Operation Whitney & The Gallbladder Diaries

My sister Kyleigh just called and said, "You haven't blogged in a month. Write a list of things that make you feel warm and fuzzy." Well, you aren't going to get that list right now, but you'll get a post. Is that okay Ky? :)

Anyway, I feel like I have been moving in fast forward and often think about posting a blog, but once at home I get wrapped up in other things. I feel like I have so much to catch you up on from horseback riding in the woods, renting a cabin with friends, girls' night out, Thanksgiving...and "Operation Whitney." No, I am not going to war, but I am getting operating on. I have a surgery this Friday and I am a bit freaked out by it all. I have to get my gallbladder taken out because it is causing problems. I've been keeping my friends updated with what I call, "The Gallbladder Diaries" but have neglected writing them down! So here goes the Cliff Notes version...

It all started a few months ago, with what I know now, a gallbladder attack. A gallbladder is one of the most painful and uncomfortable things I have ever experienced. It is completely debilitating and I never know how long it will last. The first one lasted for about three hours and was incredibly painful. It feels like an awful, dull pain right where my ribs meet. That night I tossed and turned and eventually the pain went away. I should have thought about going to the doctor then, but since it was just one night, I somewhat forgot about it...until the next attack. The next attack struck while I was driving. I was in instant pain and thought I might pass out or get sick. I just wanted to get home as soon as possible because I didn't want to be behind the wheel. I broke out into a sweat from the pain and was relieved when it didn't last hours like the one before. Now that I had two attacks, though far apart, I remembered they were very alike. I called to make an appointment with the doctor right away. Before I could get into a doctor, I had a third attack. The third wasn't that bad and John was a witness to it. He thought it was awful. Later when the pain subsided he said, "Wow. That one was really bad." I responded, "On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the worst pain, this one just was a 3."

After having a few conversations with people, including my other sister Courtney who works in medicine, I was pretty sure I had gallstones. My doctor agreed and I had to get an ultrasound. That was a weird experience because I never thought I would get one unless I was pregnant, but it was neat to see some of my organs. A few days later I found out that I have a gallstone. One gallstone. One stinkin' gallstone causing all these problems. The attacks occur when the stone gets stuck in the duct going down to to my digestive system and I get relief when it becomes dislodged. I was told surgery is the only option because my gallbladder is bad. My doctor also told me "Everyday is a gamble with my situation" and I could wind up in the ER so fast if my body tried to pass the stone. He gave me some scenario about how I could be out on a Saturday night and then BAM, attack...followed by a trip to the ER, and if I am lucky, a planned surgery...if I am not, an emergency one. Gallstones are nothing like kidney stones. I can't pass the stone or just get it removed. The fact that I have a gallstone means that I have a "bad" gallbladder. The organ isn't functioning well and allowed a stone to be created. At least the gallbladder is an organ one can live without! After coming out, it shouldn't affect me too much, but we will have to see.

I am sure you all know much more about my gallbladder (and maybe even yours) than you ever thought you would know. Be thankful for your hard-working, attack-free gallbladder! Maybe I will blog from my recovery bed? I will be relieved once this is all over.