i went under the knife for vanity and all i have to show for it is erythema multiforme






 about 2 1/2 weeks ago i went in for a 100,000 mile "tune up"-- (translation, breast reduction and a little nip here and tuck there). my ginormous breastesses that had 3 letters in the the B-C-D region behind the 36 part were taking over my body, so i knew it was time. the surgery went well and i actually have had a fairly easy recovery, thanks to my wonderful man who has taken care of me and my friends and family who have taken care of my kids.

on the afternoon of the 3rd, i was busy making plans with kamari and megan and brooke to have a wonderful 4th of july --by 2:30 am on the morning of the 4th i was in the er with a really, REALLY bad rash, while some doctor who looked like he just graduated from high school told me that i needed blood. NOW. i tried to make a funny remark about the fact that i would have to refuse the blood transfusion because of my religious beliefs as a jehova's witness, but he thought i was serious at first, so i had to take it back. but i feel like i should get props for at least attempting the joke.

i don't know technical terms but the jist was that my hemoglobin level should have been at a 12 to 14 and i was at a 6. they admitted me, and started the blood. the thing that got me most emotional? when the nurse informed the other nurse that i was "npo"--when we asked what that meant, she said no food or drink. obviously that was TOO much. unfortunately my tears failed to impress anybody but it didn't really matter because nobody listened to me, so i was happy to take the morphine and drift off to sleep. my doctor came in around 8 am and said that i looked fine, could have food (praise BE) and that the rash was probably a symptom of some allergic reaction and my body trying to tell me GET. BLOOD. NOW. i finished the blood (4 bags) and we checked out about 5 pm on the 4th.


i wore my pj's up to my parent's cabin in pine valley, ate some dinner, fell asleep on their couch and then was home in bed by 10:00pm. semi- good times.




what was NOT good times was by 5:30 pm the next day i was back in the emergency room looking like this:

(note from author: don't go falling in love with that sweet little number of a nightie--it's been a life saver and it snaps.)

i wanted every inch of skin to be scratched completely off my body and start again. the e.r. was a nightmare and way too busy with lots of rednecks with unfortunate firework incidents,  and we settled in for the next six (ugggghh yes 6) hours.  i laid there in that little room waiting for a dermatologist to come in to consult. which is apparently harder than to get an act of congress passed.

the dermo came in and told me that i had erythema multiforme which is a disease that occurs as your body reacts to something it thinks is foreign. they gave me some heavy duty steroid course of pills which symptoms include water weight gain (yay!) and puffiness in the face (double yay!) but then  sent me home with a parting gift of one more dose of morphine for the pain.  (TRIPLE YAY!!)

i'm home and doing great and normally would not put something like this out for the entire world to see.  but i'm neck-deep in hysterical new blogger mode and this screamed blogging gold.  also i wanted to remember the way i looked in this housecoat.

68 comments:

Michael said...

Good Grief...You'll do anything for a sympathetic comment won't you?

Mindi said...

it took you this long to figure that out? i'm a better "playa" than even I gave myself credit for....

Super Happy Girl said...

Ow, yikes.
Only you would think of making the JW joke ;)
You are a serious blogger, you deserve an award. Please do tell, did you take the pictures for the blog?
I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours.

Super Happy Girl said...

34A

barely A
:P

Suzie said...

Oh honey.
Hope you're better.
I've been gone so this comment may be embarrasingly late.
But with all the love.


:)

LN said...

Good grief, grrl! Glad you're on the mend.

I've got tons of experience w/ being anemic. My hemoglobin hovered around 6.1 for years (normal 12-16), with a hematocrit around 20 (normal 37-47)....if you remember, the first comment I left on here for you was one about a 7-lb bag of ice, ice-chewing and anemia. I was talking from personal experience.

If there's anything that talking to someone who's been there, done that, burned the t-shirt can do to help, let me know. I'd be happy to help.

Hang in there.

Jori said...

Yikes Mindi!! You have been through the wringer. I am so happy you are feeling better. Bless your heart(sorry it's what my grandma always said when i was sick, i found the phrase comforting.) I am glad your family took good care of you. I hope you at least scored some casserole and green jello from the ward.:)

Pedaling said...

so, we saw the down and dirty, the pain and the rash- now lets see the New Ladies!
(not bare boobed of course; in a low cut swim suit will work fine)

Hildie said...

Why didn't you tell us earlier that you were having surgery. Good for you. I'm saving my pennies for full-body lipo and butt implants.
Hope you're feeling super great and perky soon!

Hannah said...

Oh my goodness!! I hope you feel better soon!

rachel said...

Wow, I am sorry you had to go through all that negative while trying to do something positive for yourself. So Glad you are better now...what would we do without our Mindi :)

Ashlynn {mamabear} said...

Sheesh ... glad you are doing better!!! Glad you opted for surgery even though it brought complications, sometimes we all need some "elective" right? Well not really, but I am a fan.

hoLLy said...

oh my gosh-so sorry to hear about all that! how awful! glad to hear they figured out what was wrong and that you are doing better now. i hate the er!

p.s. thanks for the shoutout. i was excited that my blog was actually mentioned on yours since you are so popular and all:)

CoLiE-O said...

wow! i am glad to hear you are doing ok. that is so scarey. btw- its "npo". just in case you wanted to know ;) those nurses talk so fast, you can never understand what they are saying!:)

Jennie Minor said...

So sorry that that happened to you. glad that you are out of hospital and doing good now.

Krista said...

first of all i want to apologize for my mom, pedaling's, comment. What?! apparently she likes cleavage more than I knew...but I'm glad you're feeling better and like a new perky woman.

Mindi said...

nicole--thanks for that! fixed, baby. i only know things like "stat" and "cbc" from er....

Denise said...

I am glad you are feeling better. THat doesn't sound fun.

Cole said...

Okay sucks to be you this weekend but my big question: Can I have what they took out? I could really use it!

Anonymous said...

I'll be dipped in a can of crap!! Who'd of thunk that little ol you was off having some "fun" surgery when we all thought you were slaving behind a monitor and keyboard? You hide it so well!!!

Its so sad we have to pay good money to have things added in or out of our bodies! Someday we'll talk about surgeries!!!

Get well and you are so darling!

Pedaling said...

krista is my girl
i'm her ma
there you have it

Tiffany said...

Holy rash, batman! You have all the sympathy from my sympathy reserve and my extra sympathy reserve. I hope you continue to feel better!

P.S. I'm so glad they did not accidentally remove your humor while they were in there!

Lesley said...

Holy crap girl! That's crazy! Hope all is well now. Why is it that the girls with big boobs want smaller and the girls with unfortunate "34 longs" like me want bigger? We will never be happy will we?

gina bina said...

Ouch. That looks like zero fun. You're a trooper! I hope your recovery goes smooth from here on out...

Kristina P. said...

I found your blog from your comment on Seriously, So Blessed, and I completely agree with you! I cried for at least an hour that it was funnier than mine, but I took solace in knowing that the blog is anonymous, so that I can't hate an actual person. It helps me get through the day.

Your blog IS very funny and I look forward to reading it. Oh, and congrats on the new boobs.

tiburon said...

Aww it looks way worse that you described. I will forever cherish our hour long phone conversation that you can't remember. It was pure Mindi goodness and now I have some secrets too ;)

Holly H. said...

Oh my holy crap! That is CRAZY! I'm glad you're ok now, but that is really scary!

Oh and that nightgown honey.... you should see the underwear Mike bought for me when I was at the hospital having Hayden. Can you say G-R-A-N-D-M-A?

kami @ nobiggie.net said...

That looks so painful. I am glad you are doing better. What would we do without the Mind.

Anonymous said...

Mindi, what a nightmare! I am so glad that you are feeling back to normal again and everything is ok. That rash looked brutal.

On the upside....it sounds like you have an amazing husband and your kids look absolutely precious!

I am sad that you didn't give us the heads up so I could have arranged to have what you were willing to part with!! ;)

Just think, now you get to go shopping!

Have a great weekend!

Anonymous said...

Hey, glad you made it through the Yuckiest sounding exp. I hope that you are really feeling better now. Long haul eh? Nice that I only live seconds away & was not aware. What the haties is that all about. I will be by (adaylate&adollarshort) with some chicken soup or something like that soon! Oooh maybe PB M & M's? Good luck being on the mend.

simply kris said...

thinking of you fondly in your super sweet nightie! Hot hot hot! Looks like something I would enjoy wearing while standing over an air vent! blessings to you, my friend from the threads of the world wide web!

Devri said...

what the- I have always wanted to get the brazilian butt, but now with all the side affects, hmmm- I will have to pray hard to make me want to go in there, can do birth naturaly, but that- I don't think so, glad to see you are on the mend.

Omgirl said...

wWuld the "something foreign" your body was reacting to happen to be Brazilian butt implants you had put in??

Unknown said...

I think I will keep my flabs and rolls and boobs...thank you very much.

Mia said...

Oh man when you said that the pictures were bad I had no idea. I am really sorry that you had to go through this. I hope that you are feeling better. Yeah for a sweet hubby, great friends, and a wonderful family.

Rachel said...

Mindi...I had no idea! I feel so bad for you. No fun. The ER is a horrible place to be stuck at. I am glad to hear you are home and doing better but you know I am half tempted to sneak into your house when you are not home and get that nightgown! Also, I forgot to thank you for the tip on the Nick and Nora jammies at Target. They had some on clearance when I went a few weeks ago and I got some for Maddie...she won't take them off! Get well!

Josh, Lindsie, and Ava said...

Wow, that is crazy! Glad you made it out okay, I don't know what life would be like without your awesome blog in my life.

If it makes you feel any better, I too have made a joke that the doctor didn't grasp onto. When he was delivering my placenta, I told him I would like it wrapped up so I could take it home and make soup (people do that) and he didn't think it was very funny, I on the other hand, thought I was way way dang funny.

Rest and recover as quickly as you can. We need you at your best.

heidi said...

so, where to begin? yikes. and then more yikes and then TGFD.(thanks goodness for drugs, that acronym is really catching on)
glad to have you back.
ps-you should do before and after boobs shots. i would like to do the same some day, but with no reduction...and no rash...but hopefully a deranged youth will be part of the package.

Becky, yep said...

I just want to hug you...wait I get to in like 2 weeks! wa-hoooooo

Steph said...

Holy smokes! That is CRAZINESS! I am so glad they figured out what was wrong and fixed it, finally! So, I guess I won't ever have to worry about such a nightmare happening here. I'm floatin' around on the 32 negative-double A side of the scale, barely need a training bra. Will have to talk to the man upstairs about why it is so dang uneven when it comes to the breastiees!

Judi said...

So glad that you are feeling better now, too bad you had to go throught all that though. Glad you're back. You make me laugh alot :0)

kourtney said...

Thank goodness for breast reductions, I was worried you were going to knock yourself out when you ran down the beach. Seriously though, glad you are feeling better. Hope your body doesn't reject too much...scary.

Trina said...

Aw, sweetie! Your weekend sounds so much worse than mine ever was! I'm so glad to hear you are on the mend.

Nate P said...

I thought I sensed something wrong in the air. We must, we must, we must, we must increase our bust!

elasticwaistbandlady said...

If you ever change your mind and seriously regret what you've done.....I will be more than happy to donate my personal breat tissue to you.

I've been sunning them this summer....well, just the tops that pop up out of stupid Wal-Mart bathing suit with the dancing hibiscus on it(just like grandma used to wear)... they'd be a near perfect match for you!

Kristi said...

Oh my freakin Lanta, Mindi! I am so, so glad you are doing well now. You poor thing. Hallelujah for drugs and medicine to help you!!! You are such a trooper, I have to tell you. And tough. And brave. Now take care of yourself :)

Anonymous said...

Mindi-
"Fourth of July"
"Let us go forth"

The "u" is critical. Also, your spelling and punctuation could use some work. Love -Ryan

Tori :) said...

So, are your boobs ok?

And do you really know people in Las Vegas of Italian descent that could help me with my little "problem"? or was it the drugs talking?

Mindi said...

oh. my. gosh.

i can't believe i spelled "fourth" as "forth"--and got straight up schooled.

my bad.

thanks ryan for showing me so smart.

Anonymous said...

I feel bad for your girls who think that to be happy in life they have to have the perfect body. Such a crappy world we live in!

Mindi said...

hmmmmmmmm...

"bitter, party of one?"

anonymous, thank you for your kind words of concern and helpful suggestions. i will take them under advisement and ponder them carefully in my heart.

just be careful--throwing rocks at people when you live in a glass house can be VERY HAZARDOUS to your health!

have a great night:)

Mindi said...

in goshen, indiana......

i hear it's nice there.

Collette said...

hope you are feeling better, I was sick on the 4th too, not quite as bad as you but no fun at all. sure made me grateful that I am healthy most of the time!!

Michael said...

I too think it is sad that you thought you needed a reduction to be happy. Can they even be considered fun bags anymore, or just happy sacks?
BTW - Looking at your rash made me break out in hives. At least I think thats why I've been scratching my head. It could just be that I can't figure out why in the hizzle you would put those pictures on a public site.

Ida said...

oh Luvva I barely saw this comment today I was working of course. MY my that is some rash oh scary I am so happy you didn't pass out from being so anemic. I am so glad you got in quickly and got some blood. That is funny you tried to trick the Dr. I would of busted up laughing at Doogie Howser.

I hope you are feeling better. Tell those HATERS who think the mommy make over is a bad thing. Tell them to hate on, I bet you look mavelous! Well once the swelling and rash goes away. :p

I should email you my home number you can call anytime. I can be your nurse on call. :)

Melissa said...

Man, what we'll do for a little attention and the occasional morphine drip...glad you're feeling better!

Aimee said...

Holy shiznit!! So glad you're on the mend... that's some scary stuff you went through! Great way to handle the troll, BTW... so ridiculous that they always have to hide behind the "Anonymous" moniker.

Renee said...

I'm so sorry. Those hives look horrendously itchy.

tammy said...

Holy cow! And I was all prepared to be jealous of your nip and tuck session. I hope things are perking up now...

Me and The Boys said...

Daaaanng! That's awful! Some day I hope to be in your same position... but only if it's because i get a nip and tuck first!haha

Jod Jas Curtis said...

What in the WORLD Girl?!?!?! I am totally feelin' for you right now. I had no idea, what a nightmare. I hope you are on your feet soon & your leprousy (sp?) goes away soon. Keep your head up & feet for that matter. I'll be thinkin' of you. Maybe I'll swing by a treat for you tomorrow. I am getting good at making lots of treats lately :) Pregnancy is not a good thing for me.
luvs
Jodi

Emily said...

How did I miss this post?! Man!!

Hope you're feeling 100% now and ready to show off the new ladies! Congrats on the improvements - I'm jealous! (not really about the ER part though)

Christie said...

How did I miss this post too? I'm so sorry you had such a crappy 4th. Maybe you can make up for it on the 24th? And thanks for being brave enough to post about your tune-up. I'm in serious need of a "major overhaul" and knowing you've BTDT makes me feel so much better.

{Annie N.} said...

Poor thing! It's too bad you couldn't give me some of the boobs they took out of you. I could really use some.

Tiffany said...

OMG! I feel a little guilty for bragging about my wonderful holiday! Hope you are feeling better!

Anonymous said...

Mindi,
I don't know you, but love your blog. K were you having implants removed or just blessed with alot more than you wanted. Hope you feel better soon, and maybe you can enjoy the 24th with fireworks, hamburgers, and good friends!

Anonymous said...

Mindi,
I don't know you, but love your blog. K were you having implants removed or just blessed with alot more than you wanted. Hope you feel better soon, and maybe you can enjoy the 24th with fireworks, hamburgers, and good friends!

Anonymous said...

Mindi,
I don't know you, but love your blog. K were you having implants removed or just blessed with alot more than you wanted. Hope you feel better soon, and maybe you can enjoy the 24th with fireworks, hamburgers, and good friends!