Surgery Is On. May Challenge Is Postponed (for now).

I've got good news and bad news to share.  More good than bad though, so don't you fret!

The good news is that doctors have finally found the answer to my health issues.  Remember awhile back when I hinted around to having some minor health concerns? 

Well, after two trips to the emergency room, one abdominal ultrasound, one EGD down my throat, one HIDA scan, three urine samples, one hilarious stool sample story, and several collections of bloodwork later, the results are in.... I have biliary dyskinesia which is just a fancy term that means my gallbladder isn't functioning properly and needs to come out. 

In fact, that weak, little organ of mine is operating at only 10% right now.  Cue orchestra!  Listen to the big crescendo coming! 

Yes..... It's all making sense now.... the chronic stomach "bugs" since last year, the diarrhea every month, the feelings of nausea, the random, sudden urges to vomit.   It wasn't food poisoning.  It wasn't something viral I caught from visiting my daughter's day care.  Plus, we already established I wasn't pregnant on three different occasions either.  Nope, this whole time it has been that pesky gallbladder sucking the life out of me instead. 

My gallbladder decided it doesn't give a monkey's uncle or a rat's ass about me anymore.  He's on strike.  He's on the sidelines now yelling something about unfair, long working hours, without overtime pay. 

The bad news, unfortunate news, is that Gall-ey B (a.k.a. my galll bladder) is going down!  Gall-ey B will be gone from my life!  As soon as I find a reliable surgeon, I'm scheduling the surgery to remove him.  The good for nothing bastard.

The other sad thing is that alternative, "natural" options aren't really for me.  My family doctor who has no investment or boat payments to make if I have the surgery or not told me plain and simple, "No amount of herbs or changes to (my) diet will make (your) gall bladder function any better, not in any reasonable amount of time where (you) can be comfortable."  

At least he gave it to me straight!  And my pain has gotten worse.  As I sit here and type this post, the throbbing and aching is continual in my abdomen, upper shoulder blade and back (a common side effect for gall bladder problems).  Since Saturday, I am bloated and unusually full after every meal I consume, even something simple like nibbling on my Triscuit reduced fat crackers.  I am not hungry or I'm extremely ravishing.  My food doesn't even taste good to me anymore.  I HATE THIS! 

But hey, back to the good news!  Gall bladder removal is a fairly simple, routine procedure using a laparoscope.  It's one of the most common surgeries and requires no overnight hospital stay.  I've talked to a half dozen friends who've had it, all of which had no side effects or regrets since having their gallbladders ripped out. 

So, I'm optimistic for the most part.  I'm happy to have some answers after an exhausting couple of months.  Actually this has been going on for over a year now.  When I think back to all my cases of vomitting and diarrhea, I've been dealing with this for almost eighteen months now.  So it is a relief to know the cause and not feel like I'm crazy or should be on the television show, "Mystery Diagnosis."

The good news is that I'm ready to feel better again and make plans for the future.  It's hard to plan ahead when you never know how you'll be feeling.  I'm happy to see light at the end of the tunnel and not feel like a train will be waiting for me. 

Of course the bad news again is that my gallbladder ruined my fun plans for Mother's Day weekend.  I was ready, set, about to go on another trip to Louisiana to see family and friends.  I was scheduled to attend a wedding, see my mom for her 60th birthday and sing happy third birthday to my nephew at his party.  But, No! 

I was ready to show off the new dress and cute heels I bought.  I wanted to hug old friends I haven't seen in over a year.  I was ready to do some dancing and show off the twenty pounds I lost this past six months!  But, No! 

Alas, it wasn't meant to be...  My doctor has advised me it that I should not travel far from home, given my condition.  And I hate to say it, but he's right.  I don't feel up to doing those things even though I want to, very badly in fact!

The good news is that I can always do those things later.... well, except for attend that wedding and the birthday party.  But I can do the rest when I'm feeling 100%, not 10% like how I feel now. 

The bad news is that with all this going on -- doctors visits, surgery and resting, I really can't dedicate the month of May to do my "Find Roots, Plant Seeds" challenge that I just told you about.  I can't spend days and hours researching the history of my community and planting seeds to make a real home here.  I probably shouldn't be doing much manual labor in my garden either.  Not with my current stomach and back pain.   So I'm afraid that I have to cancel my May monthly challenge since I just can't give it my all like I hoped for. 

Good news, though -- I can try to do it in June instead.  Or later in the year!  What's the harm in postponing it for a month or two when I can go full force with it?  And with a lighter stomach and no more gas either?  Won't the Pensacola historians and professors be thankful for that when I meet with them?  Wink, wink!  

I mean, it's my challenge, my blog.  These are health circumstances beyond my control.  I shouldn't feel guilty over it.  In fact, when you think about it.... I'm practically a renaissance woman already!  After all, in March, I ran my first ever 5k race and received fourth place in my age category, with a barely functioning gallbladder!  Take that Gall-ey B and fitness skeptics!

And let's face it, my bad news isn't even bad news....  With all the problems in the world and the people who are truly suffering, my little rebellious gallbladder is such a minor concern.  He'll move on to a better place very soon and so will I. 

Let's tip our hats and beer glasses to that, shall we? ---  To moving on to a better place, to having good news and to feeling healthy again! 

Hmm, maybe a glass of beer isn't the photo of health.... but oh well, you get the point!  

I'll be around somewhat but I'll be absent a lot this month too.  I just want to relax and stay comfortable until I have the surgery.  Thanks to all of you who have written me or sent me healthy wishes so far.  It means more to me than you know!   Cheers!