March 23, 2015 ~ ER visit

Lucas and I had both had allergies very bad for more then a week. I wasn't sure if it was a cold or allergies because I usually don't get allergies and so I was taking a cold and allergy pill everyday. On Saturday and Sunday I was getting sicker so I laid low and tried to sleep at much as possible because I couldn't get sick and miss school because we were presenting a group project to the SNHD nurses on Friday March 27th. 

Sunday night I took my cold/allergy pill and I also took an herbal pill before going to bed. I woke up at 2am in sweats and my heart racing. Not only did I have a presentation on March 27th but I had an exam the next day, March 28th. So since I was awake and laying in bed for an hour because I couldn't fall back asleep because of my racing heart I went downstairs to study because I thought minus well make this time productive since I can't sleep. As I was studying my heart kept racing and come to find out the herbal pill I took had caffeine in it, so I knew I was going to continue to be wide awake. As I was studying though I started to feel really sick. I was getting worse but continued to study. After a while I couldn't take it so I went to the bathroom to try and throw-up, and I couldn't so I thought I would try and make myself because I knew I would feel better. After throwing up I didn't feel any better. After studying for more then 3 hours I decided to go back to bed since Lucas would be waking up for work soon. After he woke up I told him what was going on and he said I was crazy for studying for the last 3 hours and that I should have looked on the bottle before taking any herbal thing. I told him it was a stupid mistake and I told him that I would try and sleep and he went to work.

I started to have more stomach flu-like symptoms after he left for work and I went to the bathroom probably 4 times in about 2 hours. At about 10am my heart was still racing and I was laying on the couch downstairs feeling like I was going to die. Out of curiosity I took my apical pulse and it was 135. With finding this I decided to call my heart doctor, no one answered so I decided to call my dad. After telling my dad all of my symptoms and the whole story he said to try and call Dr. Bower again and he would also call him. Dad got ahold of Dr. Bower who said he was at Siena doing procedures and that I should go to the Siena ER where he could meet me. After hearing this I called mom to tell her I needed to got to the ER and to come get me. I then tried to get ahold of Lucas, who didn't answer his phone since he was at work and so I called his work phone. I got ahold of Lucas who stepped away and called me because he knew I wasn't feeling well and told him what was going on. Lucas left work and picked me up to go to the ER. Mom and Bryant met us at the ER. 

Lucas dropped me off at the ER doors and went to park. At the check-in desk there was one person in front of me and the nurse was talking to her. Before letting the other lady into the ER I asked the nurse if i could sit down somewhere and she said she would be right back. After telling the nurse that I had moderate-severe mitral valve regurgitation and prolapse and that my apical pulse was 135 and my heart doctor told me to come to the ER the nurse was surprised and rushed me right in to get an EKG. I admit I was nervous at this point because things began to become real and I got a little emotional when telling the nurse what was going on. I got an EKG and the tech admitted that he couldn't tell me what it looked like but he let me look at the EKG strip. At first glance I could tell that my heart rate was really fast but that it didn't look like anything was noticeably abnormal. Since the EKG didn't show a heart attack they sat me down and then began the waiting. Mom, Bryant and Lucas were with me at that point and it was nice to have company with me while waiting to make things lighter and happier. Diana was working that day and even came down for a little to say hello and see how things are going.

I feel like recently I have told many people about my valve issue because in casual conversation working out has come up and I have stated that I need to work out. Since I am so skinny they have responded in no you don't need to work out and so then I respond that I need to work out for my heart and proceed to say i have a valve issue. Anyway, I thought my close friends and family had known about my heart but I guess not everyone in my family knew because in the ER Bryant mentioned that he didn't know I had a heart issue until they got the phone call that I needed to go to the ER. 

Anyway, after getting asked questions, then blood work and then more questions I finally moved from the waiting room back into a room in the ER. Dad was at the hospital performing surgery since it was a Monday and therefore came to the ER once I was in a room to see how things were going. Dad called Dr. Bower to let him know that I was finally back in an ER room and seeing the ER doctor and Dr. Bower said that he checked in the ER for me and I wasn't back yet and had to leave for procedures at Sunrise hospital. It was really nice that dad was able to be there! After getting the blood work, chest X-ray and EKG results the ER doctor said that everything came back normal. Considering everything was normal I got 2 liters of fluid (which I thought would happen), nausea medicine and went home. If my heart doctor didn't tell me to go to the ER I wouldn't have because I knew exactly what they would do (2 liters of fluid and send me home) and then I would get stuck with a big bill...and that is exactly what happened.

After going home I took a long nap, and finally tried to eat something. I ate some soup and we started to watch a movie but watching the TV screen made me more nauseous and sick. I took an anti-nausea pill they gave me in the ER thinking that would help but the cherry flavoring of the pill made me throw everything I ate up. I just kept feeling worse and worse so I asked for a priesthood blessing. I was so dizzy, weak and nauseous that Lucas performed the blessing while I was laying down. I distinctly remember him blessing me that I would be healed and be successful in the things I needed to complete for nursing school that week. I have never had a blessing take effect right away, it was a miracle. Once he lifted his hands from my head I no longer was dizzy or nauseous and I stopped sweating.

I was very tired and very weak for the next couple of days and couldn't even stand very long but luckily I had recuperated enough to be able to stand for my 45 minute presentation on Friday the 27th. When talking to Lucas about it he said your heart ran a 13 hour marathon, I am not surprised you are so weak and tired.

After going on Spring break I went to get an Echo of my heart and then saw Dr. Bower the next week in his office. Lucas went with me because I wanted him to and 2 ears are better then one. At the appointment Dr. Bower said that nothing had changed with my echo, few! He also told me a list of things to NOT DO, such as take cold medicine, eat black licorice, drink caffeine and try to stay away from chocolate. He also told me to eat healthy and exercise, which I know I should do but need to do it. I mentioned how after flying to Hawaii in January my ankles were swollen for 2 days and he told me to make sure I get up and move around next time and that wearing compression stockings wouldn't hurt. So all in all he told me the things I knew I should do (except for avoid cold medicine and chocolate) and now I really should do them. I am going to start wearing compression stockings during my 12 hour clinic days, eat healthy, exercise and of course NO caffeine or cold medicine. Lesson Learned.

March 19, 2015 ~ We're Packing Heat

But not really...they are borrowed! Due to Lucas' work (as usual) we were able to go shoot machine guns for free! They served us Italian food then we were able to go have target practice. The gun had some kick (more kick then I am used to but I didn't fall over) and was really loud even though we had headphone on.  Afterwards we talked to Richard and Kate, until the store closed and we then started to talk outside the store until the store owner gave us a dirty look when he was locking up the store. We then decided to get smoothies because Richard and Kate are too fun to talk to and we didn't want the night to end yet. 

March 14, 2015 ~ Liz's Wedding!

 It is crazy liz is married!! Jansen and Liz were dating long distance for a while, Jansen in a state that states with M (oops I forgot which state) and Liz in Vegas. Jansen went for a residency interview (or so liz thought) and he surprised liz by flying into Vegas and proposing! Now they are finally getting married after long distance dating and a long distance engagement, but unfortunately they will be doing long distance marriage until he starts his residency program in the summer. Anyway, they are so cute together and I was so happy I could be apart of the wedding! The night before they had a grooms dinner and no one was getting up to toast Liz to represent the Utley cousins (or any sibling or cousins of Liz) so I got up to share some funny stories, good memories and happy wishes for the cute couple. One funny story I shared was how Bryce and Liz would put on concerts for the younger kids and pretend to be NSYNC.

On Saturday I went to my morning class with Professor K (ya...professor K) and then left a little early to make it to the sealing. I was a little late but luckily everyone was still waiting in the temple chapel. It was a beautiful ceremony and it is always fun to have a family gathering in the temple.

Ara also got married! Since Ara is a co-worker of Lucas' and a good friend of Diana's we went to Ara's reception and ate delicious authentic tacos then went to Liz's reception just a little late and stayed the rest of the night at Liz's reception. Luckily Ara's reception started at 6pm and Liz's started at 7pm.

February 21-26, 2015 ~ Lucas' Trip to Guatemala

February 21st

La Antigua  Guatemala, Sacatepequez

Eating off the streets. Nothing better than that.

Right outside of Antigua. They have a beautiful hill overlooking the town.

This is the way we travelled around the town. Since it was so small, and we had 3 of us, we weren't able to get up the hill properly. So Sam and I got out and helped push, to give it a running start.

We were there right before Easter. Every Easter they have a huge celebratory festival. They usually have a parade that goes through the streets. The statues behind me are hand made and painted for this special celebration.

At night in the plaza of Antigua. It was calm and peaceful. We would sit outside and just watch the people enjoy themselves. Anyone who's anyone was in the plaza at night.

February 22nd

Took a bus to one of the largest markets in Guatemala. They had everything you could possibly want. It was extremely crowded but good thing for us, we were a foot taller than everyone so we could navigate pretty well.

Eating some fried chicken in between shopping at the market.

Lake Atitlan Panajachel, Solola
This is what some church archeologist and experts believe to be the Waters of Mormon. It is known to be one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. It definitely lived up to all the expectations. Sunset is amazing there.

February 23rd

We took a boat across the lake, then took a taxi to get the base of the mountain that we wanted to climb. The hike wasn't easy but totally worth it. You can see the Lake as well as the surrounding volcanoes. Our guide didn't even break a sweat. He told us that many people would go hang gliding off this point, down to the lake. This was by far one of the best views I have had in my life. We all just sat at the top and enjoyed the view for awhile. 

We also went on a hike to a nearby volcano. The volcano is still active. There is a spot where there is air coming from underground. The air was so hot, that the guide gave us a few marshmellows and we were able to roast them on a stick. It's pretty cool to say I have roasted marshmellows from lava heat.

Buying more food off the street. We have been doing this since my first trip to Mexico when I was 8. Still never gotten sick.

On the dock of the Lake.

February 24th

We went to a botanical garden nearby.

One of the reasons we wanted to come to Guatemala was to volunteer at this orphanage. When we got there, there wasn't really anyone there. Apparently, the owners were away for a medical conference and there weren't very many orphans there. But, like every place in Guatemala, they had a soccer field. So we rounded up some of the kids to have a friendly game of futbol.

We made a stop to the LDS church that was there in town. A member was there painting the gate outside the church (he had recently returned from his mission), and he let us into the church. It was a beautiful church.

February 25th

Sam and I tooth kayak out on the lake for about an hour. That was enjoyable. Over the years the water level of the lake has risen, so there were a couple houses that were half underwater. So, we took our kayak and rode through the house, through their porch and their living room.

After kayaking we decided to go to a natural hot spring together. Very relaxing.

Mom fell in the love with this lade who sold different pieces of jewelry on the streets.

Last meal on the lake, so we decided to spend some extra money to get some good food with a great view of the lake.

February 26th

Getting home was kind of a nightmare (per the usual). We were frantically trying to get onto the internet with our phones because we had to sign in, and they wouldn't let us do it at the counter. While we were stressing out about that, we had a little bit of lunch. Sam unfortunately took off his retainer, left it in the napkin that gone thrown away with all the other trash. Mom got the janitor, and started looking through all the trash. No luck, Sam was out $500. Luckily all worked out and we made the flight that was oversold. Thank goodness for no shows.

As you can see, when I am out, I am out. Note the drool all over my shirt.