Monday, July 14, 2008

The last three weeks . . .

This is Byron. This past three weeks has probably been the most "educational weeks" I have had in a LONG, LONG time. To give a little background, shortly after Kim and I got married, Kim noticed that I stopped breathing during the night sometimes. Well, to make a long story short, I was diagnosed with sleep apnea. We tried what the doctor recommended initially, which was to sleep with a machine that would force me to breathe during the night. This machine is called a CPAP machine (aka: human sleeping snorkel mask). Needless to say, neither Kim nor I were too happy with this.











So after a few months of dealing with this, we decided to take the doctor's next recommendation. . . surgery. This happened three weeks ago today. I had NO idea what this really entailed. At first, I thought it would be a good thing. I somehow made myself believe it would be like a vacation, a nice break from work. Sure, I thought there would be some pain at first. But I thought after a week, it would not be too bad and I would be healing. Not quite. The doctor performed a number of procedures (seven in total, including removing my tonsils, a couple of nose surgeries and shortening my palate and tongue muscle). Well, to say the least, it was a VERY hard experience.




My first hospital stay was not that fun. There was a lot of pain and poor Kim and my mom had to wait in the waiting from for about 9 hours. The hospital did not tell them when I was out of my surgery and in my room. Luckily, I was only in the hospital for two days and came home. However, I was on some major pain medication for two weeks. So that was fun. Unfortunately, right at the time that I started healing from my surgery, I got an infection on my foot (which they think was from the hospital). They gave me some pretty strong antibiotics, which I found out later I was allergic to. So after a trip to the emergency room and 5 visits to the doctors within one week, I am on the road to recovery again. Basically, this past three weeks stunk.

However, there are a few good things that happened as a result of the past few weeks. First, I think it helped me become more compassionate. Before when people told me that they were sick or had surgery, I thought "That stinks. . . What are we doing tomorrow?". I didn't really care. Now I do. I am afraid I may have become too emotional.

Second, I got to spend a lot of time with Kim and although I was sick, we did do some fun things. For example, Kim decided to make our new son his first two new baby blankets.



Next, we also went to the Second Annual Santa Monica 4th of July Parade. I love hippie parades. There were so many electric cars in the parade. Our favorites were all of the electric cars, the dancing elders from the local synagogue and the hippie band.



Lastly, I also felt our son kick for the first time. That may have been the highlight. Overall, the three weeks were awful and I am glad they are done, but I did learn some things. So I guess they weren't a loss overall. Especially when I have a wife and a future son like this.



12 comments:

Kami said...

First of all, hooray for a blog update! Byron, I am so sorry for your miserable 3 weeks. I just got off the phone with Kim who gave me all the details of your complications. Surgery is just miserable, especially in your throat as I well know. I'm so glad you're finally doing better!!! Your wife is so adorable pregnant, at least you're lucky with that!!! Continue to feel better!

The Bentley's said...

that is soooo sad:( I'm so sorry byron.... but you probably lost some serious weight??? only a girl would get excited about that but still??? Glad your on the road to recovery love that you got to feel little baby williams kick!!! how exciting!!! kim.... way to go on your mothering skills love the quilts and you are soooooo cute prego!! you look adorable! oh, and love the masks they are too funny! thanks for the update! love yoU!

Renee said...

Ahhhh...barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen, just as I always imagined her :)

Byron, I'm so sorry about your ordeal and I'm glad you're on the mend!! Thank goodness for no more CPAP machines, eh?? It's a wonder Kim ever got pregnant :)

Maxine Parrish said...

Yikes! Sounds like a pretty lame 3 weeks. Then again, when you have a wife and soon-to-be son package that are so smokin', I guess it makes it all worthwhile. I hope you get better soon!

Brooke said...

ha i love byron. he writes exactly like he talks-like i'm actually talking to him. not like the williams ever bother calling their incarcerated sister.

Carmen said...

Sorry Byron...really! BUT, thanks so much for finally posting a picture of your prego wife! Kimmie, you look adorable, I cannot wait to see you next month.

Jennica said...

Sorry to hear about your crappy three weeks. Did the surgery work? Like you can breathe at night now???!?

Kimberly is the cutest prego, ever!

Thanks for the post and update!

Jennica said...

And PS I can't even belive that you didn't recognize ME your BF in Rachel's picture?! Sheesh. I thought we were better friends than that, Kim! :)

Jodie said...

Hmm, did you stop breathing when you spent the night in our old apt when you couldn't see? Glad to hear that's taken care of. I hope you feel better soon!

Matt "Hacksaw" said...

Good to see you guys this past week. By the way, I like the old non-compassionate, non-emotional Byron better.
-Hacksaw

D-dawg said...

This was a great post. First of all congrats on baby boy! I'm so excited for you. Second of all Byron you are so funny. I'm glad you're ok after the surgery. I had similar thoughts in the past about surgery- thinking it was no big deal! But now I know! Thanks for sharing. Love that last picture of you Kim!

Karina & John Calderwood said...

oh my goodness...BYRON AND KIM!!!! I saw your blog on Becca's site and I am SO excited that you are having a baby!!! Did you two ever decide on a name? I saw that you have some great suggestions! Congrats!