Deb’s Whimsical Adventure: My Unexpected Hernia Journey

A Rundown of My Recent Health Adventure

Some of you may already know (lucky you), but for those who don’t, let me catch you up on last Monday’s little adventure: your favorite whimsical girl has sprouted an umbilical hernia!

Oh, joy.

I woke up Monday morning, March 31, feeling like I’d been danced upon by a herd of angry elephants. Off to the Emergency Room at the local hospital I went, eager to figure out what was wrong. Turns out, my intestines decided they wanted to make a run for it and were trying to escape through my abdominal wall next to my belly button. (Poor belly button.)

Specifically, this is called an "umbilical hernia." I have absolutely no idea how it happened, but it did—so here we are.

The Medical Journey

The emergency doctor took one look at the situation. He got all scientific with a CAT scan (don’t worry, no actual cats were harmed), and then manually shoved my intestines back where they belong. Thank God he gave me a small dose of morphine—the pain level was eight out of ten.

But the fun doesn’t end there! I’ll need surgery in a couple of months due to doctor backlogs and all that fun stuff.

The Last-Minute Changes

As a result, I had to cancel my appearances at the Tucson Folk Festival this past weekend. I’ve been given strict orders not to lift anything heavier than 10 pounds or do any unnecessary bending and stooping. This means no lifting luggage into overhead bins on planes or hauling heavy guitar cases around. (RIP, my dreams of helping others at the airport.)

While it might be easy to get down in the dumps during this time, I’m trying to focus on the positives. Normally, if I’m home, I’m running around taking care of things—and now that’s limited.

Finding Creative Outlets

However, I suppose this does open up a window of time and space to actually work on new songs and creative projects. What do you think?

I’m grateful that I can still sing! I’ll be back on the air for my “Brunch w/ Deb!” show on April 13th. So keep your ears tuned in!

Coping with the Wait

It’s an odd feeling to be sidelined when I usually have so much energy. While the hernia slows me down physically, I’m determined to fill my time with things that inspire and excite me.

This experience has been a reminder of the fragility of our bodies. It’s crucial that we listen to them, especially when they send warning signals.

Community and Support

During times like these, I cherish the support from friends and family. Whether through a quick message or a call to check in, it all makes a difference. If you've ever dealt with an unexpected health issue, you know how important this connection can be.

If you’d like to read more about health and wellness tips, you can check out this "Informative Health Blog". It’s enlightening!

Looking Ahead

As I look ahead, I am hopeful for a smooth recovery and a return to my usual routine. I know that once I’m healed, I’ll continue to embrace life’s joys. Music, friends, and experiences are what I cherish most.

So that’s the scoop from Deb’s Den for now.

Your Gal With the Hernia Belt,

-Deb :-)

P.S. And to think I was so excited to turn 60 just six months ago... bah, humbug!