Burgers and Girl Talk

Ate at Copper Cellar this evening to catch up with my beautiful friend, Brittany! 

Hiking Pics

First day of Spring hike-Spruce Flats Falls

Post Op Day 61

Feeling more motivated and trying to stay busy...keepin that eye on the big prize and reminding myself how incredibly lucky I am in all aspects of my life.

Post Op Day 58

Tryin to bust outta this funk...I'm tired, sad and pretty much sore all over...next week has got to be better, right?!?  Let's hope so...

Post Op Day 51

Ready to nip this rash/allergic reaction in the bud!!!  

Movie Night

Movie night with this lil stud! Popcorn? check. Comfy pants? Check. Snugglin with Bear? Double check! Hoping the Hunger Games part 2 is as good as the first one! 

Warning...this is not for people with weak stomachs...

Remember how I said I'm a nurse...well yeah and a lot of my friends are in the medical field as well...plus, this picture may help someone else recognize a skin reaction at some point if/when they have an ostomy. It still takes a lot for me to post this pic. Just because it's such a personal part of who I am right now. But here it is...I said there would be the good, the bad, and the ugly when it comes to my blog. So if it bothers you, don't look. For those of you that are curious, well notice how the skin is red, blotchy, irritated, not to mention itchy around where the barrier adhesive hits my skin in a diamond shape. The rash isn't noted around the circle right around the stoma because that's where the barrier ring is placed against my skin. Oh and for all my nursing peeps, note how pink and fleshy the stoma site is, just like it should be :) all is well, except for that darn rash! 

Post Op Day 48

Wow, I can't believe 7 whole weeks have gone by since my first surgery...it seems like I've had this ol bag for a lot longer than that at this point, which I guess just means that I've gotten used to it.  Changing the bag every 3-5 days is just kind of a hassle and takes time out of my daily routine that I'm not so fond of.  It's good that I get to assess my skin and site that often but then again it just reminds me this big ordeal that's interrupted my so- called 'normal' life.  There's no way I'd want to deal with this bag for life, but 7 more months isn't so bad, I suppose...and thank the good Lord, I'm not throwing up anymore...always gotta look on the bright side right :)

And the Flowers have Blossomed!

Thanks again Emily and Steven Gray! They're gorgeous :)

Post Op Day 46

Soo...I'm still itchy and sad that I missed out on my niece's 1st Bday party today.  Some days its so very hard to be here in TN when all my family is back in the Midwest.  But Happy Birthday Ms Tymber!! Aunt Tanna loves and misses you very very much!!

Post Op Day 45

Soo I love my job and returning to work, but to be honest, this week has been a little rough.  And not just physically rough but mentally as well.  And omgee, I cannot stop itching...this is going to drive me insane!!!  If it's not the steroids then I have no clue what's going on...but seriously, it needs to go away.  And it needs to go away now!

Post Op Day 42; Back to the Grind

So even on a good day, little 2 lb or 5 lb babies can kick your butt up and down the unit.  Needless to say, I felt like that about 3 hrs into my shift!  Hopefully with a little more time, I'll get back into my groove and can bust through a 12 hr shift like it's nothing...we shall see!  But regardless, it was great being back at work.  When things weren't going well as a travel nurse and when I thought I wanted to give up/move back home, I'd call my mom and she'd tell me, 'Tanna, you can do anything for 12 hrs, and it's only 3 months."  Well now it's four months and I know my body will be able to handle more and more as I go...but I still tell myself that when I'm having a rough night...I can do anything for 12 hrs.  She's such a wise woman, that Momma Joyce is :)

Flowers!! Best Surprise Ever!!

I received a gorgeous bouquet yesterday from a super sweet couple, Steven and Emily Gray! It was a wonderful surprise and truly brightened my day!! 

Excited for Work!

This was right before I left for work last night...my first 12 hr shift post surgery! I couldn't wait to cuddle those sweet babes :) 

Post Op Day 40

Just doing a little bit here and there around the apt today so that I'm ready to start my work week tomorrow night!  To say I'm excited might be a bit of an understatement!  But it's easy to miss your job when you love what you do and the people that you work with.  I was so glad that Mom got to meet a lot of my co-workers and to see the world's tiniest humans...she was truly amazed by what we do on a daily basis.  And speaking of Momma J, she made it home safely Saturday night.  She's happy to be back on the farm but we miss each other already. 

I have THE best friends!

Thank you so much Amy Marcotte for my fun care package! The bag you made is awesome and I can't wait to use it!! And I'll be doin my nails here shortly so I can try out the polish!! I miss you like crazy girl but can't thank you enough for the gifts and the a sweet card you sent with it!! Love ya girl! 

Post Op Day 38