/(p[eu]rls of wisdom)?/: an interesting day

Friday, August 24, 2007

an interesting day

This morning, I wasn't feeling very well. I had pain just below my ribs. Wasn't very much, but a few hours after I got up, I vomited a couple of times (yeah, nice, I know). Came home and took some pain killers, but the pain didn't subside - in fact it got worse on the right side, and I just couldn't get comfortable at all - not sitting, not standing, not lying down. Karyn came home from work at lunchtime (Friday being the day she works two different jobs with a bit of time for lunch in between), and I got her to take me to the doctor, as I was in too much pain to drive. So she called work #2 to let them know.

The doctor examines me and says "I think you have gall stones" and then arranges for me to go and have an ultrasound at a local hospital. Sure enough, gallstones, and I call the surgeon the doctor talked to, and he told me that that I needed a laparoscopic cholecystectomy - keyhole surgery to remove the gallbladder. Because of the level of pain I'm in, he's fitting me in at 9am tomorrow (Saturday) morning, and given me narcotics in the meantime. So... I may be out of touch for a little while.

Please pray, send good thoughts, or send good vibes, as you deem appropriate.

7 Comments:

At 8:03 PM , SLM said...

I had that surgery in 2004. It wasn't bad, and the recovery was quick. I milked it for all it was worth though. ;-)

Good luck!
At 12:03 AM , Anonymous said...

Good luck with that!

My husband has gallstones too, and they told him he would need surgery after a painful episode. He declined and has never had another episode again. Ditto for my dad.

So you may very well not actually need the surgery, although it definitely will fix the problem permanently for sure.

I thought you were going to say appendix. That's on the right side too!

I get a pain regularly just below my ribs on the LEFT side, and there's nothing over there but intestines. A bit of mint oil helps the problem, I think it's just irritable bowel.

And it's not a serious pain like gall bladder and appendix can be!

Anyway, sending many good vibes for a fast recovery!
At 4:43 AM , Liam said...

My shnoogie had a similar surgery years ago. Gall bladder removal means you will have a harder time digesting lactose, and you might develop IBS (which can be controlled via diet and low stress).
At 7:25 AM , Sandy said...

Covering all the bases, I am sending a prayer, sending good vibes and keeping you in my good thoughts. Your surgery will be over soon. I hope you feel better!
Sandy
At 11:33 AM , Songbird said...

I'm so sorry to hear this! Hope you'll feel better soon. Love my socks!
At 1:42 PM , playfulkitten said...

I'm sure you're out into a room by now, but I hope everything went well. I'm sure everything went well, and I hope you recover quickly. :)
At 7:38 PM , Yuki said...

Oh NO! My aunt had her gall bladder removed. Not a major surgery, but you have to watch your diet for the rest of your life. (which is of course preferable to the pain, but still, not cool). *major hugs* Hope you get better very very soon! Prayers are flying your way!