You know you are an American when...

You know you are an American when, you go to a German hospital and have a surgery! Oh the differences between our two countries! I guess that my time in Germany wouldn't fully be complete without a trip to a hospital. Honestly, this is something I could have done without, but sometimes we aren't in control of our bodies. *sigh*

So it all began about a month ago. I started having these pains in my lower right abdomen. At first, I contributed it to my diet change and workouts. As you can see in my other posts, I was on a mission to get fit! So the pain would come and go, and for a couple of weeks it didn't happen at all. Then two weeks ago the pain came again. This time it was worse, and it didn't go away. So I headed to the Army health clinic to get some help. I went two days, once to see a nurse and the next to see a doctor. They did some small tests, but since it is just a clinic, they were limited on testing. After getting papers approved, they sent me to a nearby German hospital for two different ultrasounds.

As I arrived at the ER of the local hospital, I was just thinking that I would have the two tests, possibly schedule a surgery, and be on my merry way home. Oh no dear friends, this was not what happened. Once I was called back to the room, a German with broken English told me to take off my clothes. I looked at him waiting for him to pull a curtain closed and give me a minute. He looked at me with impatience and told me to get undressed. There is your first difference... you just go ahead and get naked.

The gentleman then proceeded to insert an IV, ask me some questions, and then take my temperature in my armpit. This was odd to me, but who am I to know anything about taking temperatures? He then handed me another thermometer and told me to insert it into my... well he didn't know the English translation and I didn't know the German. Unfortunately, I was able to guess and I said, "You want me to put this in my hiney?!" He looked at me quizzically, and I pointed to the general direction. He confirmed with a nod and my spirits immediately sank.

The remainder of the day passed with me being taken from place to place having ultrasounds done. Both turned up with nothing, so the doctors moved me to a ward and said I would need to wait until the main doctor came and spoke with me. So my husband and I were moved into a room with another girl. This is where I would spend the next four days. That evening, a doctor came and spoke with me. They told me they were going to perform a laparoscopic surgery. This is where they insert a camera into my belly button to see what the problem may be. They also said that they would take my appendix out because even if there wasn't a problem now, there is always a possibility it would be a problem later. The doctor then left and said that I could finally have something to eat. I hadn't eaten since 8:30 am and I was starving! I assumed that they would bring me something to eat, but I waited and waited. Finally, two hours later they served dinner. Here is another difference between our two countries. Germans eat a bigger meal at lunch and very small meal at dinner. So when I removed the lid on my plate, I stared with disbelief at what was before me. Three pieces of white sandwich bread, butter, two slices of lunch meat, and two slices of cheese. That was it.

After a restless night of sleep, the next day began with pre-operation things. Talking to doctors, putting on super tight socks, not eating or drinking, etc... They then rolled me into the waiting area for surgery. I was nicely greeted by some people who spoke to me in German, then saw the oblivious look on my face and started speaking English. One man asked me if I was nervous, and of course I replied "yes." He then laughed and said, "Yah, you look it." Oh how sweet of you sir. They then rolled me into the operation room and started strapping me down to the bed. My thinking during this time was, "Shouldn't I already be out?" Then the anesthetist came and it all began. The last thing she said to me was, "Okay, this is going to sting some..." HOLY COW did it sting! I started coughing because the pain crept up my arm to my throat and then... blackness. I was out.

The next thing I remember was waking to the sound of a weird grunting cry.... I then realized it was me. That brief moment between the wearing off of the anesthesia and my pain medicine kicking in was bad. I don't think I've ever felt that pain before. But as quickly as it came, it left and my creepy crying stopped. Finally I was wheeled back to my room, greeted by my husband, and given something to drink. Again, I missed lunch so I waited for dinner. No surprise to me, dinner was bread, cheese, and a form of lunch meat. At this point I was so exhausted and in pain, I didn't care.

The next two days were very similar. I read and tried to keep my mind off of my uncomfort. I ate very little, because what they brought was not very appealing. I saw my husband when visiting hours took place. That would be another difference. In American hospitals, family members are usually welcome in the rooms at any time. Here, they were only welcome from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. I guess that allows the doctors and nurses to work without annoying, overbearing family members in the way, but during the time I didn't have visitors it was very lonely.

Finally, Sunday, my day of rescue came! I had some tests done in the early morning, and was then released. The nurse came into my room, looked at me, handed me a paper, and said, "You can go." That was it. I wondered, "Okay what do I do now?" Also more importantly, "Are you going to give me medicine?" Here is the final difference, Germans are very frugal with pain medications. They claim to be much stronger than Americans, and in my opinion they probably are in this matter. I must say though, I am proud to be an American, now give me more medicine!

Chicken with Mushroom Saunce

Brr! It is cold outside! Well I guess that it is about time, considering I live in Germany. It has been pleasantly warm and snow-free since this past week! But isn't it just pretty? As long as I can stay inside, I will be good with the snow. So with the snow comes cold and with the cold comes colds. Yes friends, I have a cold! If I was reading this aloud to you, you could say that I sound a little bit like Steve Urkel. Congestion is a horrible thing.
Despite my cold, I have managed to stay somewhat on track with working out and eating healthy. I am still working on Jillian Michael's 30 Day shred, and still completing level 2. It is still tough, but I am starting to feel stronger every day!

So this week I made a delicious dish that kept me warm and was still healthy! I made chicken with mushroom sauce, from Taste of Home Comfort Food Diet cookbook. Everything that I've had from this book has been wonderful so far, and I cannot wait to keep trying all of the different recipes. So here is a great dish that is easy to make!

Chicken with Mushroom Sauce
from Taste of Home Comfort Food Diet

Ingredients:
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1/2 cup fat-free milk
4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 pound fresh mushrooms, sliced
1/2 medium onion, sliced and separated into rings
1 tablespoon reduced-fat butter
1/4 cup chicken broth
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper

Directions:
In a small bowl, combine cornstarch and milk until smooth; set aside. Flatten chicken to 1/4-in. thickness. In a large nonstick skillet, cook chicken in oil over medium heat for 5-6 minutes on each side or until juices run clear. Remove and keep warm.

In the same skilled, saute the mushrooms and onion in butter until tender. Stir in the broth, salt, and pepper; bring to a boil. Stir cornstarch mixture and add to the pan. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Serve with chicken.

Yield: 4 servings
Nutrition Facts: 1 chicken breast half with 1/3 cup sauce equals 212 calories.

Doesn't that just look delicious? Well let me assure you, it is! I hope that you will be able to enjoy it as much as I did!