A week before, my awesome friend Kim planned a surprise birthday party for me at a restaruant at the Tempe Marketplace. I had no idea - I almost didn't go - it had been a long week. Shawn was just getting over the flu and ended up with this weird neck infection, I hadn't been sleeping well, etc...but I'm glad I went! I don't have any photos on the computer for that night, but just know it was awesome. I am so blessed and so thankful to be loved!
Then, the Friday night of my birthday weekend, a few friends went to go see Ree Boado and JJ Heller in Scottsdale. They are both amazing artists, and it was a fantastic show!
On Saturday, Shawn spoiled me by taking me (and the kids) to breakfast and then to the mall where we shopped. For me. For 2 hours! This never happens. I got some new makeup and new jeans. Sweet!
Then we had the most amazing dinner...we got all dressed up for a fabulous 9 course meal at Quiessence, at the Farm at South Mountain. We reserved the 'Brick Oven Table' to celebrate, which is a special table set outside by a beautiful fireplace. If you were in Phoenix on Saturday, then you know that sitting outside didn't happen. Between the wind, rain, and cold, there was no way I was sitting outside in my dress:
Something weird happened in the middle of the night - I woke up with terrible stomach pain. I thought it was gas pains, since the meal we had was really rich - we don't normally eat that way, plus I ate a lot of meat, which I also don't normally eat. After eating a lot of tums and about 45 minutes, it went away.
The next day, my actual birthday, after eating a cheese sandwich for lunch, I started feeling the same pain. Thinking it was the same problem, I started eating tums like candy. Shawn took Jeremiah grocery shopping and came home to find me in pain. He brought some lovely things home, too.
By 630pm and a lot of Tums (and even infant Mylicon) later, I was in more pain. Shawn convinced me to go to urgent care, even though I was sure they'd just tell me it was gas pains and send me home. On the way there, though, something told me to go to the ER, just in case I needed an ultrasound. Thankfully I only waited an hour before they gave me a private room, so I could walk around and cry. (Yes, I was actually crying. It was incredibly painful) After an ultrasound, an IV with nausea and pain medicine, and bloodwork the results were: gallstones. And the only definite treatment is surgery.
Thankfully, the pain medicine had kicked in and I was feeling alright. The attack had lasted 8 hours. For the time being, I'm just carefully watching what I eat and avoiding fatty foods. I already do this, but I do love cheese and since I don't eat a lot of meat, often eat cheese for protein. That had to stop.
So, in the end, turning 30 was terribly painful for me.
