#OperationLayla

Update!

Jessica T — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 13:07:36 +0000

Hi friends! I (Layla) wanted to give you a very belated update, let you know what’s going on with Operation Layla, and spread the word about another wonderful blog.

First of all, I want to say thank you, THANK YOU!, to each and every person that worked on Operation Layla, spread the word, donated, baked, bid, blogged, prayed, sent good thoughts, emailed me, sent care packages, brightened my day, g-chatted with me when I was recovering, and helped me accomplish this very important thing. You are all amazing. Honestly, I can’t put my appreciation and gratitude into proper words, nothing feels appropriate. Just know, please know, that I am eternally thankful for what you did.

I hope some of you are still around, because we want to do great things with this blog. As the header states, Operation Layla is about bloggers banding together for a cause. My cause, although not over, was taken up by my amazing friends and the wonderful strangers (many of whom have now become friends) that made Operation Layla such a success. It proved that the blogging community is a REAL community, full of generous, kindhearted people. It proved that we can make a difference in someone’s life. We want to continue to make a difference.

As the last update states, I did have my surgery, and then had some complications. Two months after my initial surgery, I had to have a second one. Two days after that, I was taken by ambulance to the hospital where I stayed for three days. My last surgery was almost four weeks ago, and I’m over the moon to announce that physically, I feel great. My energy is a little low, but my pain is GONE. For the first time in….I don’t even know how long. Surprisingly, my insurance company said they would cover the cost of the second surgery, but I haven’t gotten any bills for it yet, so I’m not sure what will happen. Regardless, I am pain free, thanks to all of you.

As I said, we (the people that started Operation Layla and myself) would love to keep this blog going as a way to help fellow bloggers in need, specifically, bloggers that are struggling with financial problems and are in need of medical procedures that are not covered by insurance. The kinks and details about how we will do this are still being worked out, but we hope that you’ll help us spread the word about how amazing this community of bloggers really is, and how we are using Operation Layla to help other bloggers that are dealing with insurance issues.

In that vein, I wanted to let you know about an online auction that will be taking place in 14 days (to take place on June 24th and 25th) on Go Team Witt! Kristin and Cameron Call are a lovely couple that, upon receiving enough funds to receive treatment for their fertility treatment before an auction to raise the funds could even go live (The power of community! I literally cried when I read that, because it just confirmed that Operation Layla wasn’t a fluke, and that people really are generous and willing to help others!), decided to help another couple that was dealing with the same thing. The auction that will take place in two weeks is to raise funds for fertility treatment for another lovely couple, Allen and Jill Witt. You can learn more about Allen and Jill on Jill’s blog, My Journey to Fertility. The goal is to raise $5,000 to help with the cost of the very expensive fertility treatments. If you have dealt with infertility, or know someone that has, you know that it’s not only a mental and emotional struggle, but a huge financial burden as well.

Can we help ease the burden for Allen and Jill?

There are some GREAT items up for auction, such as new arrival print posters from A Vintage Poster, a blog design makeover from Kristin herself, and a lifetime membership to Clickin Moms, just to name a few. BUT – the are seeking more donors! The auction is in two weeks, and they need more donors for the auction as soon as possible. If you run an Etsy shop, if you own a business, if you bake, if you would like to help, please contact the Go Team Witt! crew at GoTeamWitt(at) gmail (dot) com. You can also donate money directly on the Go Team Witt blog.

As always, if you are unable to donate – please do what you can – and spread the word!!!

Update

Jessica T — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 00:54:37 +0000

I don’t know about the rest of you but last week, I was glued to my computer waiting to hear how Layla’s surgery went. Around 9:30 a.m., we got word from her husband that she was headed back for the procedure to start and then at 11:46, he informed us he was headed back to see her in recovery.

It’s amazing to think that a month ago, we were all crossing our fingers just hoping that Layla would get the care that she deserved and now, she’s home and recuperating. The surgery wasn’t an easy thing to go through and she’s slowly getting better day by day. Don’t just take my word for it though, read on to hear the story from Layla herself. (Used with her permission.)

One week ago today, I had surgery. It’s hard to believe it’s been seven days already. I’ve deemed this past week “the lost week,” because I don’t remember ANY of it. I have snatches of memories come back to me, and I have to verify if what I’m remembering really happened or if I dreamed it. I don’t even remember writing my last blog post! It’s pretty obvious I was feeling gooood on some Percocet when I wrote it, because holy run-on sentences, typos, and over use of the word “like.” However, everything in it absolutely happened. I am a weirdo that demanded REO Speedwagon be played during my surgery. Hi, I’m Layla. Have we met?

I’ve weened myself off of the pain killers (not fun, but necessary if I ever wanted to take the Browns to the Super Bowl again) and rejoined the world a bit. I’ve slowly made my way through the house, and am not just stuck in my bedroom in any longer. As a matter of fact, I put on makeup and blew my hair dry after my shower today! Then I drove myself to Starbucks. Yep. I’m so proud of myself! I’m kind of amazed by the improvement I’ve seen. Every single day, I’m stronger and able to do more. This surgery wasn’t the most intensive, but they did more than we expected and therefore my recovery has been harder than I anticipated.

Recovery has not been fun, not gonna lie. I slept a lot the first few days and took a lot of painkillers, but I had no appetite so they made me sick. Even on painkillers, sleep was not fun or restful. I’ve bled for seven days straight so far. My sheets are ruined. (Hoping that ends soon.) I can feel EVERY thing my bowels do….I promise you, I can feel every little gas bubble travel allll the way through my body and it HURTS. I have a constant stitch in my right side, and pain that shoots from that stitch to the crease of my right leg and down my thigh. Going to the bathroom….let’s not talk about it. Suffice to say, it’s an hours long process that has led to tears nearly every day. I developed a bladder infection from the catheter and am on antibiotics, and it’s finally starting to feel better.

My incisions are still sore but no longer feel like they’re ripping when I walk, like they did the first four days. I’m exhausted and emotional and a little scared sometimes, because I don’t know if I’m doing something wrong. My hair is falling out badly, most likely from stress. I don’t know if all of the bowel pain is normal, or if it’s because of the appendectomy (and whatever was wrong with my appendix…who knows what that is…?) or that plus the colon and small intestine being bound and finally released…I honestly don’t know. I just know it’s been the worst part of it. I have laid awake for three nights now, because that’s when it decides to hurt the most. I’ve read two books in two nights. I’m almost out of new books to read. This is bad.

I was told I would have 2-3 incisions, but I woke up with four. One on my pubic bone, one on each side of my stomach (closer to my hip bones) and one in my belly button. The incisions were supposed to be pretty small, and I guess they are, by incision standards….but my belly incision is MUCH bigger than I thought it would be. I guess that’s because of the appendectomy, maybe they had to make it bigger to pull it out, who knows? The pain has been….bad. Very, very bad. I have video of the exploration prior to the cutting, and I wanted to post it to show you, but I can’t get it to post. I think once you see the exploration and what they had to cut, move and change, you’d understand the pain. I’m sure an appendectomy hurts like hell on it’s own, but add it to a bunch of other stuff and OW, y’all. I’m honestly convinced that any woman that has had a c-section is a super hero. Props to them! (I don’t ever want one now. I never want stitches in my abdomen again, much less staples, GAH!)
So, what all did they find? I honestly don’t know. I’ll find out more at my post-op appointment in four weeks. From the video and what Josh has told me, I know this:

My uterus was being held to my abdominal wall by a small adhesion, they freed it.
There was a small fibroid on the outside of my uterus (it doesn’t LOOK small on the video!) but they left it, because they don’t generally cause problems if they’re outside the uterus.
One of my fallopian tubes was twisted and curled backward on itself, due to some adhesions. It, including my ovary, was curled up and trapped, not free like the other one.
My cervix was shut due to the stenosis, and they used a dilator to open it up. (I believe this is a D+C? I’m not entirely sure. I know he showed the inside of my uterus on video and showed the areas where the dilator had injured it, but said it would heal.) But go ahead and do a Google image search of antique cervical dilators. Enjoy your nightmares.
Several sections of my colon and small intestine were attached to my abdominal wall with adhesions.
My appendix was removed, though I still don’t know why.
He removed endometriosis throughout my abdomen.
There was a cyst on the fallopian tube that was not bound. He pointed it out on the video but I don’t know if he removed it.

The best news that I know for sure?? The doctor said that the cervical dilation helped my stenosis enough that we could TRY to have a baby the old-fashioned, fun way now. What does that mean? Well, it means we can probably get pregnant without an IUI now, should we want to, but more than that…it means my husband and I can have sex again. TMI, maybe, but I don’t care. It’s been a while. We’re both happy, even if we still aren’t quite there yet (and won’t be for some time). I’m still on the fence when it comes to having children, but I know Josh wants them and he’d be an excellent father. He has been SO wonderful at taking care of me during this, that if I had any doubts about his ability to help out should we have children, they are now gone.

So, although I don’t know exactly what my life is going to be like post-op (Less painful periods? No more debilitating pain when I go to the bathroom? The ability to have a job???) I do know this: If it weren’t for the ladies behind Operation Layla, and all of the wonderful people that helped and donated and spread the word and blogged….this surgery wouldn’t have happened. And as much of a pain in the ass as it is now, while I’m recovering…..the good news that I’ve already received shows what an amazing thing you all did.

Do you realize that I will probably be able to have children if I want, because of you?

Do you realize that I can now be intimate with my husband, because of you?

Do you realize that you probably saved me future problems with an emergency appendectomy, because of what you did?

You all made this possible. If those are the only things I get out of it, and I still have painful periods, I won’t care. Not at all. Because you’ve already improved my life so much, just by being amazing, selfless people. I don’t have a large enough vocabulary to find the appropriate words to thank you with. I will never feel that I am showing enough appreciation, that I am showing enough gratitude, that I am making you understand how much I love you all for what you’ve done. All I can do is repeat myself and hope you trust the sincerity. Please know, without a doubt, that my gratitude is 100% sincere. You’ve changed my life, in more ways than you know. Thank you for making me a better person, altogether.

LOVE.

Operation Layla has truly reached it’s goal. Layla is one step further to leading a healthy life and that’s ultimately what this whole organization was about. Thank you to every single person who was involved and a special thank you to Layla and her husband, Josh. We’re all sending you love and support as you continue on this road to recovery.

A Surprise for Layla

Jessica T — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 00:19:42 +0000

Well, the big day is finally here. Layla’s surgery is tomorrow and completely, entirely, and 100% paid for. Operation Layla was a huge success and the current total is now at $7,461 just a few weeks after we started raising money. We can’t say thank you enough to those of you who contributed and any amount that is not used for Layla’s medical costs will go to a very worthy charity of her choice.

So, just to make sure she knows we’re thinking about her tomorrow during her procedure, just a few of the Operation Layla girls wanted to put this video together sending her our thoughts and well wishes.

We love you Layla! I know I can speak for everyone when I say get well soon.

The Operation Layla team has grown so large, I know that many more of you want to let her know you care, so be sure to leave your love for Layla too.

Kira’s Overnight Oatmeal Cookies

Jessica Lynn — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 12:02:15 +0000

Kira’s (Her New Leaf) Overnight Oatmeal Cookies

I’m contributing my Aunt Jan’s Overnight Oatmeal Cookies. Aunt Jan is my grandma’s sister, and her cookies are pretty much the stuff of legends in my family. International shipping available!

Before bidding, please review the Bake Sale Info. All funds from this sale benefit #OperationLayla, and please remember: items begin with a minimum bid of $15. To officially bid on this item, you must leave a comment with at least a $1 (one dollar) raise in price. All buyers have until 11 pm EST to submit their bid.

Thank you very much for your generous contributions and support. We will try our best to moderate the comments throughout the day. If you would like to comment anonymously or have any questions or concerns, please email OperationBakeSale@gmail.com. Happy bidding!

#OperationLayla’s Bake Sale

Jessica Lynn — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 02:00:13 +0000

Thank you to everyone who contributed and supported the online bake sale! Bidding has now closed, we will contact all the winners by Thursday, March 17.

Once we’ve contacted the highest bidder, the winner has 24 hours to donate the specified winning amount through the#OperationLayla PayPal button. Once the donation goes through, we will email the baker the winner’s email address. It will then be the baker’s responsibility to get in touch with the winner to work out the specifics of sending the baked good(s).

If you have any questions or concerns, please email OperationBakeSale@gmail.com.

Congratulations if you were the highest bidder! We’ll be in touch!

Becky’s Pizzelles (Waffle Cookies)

Jessica Lynn — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 01:39:46 +0000

Becky’s (Delightful Little Mess) Pizzelles (Waffle Cookies)

This family recipe is so delicious they’ll practically melt in your mouth. Enjoy three different varieties: Anise with Splenda, Anise with regular sugar, and orange with regular sugar. Becky is donating nine-dozen pizzelles, so there will be THREE winners. The top three bids get three dozen each!

Before bidding, please review the Bake Sale Info. All funds from this sale benefit #OperationLayla, and please remember: items begin with a minimum bid of $15. To officially bid on this item, you must leave a comment with at least a $1 (one dollar) raise in price. All buyers have until 11 pm EST to submit their bid.

Thank you very much for your generous contributions and support. We will try our best to moderate the comments throughout the day. If you would like to comment anonymously or have any questions or concerns, please email OperationBakeSale@gmail.com. Happy bidding!

Jamie’s Cupcake Essentials

Jessica Lynn — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 01:05:58 +0000

Jamie’s (My Baking Addition) Cupcake Essentials

There are dozens of baked goods listed here, but Jamie is very thoughtfully donating $50 worth of all the essentials you need to make cupcakes. She’s including a pan, liners, piping tips, piping bags and decorations. You’ll be baking up a storm in no time!

Before bidding, please review the Bake Sale Info. All funds from this sale benefit #OperationLayla, and please remember: items begin with a minimum bid of $15. To officially bid on this item, you must leave a comment with at least a $1 (one dollar) raise in price. All buyers have until 11 pm EST to submit their bid.

Thank you very much for your generous contributions and support. We will try our best to moderate the comments throughout the day. If you would like to comment anonymously or have any questions or concerns, please email OperationBakeSale@gmail.com. Happy bidding!

Jessica Lynn’s Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies

Jessica Lynn — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 19:36:26 +0000

Jessica Lynn’s (Jesstagirl and Her Officer) Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies

These are creamy, velvety, and practically melt in your mouth. It has a perfect amount of sweetness that keep your taste buds begging for “just one more bite,” and before you know it, the whole batch is gone.

Before bidding, please review the Bake Sale Info. All funds from this sale benefit #OperationLayla, and please remember: items begin with a minimum bid of $15. To officially bid on this item, you must leave a comment with at least a $1 (one dollar) raise in price. All buyers have until 11 pm EST to submit their bid.

Thank you very much for your generous contributions and support. We will try our best to moderate the comments throughout the day. If you would like to comment anonymously or have any questions or concerns, please email OperationBakeSale@gmail.com. Happy bidding!

Natalie’s Snickerdoodle Blondies

Jessica Lynn — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 19:31:39 +0000

Natalie’s (oven love) Snickerdoodle Blondies

These have all the chewiness of a blondie, and all the cinnamon sugar sweetness of a Snickerdoodle. These are perfect for lunches and snacking, and easy enough to throw together with pantry items before a party. Give them a try, and you’ll be addicted, too! International shipping available.

Before bidding, please review the Bake Sale Info. All funds from this sale benefit #OperationLayla, and please remember: items begin with a minimum bid of $15. To officially bid on this item, you must leave a comment with at least a $1 (one dollar) raise in price. All buyers have until 11 pm EST to submit their bid.

Thank you very much for your generous contributions and support. We will try our best to moderate the comments throughout the day. If you would like to comment anonymously or have any questions or concerns, please email OperationBakeSale@gmail.com. Happy bidding!

Amanda’s Cake Balls

Jessica Lynn — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 19:26:50 +0000

Amanda’s (The Tale of Two Kitchens) Cake Balls

These aren’t your traditional cake balls. These are so delicious and addicting you won’t be able to stop eating them. But that’s okay, because tiny donut-hole-like cakes are fat free, right? They’re soft and gooey and the winning bidder gets to choose the cake flavor. Frosting packaged separately.

Before bidding, please review the Bake Sale Info. All funds from this sale benefit #OperationLayla, and please remember: items begin with a minimum bid of $15. To officially bid on this item, you must leave a comment with at least a $1 (one dollar) raise in price. All buyers have until 11 pm EST to submit their bid.

Thank you very much for your generous contributions and support. We will try our best to moderate the comments throughout the day. If you would like to comment anonymously or have any questions or concerns, please email OperationBakeSale@gmail.com. Happy bidding!