It seems that half of the world's population is walking around without a gall bladder? I have discovered this due to the fact that I have joined the other half and am now gall bladder-less!! Before the whole ordeal, I was introduced to about a thousand people who had also had their gall bladders removed...I will never understand why we have organs that we simply can live without. Especially when those seemingly needless organs begin to cause us horrible pain and digestive issues for no apparent reason at all. Anyhoo, my gall bladder experience was one I will never forget- and don't wish to. So, I am going to re-tell the ordeal for my own benefit and if you want to come along for the ride feel free...but I am warning ya...it ain't all pretty
I walked into the surgical center at 5am on December 21st, 2009 after having been up toiling over the fact that my 5 week old baby had decided to get up in the wee hours of the morning and have one of his freakishly CRAZY nights on the day of my surgery. I had to leave my crying baby with my poor angel of a sister who volunteered to stay with my kids (while watching a child of her own) during my surgery...she had no idea what she was getting into. Luckily, she is one of those naturally amazing mothers and managed to survive.
I had gotten up, and amidst the howls of my baby, I showered and diligently did my hair, make-up and put on my new Juicy Couture sweat suit I had gotten as an early birthday gift. This somehow made me feel better since my nerves had finally kicked in and the urge to throw up was relentless as I thought about somehow dying during my surgery. This effort proved to be completely unappreciated by the surgical center staff as they immediately had me strip down, put a gown on, and cover my hair with a surgical cap. At least I looked good for a half hour or so...right? I am sure the one other elderly woman in the waiting room really appreciated it...
"How many other people have worn this gown" I thought as I trudged to my impending doom. As I laid in my coffin...err bed, I was visited my seemingly every member of the surgical center staff since my mother works there and was sure to inform everyone of my coming. Before I knew it, I was being wheeled into the surgery room. I was so scared I was shaking and felt the need to apologize for my uncontrollable wussiness. However, before I had the chance I heard "Here come the Bahamas" from the anesthesiologist and I was out. The surgery commenced. While out, I don't remember being anywhere near the Bahamas. In fact all I remember is immediately waking up and hearing all sorts of panting for breath and whining for pain meds. It took me a while to figure out that it was coming from me...yuck.
It seemed like no time at all before they had me up and walking to another area. This is when the uncontrollable nausea hit. I felt like puking all over my nurse for making me get up as she helped me walk to my lazy boy recliner where I would spend the next five hours trying to get my nausea under control. Though my sweet nurse tried, we were never able to get me feeling good enough to go home early. To prevent blood clots, I was supposed to get up and walk around every hour. This felt like utter torture as I would just fall asleep and be immediately awoken by an entirely too positive nurse wanting me to walk around...which would last about five seconds before I would feel the urge to puke and need to sit down.
Finally, after six hours of being laid out in the surgical center, which was a long time for a gall bladder patient, I was dressed back in my juicy couture sweat suit (a mistake as I realized comfort over cuteness is far more desired after surgery...oh well) and sent home. My nausea was still pretty bad but I couldn't stay at the surgical center any longer. So, I was sent home and puked again...which was dreadful because it hurt the stitches on my stomach so horribly. My dear sweet husband however, came to my rescue with all sorts of remedies to try to control my nausea and pain. Because he is getting a doctorate of pharmacy and is super smart, his remedies worked and I eventually started to feel much better!!
I hated being out of commission for so long- not being able to hold my kids or feed my baby or even vacuum my house was horrendously taunting and unpleasant for me. However, thanks to my wonderful husband who stepped in like a pro and my sweet family, especially my mother-in- law, we managed to survive. And now it has been two and a half weeks and life is slowly getting back to normal and I am feeling great!! I am so glad November and December are over- even though 2009 was a wonderful year!! Thanks to all those people who have been so thoughtful and sweet in bringing meals, offering to help with the kids and for just being supportive- I couldn't have gotten through these past two months without you!!! Love you all!!
Every spare moment I have, has been spent trying to catch up on my scrapbooking-which I have gotten desperately behind on due to a new baby and an untimely surgery...
I have quite a collection of scrapbooks which meticulously document every major event and even many fun, small moments of our lives together!!
Of course, plenty of time is spent cleaning up toys (about 28 different times a day as Jane just pulls them out again), washing bottles, folding laundary etc. etc.
Naturally, there is the daily three hours of office work to be done for the park- and quite often some late nights as well...
And the BEST part of my day is getting to spend time with this crazy, fun girl...
...and this adorable, sweet boy. They are both growing too fast!!
