IforceMel’s BodyBlog

For all that didn’t already know, I went into the hospital at the end of January for an emergency appendectomy when they found my intestines were twisted. Apparently when I was born, my intestines didn’t attach like they are suppose to on my right side, so they were left hanging. The doctor was able to untwist them and was hoping that the scar tissue from removing my appendix, would hold them in place from that time forward. He did, however, warn me that this could happen again.

So I continued to train for my competition, determined not to let the surgery or anything else hold me back. Everything from that point forward, was much more difficult for me. My body wasn’t responding to dieting and training like it had in the past, and I was having to work/starve twice as much! I knew something was off. But finally two weeks ago, I felt as though my physique was finally coming back around and I had a photoshoot on 4-19. I was feeling so much better, 4 weeks out from competition, and several photoshoots that I was extremely excited about. I presented trophies at the Texas Shredder on April 26th and had a blast doing it!

On April 28th, I went to the gym at 3am, did my cardio, showered and started with my 5am client, just like any other normal tuesday, feeling great. At about 5:15 I started to feel my stomach cramp up, I did my best to hold it out for as long as possible, and finally at 5:45am, I told my client to finish up on the treadmill, I had to go. I grabbed my brother and told him to keep his phone by his side, that I may need to go back to the hospital. I ran downstairs and by the time I got to the bottom, I collapsed in pain. I immediately became drenched in sweat, and the pain by then was unbearable. My brother came running after me, carried me to the car, and we were off to the hospital.

This time was different. There was no time or need for guessing. I knew what it was. I had been through this agony before. Although I am now thankful that my mom happened to be in town, it was so hard for me to not only be in that kind of screaming pain, but for her to see me like that, crying her eyes out, broke my heart. Nobody should have to watch their baby go through that. And of course, Brenda was there, immediately if not sooner, watching me go through this for a second time and being nothing less than an angel for my brother and I both to lean on.

After the tests and cat scans and pain meds, I made it to a hospital room. They scheduled my surgery for wednesday. The pain meds were helping, I woke up feeling a little bit better. Although I was starving becuase I hadnt eaten since my egg whites at 4:30 am on tuesday am. Surgery was scheduled for 12:30. My doctor warned me that he probably would not be able to do the surgery laproscopically (sp?) this time and would more than likey have to cut me from my chest all the way down past my belly button. He said that this surgery would be much more invasive than the last, and that he would be removing part of my intestines and reattaching the rest. He warned me that I’d wake up with a tube up my nose and down my throat, which was the worst part for most people. I was terrified.

I woke up from surgery scared and alone. I felt like I was in the twilight zone. I couldn’t get anyone to tell me how surgery went or what was going on. I must have layed there for at least an hour in recovery. In the past when I awake from surgery, I feel drugged up and great. Not this time. The pain was intolerable, I couldn’t get anyone to speak to me, and I just wanted to know where i stood. Seven hours later I was taken back to my room where I had a warm welcome of family and friends. I was told that surgery went great and that my amazing surgeon somehow got two feet of intestine out of me laproscopically…through about a two inch slit. Thank the Lord!

Recovery has been very painful. I wouldn’t have made it through without all of the love and support surrounding me constantly. My hospital room looked like a florist. I don’t think I’ve ever felt as loved as I have this past week. My pops and Geoff both came in town and suprised me. I had friends, co-workers, and clients that took time out of their busy schedules to visit me EVERYDAY. Words cannot begin to express how thankfull I am for the many angels that I have in my life.

I finally got to have the tubes removed and eat on Saturday, which seemed like an eternity of starvation to this fat kid;) And I was released from the hospital on Sunday afternoon. I am on full bed rest at home for at least a week, until my follow-up appointment with my doctor next monday. I’ve had several breakdowns and pity-partys since I’ve been home, which I must admit, but I’m not proud of. I’m going stir crazy, for anyone that knows me knows that I HATE to sit sitll! I handle stress with running and lifting weights and of course I can’t do that. I’m still in a lot of pain, and I hate relying on pain meds. And when I look in the mirror, I don’t see the body that I’ve been working so hard for.

HOWEVER….I KNOW that I’ve been truely blessed. I believe that EVERYTHING happens for a reason. I know that there is a lesson to be learned in every experience good or bad. I know victory is so much sweeter when you’ve struggled through challenges and obstacles to get there. I know that what kills me only makes me stronger. I know that the Lord works in mysterious ways. I know who my friends are and who will continually be by my side. I know the power of prayer. I know that there are so many beautiful people out there that believe in me. And I KNOW that I will not let them down!!!!