Stones

 

Since I like to keep things interesting once a year around this time, I thought stones would be a great thing for 2011!

Two weeks I went to the doctor after yet another restless night of tossing and turning in my bed from constant stomach pains.  She told me I was going to have to have an ultrasound done--I'm sure my parents were excited about going to an ultrasound for the alien baby inside of me. 

After about two hours of waiting around for the hospital to call we found out that no, it was not an alien baby but instead a very large gallstone that was causing me all this pain.  How big was it?  1.7cm.  To give you a better idea....about the size of a large steely marble...

 

That's right, the big one in the center.  

So last Tuesday, I talked the surgeon about the procedure that would be done.  He told me that they were going to remove the gallbladder and the stone as well.  Yipee!

Unfortunately, I also had to tell me about past surgeries I have had...that meant telling him all about the toothpick incident. 

What does he say?  

"So Amber...the problem seems to be when you put things into your mouth."  Straight faced.

"Yes...it does seem to be the problem...thanks for the diagnosis."  

So on Friday, the 22nd after waiting for nearly 2 hours in the prep room, I was wheeled into the surgical room. It was freezing!  They gave me some blankets that felt like they had just been taken out of the dryer and then I was OUT!  Anesthesia is amazing.  I woke up and immediately asked if they got it all out...yep they got that pesky gallbladder and stone out.  Along with finding that I actually had 5-6 other stones in there!!! As my friend Val said, "Wow! Good thing they took out that gravel pit!"

After a short of morphine and some other drugs to take off the edge, I was able to go home that very same day.  SORE as heck for Easter weekend but luckily I was not sick! 

Right now I have what looks like four knife wounds on my stomach.  Today they are sealed up and still healing.  

I can't wait for 2012's exciting medical procedure!