Gall Bladder Be GONE!!!!!

It's been a wild ride. All last week I just didn't feel well, was nauseated, had pain in my stomach. On Saturday, I was sooooo tired. I slept in, took a morning nap and then an afternoon nap. This is very unusual for me but didn't cause any concern since it had been a tough week emotionally.

Saturday evening, Kevin and I went to dinner and then to Lowe's and finally stopped off at my folk's house to visit with my grandma. During our visit, I started getting an ache in my gut. It wasn't bad, but I asked Kevin to take me home. Halfway there, I pulled over and let him take the wheel. This really concerned him since I don't like anyone to drive my van...even him. :)

After we got home, I layed on the couch trying to relax the pain away and Kevin ran a couple of errands. While he was gone the pain that hit was AWFUL!!! I wanted to die..literally. I have had 4 children, one by C-section and have never felt that kind of pain and I really never want to again.

By the time Kevin came back I was curled up on the floor in a fetal position just sobbing. Annie had been sitting by me rubbing my hair and looked up at him and said, "Dad, it's not going so well". (looking back, that's pretty darn cute AND funny...at the time I was ticked that she told on me) He ordered me into my shoes and into the car and took me to Urgent Care. Right before we left, the pain went away and I felt better, but he made me go anyway.

When we got to Urgent care, I explained what I had felt and they took me right back, had a doctor come in and check my belly and referred me straight to the emergency room. He even called ahead to let the doctors know I was coming and sent paperwork. I should have been alerted by about then that this was no easy fix, but I was in serious denial.

Once in the emergency room we had to wait all of 10 minutes before I was put in the back. They did an ultrasound, took blood and gave me the GI cocktail (which is gross) to help the lingering pain and heartburn and told me to wait patiently...which I didn't. For heaven's sake I had things to do!!! :)

Finally the doctor came and and let me know that I had gall stones which weren't really a problem, but my liver was not functioning properly, which was (hence the exhaustion). The plan was for non emergency, emergency surgery. Basically that means that they won't do it right away...just as soon as they can. I was given an IV and admitted. By this time I was pretty ticked at my body. I had visiting teaching stuff to do, meetings, classes, church issues...I just couldn't take a break, but I didn't have a choice.

Sunday morning at 11, I went into surgery and woke up at 1:30 with 4 small cuts in my stomach held together with Durabond (superglue) and a horrible thirst. I asked for some ice chips or something, but they wouldn't let me have any. That's when I found out that the dye didn't go through my bile duct leading to my liver and I would have to have another surgery...less invasive, but still a surgery. I'm ashamed to say that I cried. A lot. My poor nurse (Nigel...a big english lad and totally awesome) was so sweet and caring and he and Kevin got me though it, but it was still a hard blow. No food, no water, lots of pain.

I needed to have an endoscopy on Monday morning. Basically, they knock you out, put a camera and small tools down your throat and through all your pipes and clean your ducts out. Luckily I don't remember a thing but still thinking about it gives me the eebie jeebies. I have pictures showing my liver, the tools going into my liver and them taking out the stone. I was going to post them, but I've been informed that it is disgusting, so I'll spare anyone that scene. :)

Things started to pick up so by Monday at lunch I could have jello and broth and thankfully all the water I wanted. Aaaahhhh. Then for dinner I had jello and broth. On Tuesday I was sure I would get out, but my liver and pancreas were putting out elevated enzymes which is bad, so I had to stay. And I had jello and broth for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

I got up this morning, had jello and broth for breakfast and lunch and finally the doctor came in and said that everything had gone down, that I could go, and that I was free to eat anything. YAY!!!

I got dressed, got discharged, and made Kevin stop at Arby's on the way home where I enjoyed a sandwhich, cheese sticks and a chocolate shake. I have never tasted anything so good in all my life.

So, finally home and very sore still I am enjoying being pampered (which I'm sure will stop soon) and letting the ward bring in meals (which I wish wouldn't stop...good stuff) and being lazy. I can't wait to finish healing so we can return to our summer plans of swimming and stuff. Our anniversary plans were put off track due to this little bump in our road so that stinks, but we will still get time together and we are healthy, so that's lots of blessings to be counted.

Thanks to everyone for your love, support, prayers, visits, flowers, happy thoughts, cards, gelato (yum!), and smiles. I love you all! :)