time in days, that was really nice. Also made me sleepy.

It was about here where they took me for chest X-rays. There is still nothing stranger to me than being transported in the hospital. I left the room, got X-rays and came back, all without ever standing, most while laying down. They did the X-rays in my hospital bed. With the iv pain meds they didn't want to risk me falling.

We are going to skip ahead because I'm tired and on top of normal pain, my arms both hurt from being under assault today. No blood clot. Yay! Partly collapsed lung. Not so yay, but also not a big deal. I have to breathe into this thing and I'll be okay. The issue here is I'm competitive and want to beat how high i blew the thingy last time and I have to be careful and make sure I don't pass out.

They put me on stronger pain meds which is good because it was really hurting a lot. I'm planning on sleeping and resting tomorrow. Hopefully I don't end up back at the hospital, that would be nice.

On a funny note, every single person at the hospital that heard how much surgery I had done did a double take and looked actually dumbfounded that I was sent home that day.

Same. lol.

I'm going to rest. I guess I'll just keep posting updates as I have them. Hopefully no more days like this will happen. At least I'm okay :)

Health: An Update

Hello everyone! I would first like to start by thanking everyone for how well my last post was received. In only a week's time it has become the most read post I have ever put up on this blog. It was extremely hard for me to write and took a lot to put something that personal out there and the kind words I have received have meant a lot. If you haven't read my last post, you may want to before continuing because otherwise you may be very confused.

I had surgery bright and early Thursday morning. My biggest fear was another surgery where I woke up and they told me that they didn't know what was wrong and that they had done nothing. When I first woke up from surgery I was still pretty groggy. I couldn't see straight and everything hurt. There was a nurse next to me and I asked, in what I can only assume was barely english, if they took the ovary out? She told me that they had. I started crying. She came over concerned to calm me down and I quickly told her they were "happy tears" and then I fell back asleep. A while later I woke back up and was allowed to see my parents. When they came in I found out that they had also taken my appendix out. They also told me that they had found I have Endometriosis. I don't want to go into a ton of detail on that, you can look it up if you are interested, but it is very painful. They removed as much as possible and cauterized a ton of it. My ovary was also attached to my bowel, there were a ton of adhesions that had to be taken apart and lots and lots of scar tissue that was removed. They also did a D&C of the uterus. They did not take the fibroid tumor out. Because it is most likely not causing any problems and is small they opted not to because it would have resulted in a much longer and more painful surgery.

A lot was done so recovery is slow, but they are all good things. For the first time in years I have hope of getting my life back. It will be a slow road, and I know that, but I am willing to do anything I need to get there.

As far as an update on where I am in recovery this is a good little summary I put on Facebook for friends and family. Making progress for sure. I am still in a lot of pain, have to keep reminding myself just how much stuff they did and removed. The pain from the gas they put in seems to be gone, just back to dealing with the shoulder pain left from the accident. I'm having trouble breathing but I'm fairly sure that's just pain related. Also I've been running a low grade fever but we've talked to the doctor and they think it is just a pain response because apparently they gave me a lot of antibiotics during surgery. Not working this week because the doctor told me not to. Look at me being good and listening. I think today I am going to play video games and watch Netflix because how many times in my life am I actually going to be able to say that it's doctors orders. 

I think that is everything. Oh, I guess I should share the thing I am doing for myself. As some of you may or may not know, there isn't a lot I love more in the world than Disney. I haven't been able to go to Disney World without a wheelchair since I was 13.  Obviously, pending on seeing how my pain levels are after I'm healed up from surgery, I am planning a 3 day trip for my mom and I to go to Disney. Just her and I...and no wheelchair. I'm hoping to be able to do it and get there before the Epcot Garden Festival is over but we will see. I have to make sure I don't push myself too hard too fast.

My fight isn't over just because this surgery is. If this is something people are interested in following along with I may see how I feel about turning this into a weekly or monthly series. Or it may be just occasional update when I feel there is something to update on.

Thank you again for all the kindness.

A Few Words About Health

I know I have been away from here for a while and I am very sorry about that. There has been some craziness in my life. Later this week a post will be going up talking about something that happened and the effect it has had on me but for now I need to have a bit of a serious chat with you guys.

As some of you will know, I have some health problems and have for many years. It isn't something I talk about much because it is hard for me but I think it is time. I am also planning on putting out a video on this subject this week. The reason I am talking about this now is because I am having surgery on Thursday. This isn't my first surgery. It will actually be my 3rd in the past 4 years. Each previous surgery has offered hope of relief and answers but has failed to have that outcome. I am feeling hopeful about this time. Measures that are being taken this surgery are more drastic, but it's time and for the best.

Some of what I am going to be talking about next will most likely overlap with my video, but seeing as different people read my blog than watch my videos I thought it was important to include. This is also something very hard in my life and very personal so it would be appreciated that if you feel the urge to say anything negative you take a second to understand that.

This story starts December of my freshman year of high school. It was December 29th to be exact. I guess you never forget the day that changes everything. I woke up with a pain in my lower left side. I had previously had some blood work come back off so we knew there was a chance of there being cysts on my ovaries. The pain wasn't too severe so my parents and I decided to schedule an appointment with my doctor for about a week later. By New Years Eve the pain was so severe that I was curled up in a ball on the floor crying. We knew at this point we couldn't wait for my doctor. We spent all New Years Day in the Emergency Room. They did see some cysts but didn't feel it was the cause of the pain. They didn't know what the cause of the pain was. They sent me home with no answers. School was starting from winter break on 1/3. Over the few days since I had been at the ER the pain got worse and was unbearable. It was the worst pain I had ever had and could even imagine. Looking back now the pain level that I live with every day at this point makes that pain seem like nothing. That Monday morning I was in too much pain to go to school and my mom and I went back to the ER. The cysts had grown an incredible amount and there were 4 times as many. They told me to schedule an appointment with an Endocrinologist.

It took 3 weeks to get an appointment. I was unable to go to school in the mean time. I didn't know at the time I never would end up being able to go back to school. It came time for my appointment. They didn't know what was wrong, I was sent to another doctor. This has happened a lot. I see a doctor, they run a lot of tests, they say sorry and that they don't have any answers for me then they send me to someone else. Repeat. Again....and again....and again. I've lost count of how many doctors I have seen but I do know it is well over 10.

I had to finish high school online. I lost all of my friends because I wasn't in school. I was lonely, in severe pain every day and no one knew why. Emotionally that is very draining.

I don't mean for this whole story to come off so sad. I'm not a sad person. I am thankful for everything I have had in life, it is just that I've been through a lot.

In effort to save time and also because recalling so much of this in detail is quite upsetting to me I am going to skip forward.

It is 4 and a half years later. We still don't know what is causing all of the pain. I made it through high school on my own. I'm still fighting for my dreams. I'm always fighting to not let this overtake my entire life. I do live every day in pain. I do have limitations as much as I hate more than anything that I have to say that. I try to stay strong, I'm lucky to have a fantastic family around me to keep me strong.

On Thursday I am having surgery. They are supposed to be taking out my left ovary. We don't know if this will fix the pain. I have never hoped harder for anything in my life than for the pain to get better when they take it out. During my preop testing they also found a fibroid tumor on my uterus. They will be removing that during surgery as well. Apparently this could be causing some pain.

The reason I am talking about this all now is because I know I am not the only one going through chronic pain and health problems. Going through things like this can feel really lonely and like no one understands. If I can show one person that they aren't alone and that there are people that understand, this is worth it. Please don't think I did this for any stupid attention or sympathy. That is not ever what I want.

I am also posting this to explain why there will not be blog posts, covers or videos for a little while. I will be on social media a lot during this time since I'll be stuck home in bed so you can always reach me there.

Please never forget to be thankful for your health. You take it for granted until you don't have it anymore.

I hope you are all having a great weekend. I am. I got new makeup brushes today. Keeping a positive attitude is important and you can find good in any day. If I didn't do that, I would have nothing.

Thank you or reading. If you don't mind keeping me in your thoughts or sending healing vibes Thursday it would mean the world to me. Thanks.

Always keep smiling. Don't let anything take away your happiness.

Current Favorite Songs

If you know anything about me you know that I love music. I have been listening to a ton recently and I thought I would share some of my favorites with you! My music taste can be kind of varied but I figure this will give you plenty of options of things to listen to.

10. Break Your Heart Right Back- Ariana Grande

9. All About It - Hoodie Allen feat. Ed Sheeran 

8. Slow Dancing in a Burning Room - John Mayer

7. Clean - Taylor Swift

6.  Lips are Movin' - Meghan Trainor

5. The Kids Aren't Alright - Fall Out Boy

4. Teenage Dirtbag - Patty Walters Cover

3. I Know Places - Taylor Swift

2. Misguided Ghosts - Paramore

1. Touch - Troye Sivan

Staying Motivated (Motivational Monday #2)

Today I want to talk about something that is both really hard and very easy for me. I am the kind of person that gets motivated incredibly easily. I start things and a lot of time I follow through with them if they are something that I really care about. The issue is that looking about a month in, I haven't followed through the way I want to. That's what I'm trying to work on this year.

There will always be reasons that you will find to not follow through. Work, health, schedule, and many others. I am guilty of this. I think the key is to acknowledge that these are all very real reasons to not get something done, however, if you want whatever the goal is, you have to push past them. I was once told "It works if you work it," and that is something I have lived by. I try to put my heart and soul into my projects.

I have a habit of taking on too many things at once, like right now, but I am learning how to balance and still follow through.

I have been on YouTube for 6 years and this week I hit 1,000 subscribers. There were times I wanted to give up. It always felt like people didn't care. I always would think that people weren't watching me because there are others that were better, prettier, funnier and more talented than I am. I have since realized that it doesn't matter what others are doing, it matters what I am doing. That, however, is another topic for another day.

My point is that is I hadn't kept motivated with my YouTube and hadn't stuck it out, I never would have gotten to 1,000 which means the world to me.

I challenge anyone reading this to write a list of about 5 things that you want to accomplish. Take that list and put it somewhere you will see it every day. You will be amazed at what seeing them written out every day does for your drive to achieve. If you set your mind to it, you can achieve anything. Everyone that you look up to doing what you want to do once started with just a dream.

New Year, New Schedule

Happy New Year! I hope you all had a wonderful time ringing in the New Year! I am a person that likes to plan and that likes having start dates for my plans. For the last few months I have been working incredibly hard on things for this blog and the rest of my platforms and I am finally ready to unveil them as well as some new projects! Are you ready? We are going to go site by site.

LoveFromKelsey.com

This is the new home of this blog. I finally took the leap and bought my domain name! I will be uploading 5 days a week on this blog. Every Monday through Friday you will have a post from me. Each day will also have a designated topic and I am going to share that schedule below.

Monday is going to be motivational post and things a little more personal. I think it will be good for both you and I to start our weeks with these posts.
Tuesdays are going to be my "free day." This is where any posts that do not fit into my other topics will go such as posts about music, DIY or other similar things.
Wednesday will be the day I do reviews. It can be a review of anything, but each Wednesday will be a new review.
Thursdays will be either a look or some sort of tutorial. It may be a full makeup and hair look or it may be a tutorial on how I do my red lipstick or anything in between.
Fridays are a day I am very excited about because I am doing something I have wanted to do for a very long time. I am finally adding fashion to my blog. Anything from an OOTD or how to style a certain item could be on Fridays and I am extremely excited.

YouTube.com/lovefromkelsey

I am so excited about the future of this channel. I have experienced such amazing growth and feedback on this channel in the last few months and I am looking forward to getting back into producing the highest quality content as I possibly can. I am also so happy to announce that I will be uploading every day on this channel and everything uploaded there will be music.

Monday's cover will be whatever song is #1 on Billboard charts. If the song that is #1 has already been covered, the highest climbing song of the week that I haven't covered yet will be the choice!
Tuesday's will be a cover by a YouTube musician. So many of these people have inspired me in many ways and I look forward to being able to cover music by people who have helped shape my career so much.
Wednesday is a day that is really for me, but I hope others will enjoy. As some of you may know I like a lot of punk pop and other alternative music. I have never really covered much of these genres on my channel because I was worried people would not like it. I figure now that six of the other days are going to be more mainstream music, I can do some of the music that I love so dearly.
Thursday will be throwback Thursdays. It can be anything such as a throwback to something like the Beatles or something that is a throwback for me, like Aly & AJ.
Fridays are going to be request Fridays. In the past I have gotten so many requests that I haven't done because they are a little out of my comfort zone or maybe not as popular songs. When I was posting weekly, I didn't feel like I could give my weekly upload to those. Now I can try and cover all requests that I get and that makes me very happy.
Saturday is my free day. I can cover anything at all that I want on Saturdays which should be fun.
Sunday is a day I am very excited about. This is something that actually changed in my plan about a week ago. I had planned on having both Saturday and Sunday as free days. While I still do in some respects, there is one thing that will be different. Sunday is going to be ukulele covers! I just got one for Christmas and have been working hard and enjoying it a lot and can not wait to bring it to my channel.

YouTube.com/kelstalks

In this year I am excited about really starting to use this channel. Since my main channel will be completely focused on music, this is where everything else will be. There will be uploads 3 days a week.

Tuesday will be any fashion or beauty related videos. I have always had a passion for this kind of content and can not wait to start posting it regularly.
Thursday will be videos on a topic or event or something of the sort. This day is a sort of catch all for videos that are not beauty related or daily vlogs.
Saturdays I am starting something new that I am looking forward to. I have always wanted to daily vlog but to put it simply, I am not exciting enough to have enough good content for daily vlogs, so I am going to be doing weekly vlogs! These will have the previous Saturday to Friday in them and I am looking forward to having something to look back on and recap at the end of the year.

Now I am so excited to introduce two new projects that I am going to be working on. One is a YouTube channel and one is a blog.

MousekeTours.blogspot.com

Some of you may know that my true love in life is Disney. I have been blessed enough this year to have an annual pass and I only live 2 hours from Disney World. I have always loved Disney blogs and videos and I am so excited to be joining the world of Disney bloggers! I am starting with 2 posts a week on this blog.

Wednesday I am going to be posting about a specific ride, restaurant or event.
Friday I am going to be doing Top 5 lists such as "Top 5 Quick Service Dining Choices at Magic Kingdom."

KelsHealth YouTube

Due to changes with YouTube and their policy with custom urls, I do not yet have one for this channel so for now it is long and crazy and you will have to follow the link. This channel is something very personal to me. Many may not know and many might, but I have had some severe health problems over the years. I don't really want to get into that much because it is very personal to me and very upsetting. I am at a stand still with what doctors can do. I did a lot of my own research and found some dietary and similar things that I can do that some have had success with. I also plan on using this channel to work for and document weight loss since I am on thyroid medicine now and it should be easier. I am using this as a tool to myself to keep me accountable and also to try and find people going through similar things and build a community. I am going to be posting every day. Things on this channel will not be as formal and schedules may change but this is how it stands for the moment. Some days the videos may be just tiny short updates and some days they may be pre-planned well made videos. This channel is a health journal for myself and anyone else that wants to follow along and I am thrilled to be starting this.

Monday- Update
Tuesday- Workout Related
Wednesday- Walk Talk, I vlog while on my walk and talk about things relating to health
Thursday- Recipe
Friday- Swap Out, something small we can change to make a difference
Saturday- Free Day, whatever I feel like uploading
Sunday- Weekly Wrap Up.

I hope you all are as excited as I am about the new things coming. I know that this is a lot and I don't expect everyone to have interest in everything I am doing but I hope you will at least check out some of it. I will see you tomorrow with a fashion post. I hope you are having a wonderful New Years!

Disney Dining: Raglan Road Irish Pub

As some of you may know a few weeks ago I took an amazing trip to Disney World with some family. On my last day there we went to Downtown Disney for the day. We had an amazing lunch at Raglan Road, an Irish Pub.

It was their Sunday brunch so there was a band and Irish dancers which added to the meal nicely. Two of my little cousins even got to go up and dance on the stage.

I had the Salmon Swoon. Choice Irish smoked salmon served with capers, shallots & crème fraiche. It was fantastic. I also got it with a side of "chips" which are fries. What I got was an appetizer but was more than enough for my lunch.

If you are less of a fish fan and more a fan of traditional lunch foods there are perfect options as well. Two of the people I was with split the Luscious Tart (Grilled asparagus and mushrooms, mixed greens, grape tomatoes & shaved parmesan on a warm caramelized red onion puff pastry tart with shrimp) and the Lobster Club (Lobster & avocado salad, crispy prosciutto, watercress & citrus herb mayonnaise). I have an allergy to shellfish so unfortunately I wasn't able to try either of these but the consensus from the table was that they were amazing. It is half of each portion in the picture below. Each is very large. 

One of my three year old cousins got the Heaven on Earth (Baby back ribs tossed in a Guinness glaze). It is an appetizer but was a perfect size. I was able to try one and they live up to their name! Sadly I don't have a picture of these, they were so good that they didn't last that long!

My uncle got the Banger & Booz (Guinness & onion banger on mash, topped with caramelized onions & beef stew). It is a sort of modern twist on a more traditional Bangers and Mash.

We ended our meal, on the recommendation of our waitress, with Ger’s Bread & Butter Pudding. We were told that we could all share it. We were a little skeptical seeing as there were 5 adults and 3 kids. Let me tell you, this is deceptively huge. It was also one of the best desserts that I have ever had, no lie. It came with a butterscotch sauce and vanilla creme anglaise. 

It was an amazing meal and we had a great time. I will certainly be going back the next time I am at Disney. Stay tuned for more Disney posts this week!