I know it has been a while since my last post. Things have
been just humming along nicely. I am still totally in love with my job, I am
playing bass and singing again in the Mojave Moon Band, and I’m continuing to
widen my quilting horizons. My CA-125 continues to be normal and life has been
amazing.
However over the past year I had developed a gallstone and I
had been having occasional symptoms. I felt burning pain in my mid chest,
radiating to my back. Sometimes it would keep me up all night. It was extremely
painful. In the week before Wed Oct 18 I had two such bouts. On Wed Oct 18 I
had an exceptionally severe one and I was in pain all night. I went to work
Thursday morning to help with the Great American ShakeOut but then left for the
emergency room at St. Mary’s. Lindsay met me there. They did an ultrasound and
found multiple gallstones. There was some concern that the radiologist saw a
shadow on the liver. I had a CT scan with contrast and no stones showed in the
duct. Also the radiologist did not see anything on the liver.
The pain continued and they wanted to make sure no stones
had become lodged in the duct. So on Friday I had an MRI. I had been feeling
very sick to my stomach the whole time. Not enough to actually need to throw
up, but severe enough that I could not eat anything. The MRI was horrible. I
was afraid that I would get into that tube and start to throw up and that they
wouldn’t get me out fast enough. I was kind of strapped into a lacy metal
contraption, and along with the tight tube, my claustrophobia reared its ugly
head. There was no way I was going to be able to do it. They were going to send
me back up to the room for meds, but the nurse called Lindsay, who was having
dinner with Betty and Shannon across the street, and she came back. She told me
I had to do it. So she stood outside the tube, holding my hands with my arms
over my head and with that support I made it through. Lindsay saved the day
once again.
It appeared that there were no stones in the duct, so I was
scheduled for surgery the following morning, Sat, at 7am. The surgeon was going
to try to remove the gallbladder the laparoscopic method, however due to my previous
surgery last year that might not have been possible. They might have to do an open surgery which
would be much more invasive. He was also going to look at the liver to
determine if he needed to take a liver biopsy.
They were able to do the laparoscopic method, although the
surgeon said that it was very difficult to do. He said he did not see anything
on the liver so no biopsy was taken. I still had not taken in any food by
mouth. I slept most of Saturday while Betty and Shannon read electronic books.
On Sunday the surgeon came in to take out the drain and I
nearly went through each ceiling on my way through the roof. They said they
would not release me until I could eat. So I significantly reduced the pain
meds and by Sunday night I could eat a few pears. I ate half a piece of French toast
on Monday morning, and then Lindsay brought a 6” Subway tuna sandwich to me for
lunch. I ate about a third of that. And I ate oyster crackers. I was past ready
to come home.
They released me Monday Oct 23 around 5pm. The ride home on
the dirt roads was much easier this time after surgery. Last year’s surgery was
worse by many levels. Tuesday I pretty much rested all day. I read a book.
Wednesday I did a little light housework and then when Shannon came home from
work, we went out to the Saloon so I could practice for an hour. Today I’m
feeling even stronger. I have plans to do more light housework and even some sewing.
We will go out to the Saloon for another hour tonight when Shannon gets home. I
am off work until Monday. I was supposed to be attending a conference that I
had been looking forward to since summer vacation, but I had to cancel that. I’m
disappointed but realize that “life happens”.
I go tomorrow to the surgeon to get the staples out. Then I
know I need to give my body time to heal and revive. I still have to meet with
my primary care doc when he gets all of the results of the tests to determine
if I still need a liver biopsy. Since only one of the three tests indicated a
problem and the surgeon did not see anything I will let that worry rest.
I’m not the kind of person who likes to have visitors when I’m
sick. I kind of insulate myself to concentrate on the task of healing. I’m
grateful for Shannon, Lindsay, and Betty being there and for all of those
friends and family who kept me in there prayers. I know many people wanted to
come by and see me and I really appreciate that concern. Please know that.
Big hugs to you all!
