The New Improved ErinPatricia, Now with Fewer Internal Organs!

So, just to recap, for anyone reading this who didn't see the Twitter updates over there on the side of the page, or anyone who is not my Facebook friend.

BTW there is some TMI of the EWWW SURGERY kind here, so be warned.

Sunday morning, around 4am I woke up with some pretty seriously painful stomach action, from the right to left side of my chest, beginning under my breasts and from that point straight down the middle to a bit below my navel. From about 430am till about 1100am I was throwing up every half hour and in a serious amount of pain.

Food Poisioning, I thought.

The vomiting went away and the pain lessened, but didnt go away completely. I figured it was strained muscles from the workout my body put me through earlier in the morning.

Monday morning I got sick only once but the pain came back, not as viciously as Sunday, but back. I felt so tired and wiped out that I called off work, something I honestly rarely do. I mean when I had my kidney stones in 2008 I worked straight through that pain, only taking off the day of and the 2 days after my surgery.
Add to all of this a fever. I mean I was hot, blast furnace conditions under the blanket. By the time we finally unearthed the thermometer my temperature was 102. I took some tylenol and fell asleep and when I woke up my temp was down. It kept dropping all night so I wasnt too worried that I couldn't get a doctors appointment on Monday.

Tuesday morning the fever was back, high (101.9) and the pain was back, so I called off again and made an appointment to head to Forbes Family Practice (when you work for a company that does not care enought to give it's employees insurance you cant be picky)

After taking my vitals and talking to me a bit the doc examined me, then told me he was going to "go talk to someone smarter than me" He brought back his supervisor (he was a 1st or 2nd year resident) and they both told me that I was being admitted, that it was probably my gallbladder that was infected, and I was going to spend a few days on IV fluids and Antibiotics and probably have to have it removed in a few days.

They wouldnt even let me go home to pack a bag.

By 9:00pm Tuesday night I had had an ultrasound and a chest x-ray, seen 2 different doctors, had blood drawn three times and had an IV inserted in my hand.

By 9am Wednesday I was being told I was going down for surgery at 2pm, no waiting a few days, it needs to come out now.

I had the Lapryscopic surgery, which means instead of cutting me open they made 3 small incisions to remove the gallbladder.
That didnt go quite as planned though, my surgeon told me that the organ was so infected, rotten, pus and gallstone filled that they had to make a larger incision near my belly button to remove it. Said incision was not stitched shut either. its being kept open and packed with guaze to make sure it drains and stays un-infected.
Yay.

The surgery went well other than that, the pain is there, but its tolerable, I had a small allergic reaction to the Percoset they gave me today that was fixed with a shot of Benadryl...which almost immediately made me into a zombie, they switched me to something called Ultram, then I got sent home.

My heartfelt thanks go out to all of the Doctors who made sure I got the help I needed, regardless of insurance status, I dont remember all of the names due to drugs but Dr. Naiman (surgeon) Dr. Vats and Dr.Ragunot (not the right spelling, but the right way to say it. I cant find his card) He is the one who initally examined me and would not let me leave. There were a few others, Dr Ravano and Dr. Gowda, who realized that the Percoset was doing things it was not supposed to do, and Dr. I cant remember her name, but she's Dr Naimans Physicans Assistant and was incredibly kind to me. The amazing (except for the 2 on wed night/early thurs morn) Nurses of the 6 North floor of Forbes, Michele, Quay, Courtney, Chris and some I cant remember, again...drugs. Ans especially all of my friends and family for keeping me in your thoughts and prayers and pockets.

Thank you Blake for worrying about me and keeping everyone updated, I love you more than you will ever know for being there, even if it was just on the phone.

Also thank you Mom for being there.

Theres more to the story, like my very sweet roomate who kept me up my first night snoring like a trucker and then was on some kind of Bipap/sleep study/oxygen saturation test machine thing that kept poor recently sliced open me up till 430am because the goddamn thing kept beeping and screeching and alarms going off and what kind of stupid fucking person puts a post-op in the same room as a Bipap anyways and how useless were the nurses that night who wouldnt do a goddamn thing about it and the when the sweet roomie (srsly, it wasnt her fault she was cool) went to the bathroom they let the alarms continue till she was finished and then the stupid fucking pants on head retarded nurse put her mask on UPSIDEDOWN so the machine made a high pitched shrieking alarm noise from 335AM till 411AM ( I have audio, this noise would make Mr Rogers want to kick babies) when someone from Respitory came up to fix it and said "Who puts a post-op in with a goddamn Bipap?!"

You bet your sweet ass Im complaining.

Quitters,Inc.

In 3 weeks I have had one cigarette.

I havent bitten my nails since the beginning of February.

I am a big ball of angry short tempered craving and withdrawl, usually accompanied with a headache.

And gum. Lots of gum.

Stand back at least 50 feet.

Fly the unfriendly skies.

What should have been:
New Orleans to Charlotte, departing @ 630pm Sunday.
Charlotte to Pittsburgh departing @ 10something Sunday
Arrive home in Pittsburgh around 1130pm


What is:
New Orleans to Charlotte, departing @ 630 pm Sunday.
Diverted from Charlotte to Raliegh because the runway was shut down, and we needed gas after being in a holding pattern for an hour.
Land in Raliegh, but they wont honor transfers or connections.
TAKE OFF FROM RALIEGH AND GO BACK TO CHARLOTTE.
Holding pattern because ANOTHER RUNWAY HAS BEEN SHUT DOWN.
Land @ Charlotte 1230AM Monday.
US Airways counter closed till 4am.
Wait.
Wait. Wait
Wait.

835am to Pitt canceled.
905am to Pitt on standby list
1130am to Pitt on standby list
100PM to Greensboro, connecting in NY (LaGuardia), Connecting to Pitt, CONFIRMED.

Im tired, dont feel well, hungry, pissed off, wondering if my luggage will be in Pitt when I get there, and how damaged it will be, very short on money or would have just gotten hotel and flown out tuesday, want Blake, want cigarette, want book thats in missing luggage.
Want very badly to choke a bitch. Any bitch will do.


UPDATE:
Thank the sweet baby Jesus I got onto the 905am flight and landed in Pitt at 11am. I was home and snuggled with my cat on my couch by 1230p.
I consider it Karma repaying me for helping some 90 year old woman with the BlackBerry her son bought her at around 230am. She had no idea how to use it.

To sum up. I boarded an airplane at 600pm sunday and finally landed in Pittsburgh at 11am monday.

You do the math.

Oh, yeah.
My luggage was there when I landed, so they at least did that right.

Fuck you Delta.

Im in Louisiana.
My luggage went to Akron.
Why?
Fucked if I know.
And the stupid accent lady didnt have a satisfactory explanation either.

I have the clothes on my back, a laptop, a purse, a book and a hoodie till my stuff arrives sometime tomorrow.

Blake did a very good job of keeping me from creating a Homeland Security issue in the baggage claim.

BTW Delta, I want my $15.00 back.

One man's trash is another Mayors irresponsible behavior...

From WPXI.com

Trash Talk: Pittsburgh Mayor Spends $250K On Garbage Cans
Wednesday, February 18, 2009 – updated: 5:50 pm EST February 18, 2009

PITTSBURGH -- When Pittsburgh residents think of trash, they could be thinking about Mayor Luke Ravenstahl thanks to some new cans with his name on them.

Just months before the primary election, Ravenstahl's administration is spending more than $250,000 to buy 250 new trash cans -- all with his name on them.

"I understand it might look like a lot of money," Ravenstahl said. "You can't simply go to Home Depot to buy a garbage can and put it on the street corner. We're looking for beautification. We're looking to have vibrant looking business districts, and we think it makes good sense to buy a quality garbage can."

The new cans will be distributed in 30 neighborhoods as part of the Taking Care of Business program -- a plan designed to help revitalize neighborhoods.

The head of the neighborhood programs defends putting the mayor's name on trash cans.

Kim Graziani said he is, after all, the mayor and wants people to know "he is responding to the needs of the community."

"A thousand dollars apiece with his name on it and it's your money," said taxpayer Brian Dunlap. "That's pathetic. Put my name on it. I'll get a garbage can for $5. I mean, come on."

"You live in the city. You have some concern about taxpayer money," said taxpayer Craig Clark. "I mean, it's not the brightest thing."

"Given the hard times were facing today, I just can't believe we would spend that kind of money on garbage cans," said taxpayer Art Schwarzaelder. "That's the kind of thing that ought to be audited investigated."

Ravenstahl isn't the first Pittsburgh mayor to put his name on garbage cans. Former mayors Tom Murphy, Sophie Masloff and Pete Flaherty also used trash cans as publicity.

Another issue, however, is that all city purchases over $5,000 require competitive bidding. But Ravenstahl defended skirting the system of accountability, saying his staff was certain the trash can purchase couldn't be matched.

Copyright 2009 by WPXI.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

See now I have a problem with this...
Kim Graziani said he is, after all, the mayor and wants people to know "he is responding to the needs of the community."

The community needs $1,010.00 Garbage cans? Hey Mayor Oscar The Grouchenstahl (all credit for that to Mikey from The Kiss Freak Show) Have you driven on any local roads lately?? Have you been snowed inside your house because of the halfassed snow removal around here? What about the shitty conditions of our schools, or our public transportation, hell you could of given that money to the Pirates so they could pay for a night of fireworks and bobbleheads.


From the TribLive Opinion page

Ravenstahl's garbage
Wednesday, February 18, 2009


Pete Flaherty did it. So, too, did Sophie Masloff. Tom Murphy did it and once chided another public official for not. And now, Luke Ravenstahl.

But just because past Pittsburgh mayors used taxpayer dollars for blatant political promotion on public property doesn't make it right.

Three months in advance of the May 19 mayoral primary, trash receptacles with Mr. Ravenstahl's name are being positioned around the city. They're defended as being part of the mayor's "Taking Care of Business" beautification project. But this is pretty egregious and expensive politicking on the public dime.

There are 250 of these glorified garbage cans. They cost an astounding $1,010 each. A quarter-of-a-million-dollar state grant -- tax dollars -- paid for them. A Public Works manager notes that the bulk purchase saved about $100 per trash can. For cryin' out loud, Philadelphia paid only $118 for each of its 697 Center City trash receptacles.

So, when bids were let for these cans, weren't there any cheaper models? Bids? What bids? Ravenstahl's administration didn't seek any bids. It just bought.

Pittsburgh remains in state receivership. Its pension plans are bust. Structural budget deficits loom. And the Boy Mayor is playing politics with grossly overpriced garbage cans. It's reprehensible behavior from a politician in dire need of an open-handed slap from reality.

Please Pittsburgh
I BEG YOU!
DO NOT REELECT THIS CHILD TO ANOTHER TERM AS MAYOR!

Welcome to Tampa, Mayor DamnYouHaveGotBallsNstahl!

As if the Douchbaggery of Mayor Attentionwhorenstahl changing his name for the AFC Championship game wasn't enough, now we have to add to the arrest, the celebwhoring and abuse of power and the misuse of government property and all the other unprofessional petty crap, with this...

City Sources Say There Will Be No Parade If Steelers Win Super Bowl
Wednesday, January 28, 2009 – updated: 7:18 pm EST January 28, 2009

PITTSBURGH -- City sources told Channel 11's Alan Jennings on Wednesday that if the Steelers win the Super Bowl, there won't be a parade in Pittsburgh.

Concerns are that the cost would be a budget buster and the parade would cause safety issues. The last parade drew a quarter million people into the Golden Triangle and was a public safety nightmare.

Steelers fans Jennings spoke with said there has to be a parade.

"I'm for celebrating the Steelers," said Steelers fan David Lineburg.

In 2006, the Steelers Super Bowl win was done in great fanfare. Thousands jammed Pittsburgh for the parade. Toni Gentile was there.

"I was right next to Highmark. I'll never forget it," said Gentile.

Some fans created a safety havoc by running up to the vehicles carrying the players. Crowd control was a challenge.
Copyright 2009 by WPXI.com.

So let me get this right...holding a parade for the Steelers, if they were to become the FIRST TEAM IN NFL HISTORY TO WIN SIX CHAMPIONSHIP TITLES is a "budget buster"
But Mayor Luke Imawalkingjokenstahl and Dan Drinktaxoroto can head down to Tampa for the superbowl, with 2 Asshatnstahl brothers and some security jags and thats not straining the budget?

Ravenstahl taps campaign funds for Super Bowl trip
By The Tribune-Review
Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl said today he will take a jet chartered by the Steelers to attend Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa, Fla.

Ravenstahl, 28, plans to leave Friday and return Monday. He said campaign funds — not taxpayer dollars — will be used to cover the cost of the plane ride, three days' lodging and a $1,000 ticket to the big game.

The mayor's brothers, Brad and Adam, will accompany him to the game, as will the mayor's two police security guards, who will travel separately. All costs will be covered by campaign funds, Ravenstahl said.

It's a great opportunity and a minimal expense for the amount of exposure that Pittsburgh will get," said Ravenstahl, who said he has been asked to appear on CBS and NBC's Today show while he's in Tampa.

The mayor said Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato and his wife, Shelly, also will be on the chartered flight.

The Super Bowl showdown between the AFC champion Steelers and the NFC champion Arizona Cardinals will begin at 6:30 p.m. Sunday.

Ravenstahl predicted the Steelers will beat the Cardinals 37-20.

"It's going to be a much higher scoring game than anybody thinks," Ravenstahl said
.

Whats that Mayor Pittsburghismyownpersonalplaygroundnstahl? You are using Campaign Funds for this? You say its a legitimate Campaign expense? Can you please explain how Mayor TampaisnotinPittsburghsotheyreallycantvoteforyounstahl?

I personally dont care what you think MayorDickheadnstahl. You sauntered into this job full of piss and vinegar and people, myself included, said wow, a young mayor, full of new ideas, someone to pull Pittsburgh out of the hole its been put into, how wrong I was...thanks for helping up sink a little deeper

Head on over to Mind Bling's blog, she has a few words for Mayor Clownshoenstahl too.

Why thank you, we appreciate your help sir!

Seems the Mayor of Phoenix disrespected The Terrible Towel at the Cards pep rally (18,000 fans came out to send off the Cards...over 30,000 hit Heinz Field friday night for our boys...Hmmm)



Gotta love the douchebag Cards fan with the upsidedown sign...jagoffs.


All I can say is thank you sir, thank you for not paying attention to history. Thank you for unleashing the Curse onto your team.
Please ask the Tennessee Titans and the Cincy Bungles what happens to teams who do this.

In the words of the sorely missed Myron Cope...


Hmm HA, That ain't Kosher!!


Go Steelers!

I hope Karma is good to you.

Meaning...

I hope you wake up tomorrow deaf, blind and dumb if you had anything to do with this...

From www.post-gazette.com

Butterfly Girl, a bronze statue in the Children's Garden at the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children, has been stolen.

"It's very disheartening. These kids don't have access to another barrier-free sanctuary like this," said Todd Reeves, executive director and superintendent at the more than century-old school.

The theft, described by school officials as coldhearted vandalism, was part of the damage discovered at the $720,000 garden around 7:30 a.m. yesterday when staff began arriving for work.

A similar statue of a boy was found toppled, face down, in the herb and flower garden. An arch sculpture of fruits and vegetables, with a giant fork protruding near the top, was broken in half, the broken section lying on the ground.

The Children's Garden, though aesthetically attractive, was equally important as an outdoor classroom and recreation space for the 175 blind students ages 3 to 21 who attend the North Oakland campus.

The arch, sculpted by Pittsburgh artist Robert Qualters, was one of several attractions in the garden that students could use to enhance their sensory awareness.

On a sunny, warm day like yesterday, many of the students would have been escorted to the garden to play, to touch and feel the sculptures and experience the sun and open air in a safe environment.

"The students would have been out ... on a day like this, but not with all of this mess," said Jillian Pritts, a spokeswoman at the school.

The broken and toppled artwork lay in place until police could investigate.

A resident in the area reported that building sensor alarms sounded around 2 a.m., and a possible suspect was seen running up the street.

No arrests had been made yesterday, police said.

The Children's Garden was built in 2003 with grants and donations from 23 foundations and 250 individuals who bought engraved bricks for the garden walkway.

It is fenced in with a locked gate.

Ms. Pritts said the children had been able to enjoy the outdoor facility year-round.

She said she hopes the Butterfly Girl statue, cast by artist Peter Calaboyias, will be returned.

"We couldn't replace a one-of-a-kind artwork that someone made just for us," Ms. Pritts said. "Who knows why [vandals or thieves] would choose this venue? It's just a shame."

It takes a hard calloused soul, or lack thereof to do something like this.

Thanks to PittGirl at The Burgh Blog for the links.