Goodbye Gallbladder

Sorry, there are no cute pictures to attach to this post! This week I had surgery to remove my gallbladder. I was shocked to find out that surgery was the solution to the bizarre stomach pains I had been experiencing this year. My stomach issues began last spring when I had several painful attacks where it felt like I was in labor. I had intense abdominal pain that lasted for 30 minutes or so and it was so bad that I thought that at times I might pass out from the pain. Around this time the Millers had returned from a trip to Alabama and complained that they had a touch of a stomach bug there, so I figured it was just a strange virus. But in December I had several of these episodes again. Some at home, one while driving, and another in the middle of a church service! There was not rhyme or reason why they occured, they just started and would go on for minutes or hours and then I would magically be cured! I decided to go see my doctor because it was clear that it was not a virus and that something was really wrong with me. I had labs done and was sent to the hospital for an ultrasound. The same day I received my diagnoses-gallstones! Gallstones are not like kidney stones, they don't just pass. Once produced, my body would always produce them and if they escape my gallbladder I could risk infection of my pancreas. So, my gallbaldder had to go! As far as the surgery, everything went well. I went in to the hospital at 6am and we left by 11:30 am. Both pastors from my church visted me to wish me well and my parents took charge and watched both our children and the puppies for the weekend. I have four incisions in my abdomoinal area. The kids are so interested in seeing my "boo boos"! I still am very sore but can walk around. I have only been on a liquid diet until tonight. And of course, now my stomach is not happy with me! It will take some time for my digestive system to get back to normal. So I guess tomorrow I'm back to liquids only! I plan to go back to work on Tuesday, but I may request an extra day if my stomach doesn't settle down over the next few days. I have also not been sleeping well so I would like to have at least one good night's sleep before returning to work. I have not been waking up in pain like other gallbadder patients have claimed, I have just been waking up every hour. I should be happy that I'm not screaming out in pain like others, but I am very tired and it doesn't take much to wear me out. I will keep everyone posted on my recovery and the changes that may come from this new lifesyle without a gallbladder!

Happy New Year and Happy Birthday Sophia!

Sophia turned 3 on December 28th and we had an Asian Appetizer Hello Kitty party in her honor. She had been practicing blowing out the candles for a week and did it perfectly! I loved how she smiled the whole time that we sang the birthday song to her and didn't shy away like I always did! She got lots of girly presents and Hello Kitty themed gear. Since Christmas and her birthday she has been dressed up as a princess every day. She now wears necklaces, rings, purses, and princess gowns all day long and to bed! We all knew that she liked girly things, now she has the accessories to be a happy happy girl! Happy Birthday to my sweet sweet baby and Happy New Year to everyone!