Gallbladder

I am now minus a gallbladder.  I had surgery yesterday.  I know I should have been more mindful about having surgery in the upcoming days, but after everything I've been through this summer I just couldn't.  It just kind of rolled off of me.  After everything else, how could this compare or be a big deal?  And in all honesty it really hasn't been.  Luckily things went smoothly and thus far have today.

Mom and I left for the hospital a little after 7 am.  It was kind of surreal.  I've spent far too much time in that hospital complex this summer.  At least I was only going to be there for a few hours this time.  I knew where we were going too. It's the same place I had my D and C.  Another lovely memory.

Around 7:30 I was registered and not long after I was called back.  The lady doing my intake was the same one that did my intake when I had my D and C.  Full circle.  They make women give a urine sample to ensure you're not pregnant.  No worries there, but I guess they can't just take my word for it.  We got to all the usual questions and I had to recall the summer.  She was nice but you could tell in her face how uncomfortable she was.  She gave me the gown and said the nurse would be in shortly to start my IV and get more info.  The gown was quite familiar, they only have so many patterns.  I'd worn that pattern several times in June, including the day Madeline was born.  I just gritted my teeth and put it on.  I'd only be in in for a little bit I told myself.

Soon 2 nurses came in, just as promised.  One took more medical history while the other got my IV started.  I never would have thought getting IV would be old hat for me.  The other nurse went over my medical history.  For some reason my cerclage wasn't on there so I added that.  Then she asked when my last menstrual period was.  She put two and two together and said, "It's been a rough year for you, hasn't it?"  I just nodded and said yes.  This whole process was so weird to me.  It felt a bit like it was happening to someone else.  I detached myself so when I talked about what happened with Madeline I wouldn't get upset.

The anesthesiologist came to talk to me and then Mom came back to sit with me until they took me back.  I told her about the intake and having to watch the nurses faces when they put it together.  I appreciate that they are sorry for what happened, but I don't like the pity they look at me with.  Condolences are fine . . . pity gets to me.

Before long they came to get me.  It was all very quick.  Mom gave me a hug and kiss, they wheeled me across the hall and we were in the operating room.  I got onto the table and the anesthesiologist said he was putting something in my IV and I would be out soon.  I don't remember going to sleep at all.  One minute I was on the operating table (the doctor wasn't even in yet) and the next I was in recovery with Mom sitting beside me.

It took me a while to wake up.  That's the way it's always been for me with anesthesia though.  The only negative thing I can say about the whole experience is that I felt rushed to leave recovery and go home.  I wasn't there for more than an hour and the only reason I was there that long was because I was shaking so much and nauseous.  Once my shaking was under control I got dressed and Mom went to get the car.  On the way out I started shaking again so they got me a warmed blanket to wrap around me.  I got to take it home actually.  It kept me from shaking so I was glad.

The initial few hours were the worst.  I think a lot of it was all of the air that was trapped creating pressure.  The worst part is the incision in my belly button.  I think that's where my gallbladder came out.  Plus it's where I bend so that hurts too.  But overall it hasn't been too bad.  The other incisions really aren't that sore.  I've been taking my pain meds though.  I'm one who usually tries to push through the pain, but I figure I'll get better faster if I allow myself this time to rest and recover.  So that's what I'm doing.

I'm so thankful for Adam and my mom.  They're both taking such good care of me.  I feel bad that they've had to take care of me so much this summer, but I appreciate it.  When I was lying on the couch yesterday Adam held a glass of water with a straw for me to drink . . . just like he did in the hospital during my almost 2 week stay.  Too much.  He's really living up to that "in sickness" part of our vows.  The next medical thing is the test on my uterus, but that won't be until I get a period again and who knows when that will be.  Hopefully this is the last big medical thing for the summer.  Goodness knows I'm ready for it to be over.  Bring on Fall.