I began experiencing gall stones in November of last year, and diagnosed myself via WebMD before I ever went to see a doctor. (That's so very "me" of me.) They confirmed my diagnosis, and told me that I needed to have my gall bladder removed. I was indignant. God gave me that gall bladder for a reason, and I would like to keep it - thank you very much. So, I resisted. And suffered. I had a gall stone "attack" at least once a month after that, seemingly at random. Nothing I ate in particular seemed to trigger it. But the onset was sudden, and debilitating. Excruciating. It feels as though your insides are being twisted and squeezed to the point where you would cry and scream, if only you had the oxygen to do so. I hope no one in the world EVER has to experience gall stones ever again. That is my hope for the planet at-large.
Things changed drastically during the last 3 or 4 weeks - I was having an attack every weekend. I could no longer cope, and Joey did some internet research on "homeopathic" remedies for gall stones. We bought some crazy stuff from the vitamin store, like black walnut tincture, and I fasted and drank Epsom salts, and then I drank A CUP of straight olive oil and lemon juice. *gag*
It was awful, but we were hopeful that this "cleanse" would flush out those evil gall stones. No dice.
That very weekend, I had another "attack" and was rendered immoblile. Fetal position, weeping, horrible. It even lasted into Monday, which had never happened. It was when I began the projectile vomiting, and my skin & eyes began turning a strange yellow that I realized there was something terribly wrong. I decided I was going to drive myself to the Emergency Room, but my parents wouldn't allow me behind the wheel. (Guess I looked as bad as I felt.) My Dad took me to the Emergency Room- while my Momma stayed with the kiddos, while Joey left work and met me there.
The nurse looked at me and wondered how I was still standing. She noticed how yellow I was, and noted that projectile vomiting was not a good sign. My blood tests showed elevated numbers on pretty much everything. One number in particular that evidenced a real problem was one for my liver and pancreas function that was over 10,000 when "normal" is between 10 and 70. I was admitted immediately, and was told that not only did my gall bladder need to be removed on an emergent basis, but that my pancreas was very sick as well. They began i.v. fluids and that is all I was given for 4 days. I was allowed nothing by mouth, not even WATER for 4 days while my pancreas "cooled down". It was difficult being that hungry, but I felt too awful to really pay too much attention to it.
It was scary, especially since they told me there was a lady in the ICU with the same problem I had, who had been there for 3 weeks waiting to be well enough to have her surgery. I am just so glad I came to the E.R. when I did, I was very very sick.
After the first day, my gastrointerologist did a procedure to check for blockages that might be causing all these problems. (The first time I was ever put "under" for surgery, and that terrified me. There were lots of risks involved with that procedure, but there were a lot of people praying for me and I felt it.) My Dad and Joey were there with me before they took me back for the procedure, making me laugh - even though it hurt. Then, all I remember is foggily waking up in recovery, not being able to breathe after they removed my breathing tube. (Being intubated is for the birds!) He didn't find any blockages, but determined that there had been a gall stone that had been released from my gall bladder and was blocking my common bile duct... which caused the pancreas and liver problems I was experiencing.
Every day, my numbers came down drastically and on day 5 in the hospital, they went ahead with my gall bladder removal surgery. My surgeon told me that there were quite a few stones in that gall bladder, and also it was inflamed and almost infected. It would have needed to come out regardless of any stones. Thankfully, it was laparascopic surgery. 3 tiny incisions, and 1 larger one. But I felt every single inch and then some afterward. I seriously would have rather had another C-section than that. At least I would have gotten a sweet baby out of the deal.
The first 5 or 6 hours post-surgery were horrible. I couldn't get enough pain medication to be able to breathe. I vaguely remember my family being there, but it's all pretty fuzzy. I was in so much pain, that I had to let my mind wander from it. I was so thankful that I brought my iPod. I turned on the music and did some serious deep breathing to try to distance myself from the pain I was feeling. It was like ignoring the discomfort while running, just putting your mind on something else to get past it.
Joey and my Mom were there with me, and were my advocates in every way. They made sure I was as comfortable as possible, and whenever I opened my eyes one of them was right there beside me. I couldn't believe everything my body had been through in just one week, it was exhausting. It was a whirlwind of disaster, but thankfully God pulled me through. And my family was there for every bit of it. My parents were at the hospital most of the time, and Honey and Mikey took care of the kids for us- and even brought them up to the hospital to visit me a couple of times. It was so hard not being able to hold and squeeze my babies. That made me feel worse than any of the other stuff really.
I was released the day after surgery, after I had kept down my low-fat breakfast of toast and scrambled eggs. It was hospital food, but I can't remember having tasted anything so scrumptious. (5 days with no food, people.)
That is actually one of the only things I remember from that day. (serious pain meds!) I don't remember how I got home, but I do remember Joey surprising me with an iPhone when I was laying in our bed there. So sweet.
It took me over a week post-surgery to start to feel like myself again. Finally being able to get out of the house was awesome! Now, it has been 2 1/2 weeks since my surgery and I am still a little sore, but was able to run today. It felt awesome.
I am so happpy knowing that I won't ever have to worry about when that pain is going to hit me, and knock me flat.
I have to say a HUGE thank you to all my family and friends who watched over my babies while I was unable, especially to Keri for transporting Reilly to and from school every day, folding laundry, taking care of Avery, and bringing food and frozen yogurt. (Which made me very happy by the way!) And also especially to Aunt Honey, who took care of Avery for days, and brought a thoughtful care package, flowers, and breakfasts. I hope I can one day be there for them like they were for me. And I am also so thankful for the kind friends, and even perfect strangers who brought hot meals for my family to eat. God Bless you all, I am so grateful for your kindness, well wishes, and prayers.
