Almost 1 month later

I had my post surgery consult with the surgeon today. She told me the results of the surgery. There was a gallstone stuck at the top of the bile duct. She tried to push it back into the gallbladder so that she can sever that duct, but the stone wouldn't move, so she had to snip below it. She said if she left that gallstone there, there would be the same pain, so she had no choice but to cut below that. Imagine that!

She said my gallbladder was a wreck. It was very mucousy where a normal gallbladder should be clear. They also found the 2cm gallstone. I hope they ran over it with a truck.

She also mentioned another patient swore by the Liver Flushes. This patient also froze it because otherwise it would have dissolved. My surgeon's answer to that was because it was oil, not stones. So whatever you can take from that synopsis, so be it it!

So that's it!

I guess this will be my last post since I really don't have any more problems. If anything does arise, I will be sure to post something for you all.

I hope this little blog of the last 2 years of my life helps you. I can't tell you what to do, but can only share my experience. And that this was a positive experience.

2 weeks and 2 days later

Ok really, I can't complain. I was bracing myself for the worst for the past 3 months. All I read everywhere was that people would be living on the toilet. I hummed and hawed for 2 years. I tried everything BUT the surgery. So the last attempt WAS the surgery and you know what, it's fine. Maybe I'm one of the lucky few.

Remember that those who posts on forums are going through something. Those that have successful surgeries can't be bothered, so yes, you are bound to read only NEGATIVE comments. That is the reason for this blog. I was hoping to give an account of something positive.

There's nothing I would have changed the last 2 years. Did I wish I got this done sooner? No. Because the events in the last 2 years is what brought me to this place. I know that it was a good decision for myself because I've exhausted all other possibilities.

Some Food Facts
I felt adventurous again (and I never was, though I made sure these adventures were always at home) and decided try stuff to see what would happen:

McDonalds
Result: this time I felt fine

Mr. Greek (didn't have breakfast)
Result: money down the toilet

Taco Bell (first time in over 5 years)
Result: felt fine. HUH?

Chinese take out
Result - lots of money down the toilet

McCain's Frozen Chocolate Cake!
Result - YUM

Chicken Wings - Fine

Summary:
I noticed I felt sicker if I starved myself in the morning and didn't eat until after 12:00 pm. So you should really eat something for breakfast, even something small.

I took off all bandages. The scars look like little cuts. Like I was cut by an exacto knife. That's it. Nothing more.

I will be seeing my Surgeon in about a week and a half for the post followup results (can you believe I still have no clue as to what the hell went on during this surgery). Will keep you posted.

1 week and 2 days later

So far, nothing to complain about! Events this week:

- Took off the steri-strips. I went to the drug store and bought new ones. The ones made by 3M. They are about 8 bucks for a pack. Good to have in your stash. I put them back on the scars.

- I don't remember if I mentioned that they said you can't bathe for 4 days. Ya whatever. I did a spongebath because there's no way I would survive that. I taped a plastic bag to my stomach and did it that way.

- One morning I woke up at an ungodly hour of 4:30 am and couldn't go back to bed. I made the mistake of eating left over Quiche at 6am (which didn't affect me whatsoever the night before). But at about 8 am, I was overcome with the worst nausea I've ever experienced. I went back to bed until 11 am and felt better.

- I was feeling adventurous the next day and decided to go to McDonalds and see what awaits. I ordered a hamburger (the small one for kids). BAD IDEA. Bad stomach cramps and the money went down the toilet.

- Other than that, nothing else really to report. I've been eating oatmeal for breakfast (the instant kind) and feel pretty good otherwise. The stitches are healing really fast. The only other thing I can complain about is the feeling of someone poking a pencil in and out of your belly button. This is just a feeling and really weird and uncomfortable.

4 Days post surgery

So.... how does the gallbladder removal affect one's digestive issues and running to the toilet?

So far, only one episode. And I totally blame the butter that I put on my toast. That turned my stomach into a gut wrenching tornado for the majority of the day.

Also I learned that I can't overeat. Always leave the table a little hungry. Because my eyes were bigger than my stomach, even too much soup made me IMMEDIATELY want to vomit. It was like "yum, this soup is so good". Next second. "Ok, I gotta lie down, I think I'm going to throw up."

So I'm on Day 4. So far everything is ok. Took the bandages off and the Nurse didn't tell us what do with these steri strips or whatever they are called. I had to call my nurse friend who said to leave them on until they fall off by themselves.

So just now, I had a toast with ham on it. No mayo, no butter, just plain ham. And a coffee. My stomach is rumbling now and I'm starting to not feel too hot. So I'm going to go lie down.

Bottom line. Take at least 1 week off work. From what I'm reading around the forums, everyone heals differently. I was able to go and carry two loads of laundry today. I believe I'm healing pretty fast, but still want the sympathy from hubby so I'm going to pretend that I'm still a little immobile.