On this date...June 27th

Happy Birthday Scott! Last year, our excuse for going to Vegas was his 40th birthday. We thought that would be a great way to celebrate. Danny and Becky, our best friends, went with us. We drove to the airport on his birthday, June 27th. Before we got there, we stopped to eat lunch. I was feeling a little bloated but I ate anyway. I had been so busy packing for the trip that I hadn't given much thought to my "clogged pipes". After we got to Vegas, we ate at a buffet. By that night I felt even more bloated and somewhat annoyed that things weren't moving along. But I certainly wasn't worried. I had never had a problem like this before so I didn't give it much thought. Besides, we were in Vegas and there was no time to think about anything but all that fun we were going to have. The next day, still nothing. I was really annoyed but still eating like crazy b/c I couldn't pass up all that food. By Friday I was starting to feel sick from eating all that food. I kept thinking about all that shrimp I had eaten on Monday, along with all that food I had eaten since then. It made me sick to think about it. I was confused too; I couldn't figure out what was wrong. I wondered if the antiobiotic had caused it. I know that's not a typical side effect but I had never taken Levaquin before so that was the only thing I could think of. By Saturday, I was miserable. My clothes were getting tight, I felt sick and I was starting to get worried about what I was going to do. I kept praying to God that I would feel better and I was angry that God wasn't listening. I was thinking It's such a small thing to ask for! Of course, now I know why he didn't answer my prayer but at the time I found myself begging for relief. I can remember images in my head of my colon just exploding; I didn't know if that was possible but I was so full of anxiety I was losing my rationale. Scott later said he knew something was wrong but he thought I was mad at him or just not having fun. I didn't tell him b/c I was so embarrassed to be having this problem. Saturday night we went out for the biggest meal of the trip. Danny had picked out a very fancy restaurant inside the casino. I was trying so hard to hide my misery but I did reach my breaking point. I nearly threw up after a few bites of my $40 entree so I excused myself to go sit at some nearby tables in the casino. I noticed a sundry shop nearby so I snuck in there and bought some medicine, totally humiliated by my lone purchase. I took it before bed. I was surprised the next morning that, even though it worked, it didn't work well. By this time, I would have gladly accepted a scene from Ace Ventura Pet Detective, when Jim Carrey comes out of the bathroom and hollers "Do NOT go in there!!!" We flew home Sunday afternoon, spent the night in St. Louis and drove home Monday morning. I wanted to go home so bad. I was so angry at myself for having such a ridiculous problem on our trip. Even today, when I look at the pictures, all I can think is how miserable I was. Scott doesn't like looking at the Vegas pictures either b/c that was the last "hurrah" before our lives changed forever. We find no pleasure in them. Don't get me wrong- Vegas was fun, I did enjoy it but it just brings back painful memories.
Next episode July 2nd- Back to Dr. Bieser for a recheck