Recovering from Gallbladder Surgery

Well I got the surgeon consult moved up to the 21st. The surgeon did a good job of going over all the risks, and possible complications of surgery. After discussing my symptoms and the fact that I was taking percocet or loritab several times a day he squeezed me into his Friday schedule. This was both relief and anxiety. Relief that I may finally be out of pain but anxiety that I would likely miss a birth or possibly two (I did miss one) and less time for us to gather the necessary funds to pay for the procedure.
So blood work and nothing by mouth after midnight and we headed to the hospital early Friday morning, much earlier than I'm used to getting up! Nathan dropped me off so I could get prepped then he took the kids up to Anna's. I tell ya' that girl is a life saver. We are so greatful she agreed to take the kids. I really needed Nathan after the surgery even in the hospital.
I still haven't talked to the surgeon, though Nathan did while I was still under. Everything went fine, the stones are huge and they had to enlarge one incision just to get them out.
Recovery has been harder than expected. Today is day 8 since the surgery and I'm still struggling. My abdominal muscles don't ache any longer and I can sit up on my own again, but I'm still weak and tired. I've nearly passed out twice, both times when I was on my feet for more than 5 mins. I struggle with anemia most of the time and I've chaulked it up to that, but in looking around the web it seems that a good deal of people have that drugged out, worn down, ran over feeling for several weeks to months after the surgery. None the less, I'm still working on building up my blood through floradix, grape juice, spinach and dark chocolate. I also had some fluid build up around the navel incision, it's gone down, though not all the way. It's also hard and where I have the most pain. All the incision sites itch now and I can't wait to remove the surgi strips.
Here is an interesting computer generated video of a Cholecystectomy


I still haven't had a cheeseburger, but I've had lots of cheese :)

Gallbladder

Well I did the cleanse, twice and then had another ultrasound. The "twins" are still there and they're trying to make more friends. Not what I was hoping to hear. The ultrasound showed no change in the stones, but now there is sludge visible and the common bile duct has enlarged. The surgeon consult is scheduled for July 28. Surgery will likely be 2wks after that. At least all the mamas due should have their babies by then.

I've lost 20lbs in the last month. Food has become the enemy. I'm in pain pretty much non-stop but it's worse if I eat. No it doesn't matter what I eat anymore. Fatty foods put the pain level through the roof, but just eating oatmeal gets it going too. So I'm not really eating, when I do eat I try to make it protein so I at least have some energy. This has been very difficult for me, I'm starving all the time, I can't sleep without drugs, I have no energy because I'm not eating and not sleeping. It even hurts to hold my kids, the slightest pressure on my stomach is excruciating. I'm taking percocet on a daily basis now. I hate taking pain medications. It makes me feel weak.

The depression set in today, the tears have been rolling all day long. I've been waiting for it, I knew it would come, it always does when I feel I don't have control of life. I'm trying hard to lean on God, but it's been difficult. This is such a physical thing and I've begged and begged for Him to relieve my pain. He hasn't and I suppose there is some reason for that, it'd help if I knew what it was.

The best thing about all of this is my kids prayers. I love hearing my babies pray for me. It warms my heart like nothing else.

I really want a cheeseburger, with bacon, and extra mayo.