Happy Volvulus Day!

Happy Volvulus Day everybody! No, really. It’s a thing now.  Wednesday was the 4 year anniversary of Josh blatantly disobeying my semi-lucid demands by forcibly hauling my rear end to the hospital. I almost died and required emergency bowel surgery, where they found a cantaloupe-sized mass of twisted/blocked intestines and removed almost 10” of my bowel. I have pictures, but Josh won’t let me post them here. Apparently, my bloody mangled innards are “not your most attractive feature.”

You can see the 6″ incision on my belly. Guess how awesome I look in a bikini…

I am extremely thankful to God for the four extra years of bad days, good days, laughter, tears, arguments, laundry loads, miles walked, sun rays felt, ice cream eaten, vacations taken, book pages read, prayers prayed, and even those nasty spiders shrieked at… maybe. 

Do not ignore the symptoms of a volvulus, peeps. On the two year anniversary of mine, the wife of my husband’s co-worker died from one. This is serious stuff.

Pay attention to what your body is telling you. Symptoms can vary slightly, but can include… 

• Extreme Abdominal Pain
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Abdomen Swelling (mine occurred at various times for months beforehand)
• Constipation

I would be delighted to talk further to anyone that is curious about warning signs (some that are far in advance of disasters, others that are day-of), recovery, seeing pictures of the surgery itself, and how to plan the perfect Volvulus Day Party. It is essential. How are there not more Pinterest boards devoted to this?!?

Right after surgery.

Blowing in my spirometer (painful, but wards off pneumonia) while Josh and Bree actually get to look nice for the photo.

I think I can totally work the whole hospital gown look, right? The four various tubes coming out of me are just the icing on the cake.

Bree discovering I actually do have a heart, despite my refusal to let her get a cat.

Hubby and daughter invading my space.