Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Friday, June 13, 2008
Broken Belly
My gall bladder is packing it in.
I had an attack, the worst so far, about four weeks ago. It still hurts, to give you an idea of where I'm at right now. I've been popping T3's daily since seeing the doctor, who sent me for an ultrasound - the results of which I got yesterday.
Golf ball sized gallstone, along with several other small gallstones, along with some affectionately named 'sludge'.
(Oh boy, just what everyone wants to hear - that they have sludge inside them.)
He said the decision is up to me (no kidding, it's my body!), but he'd recommend it be removed. The whole thing. He also advised me that if I planned on doing any traveling at any point, that I should strongly consider having it removed first as one of the stones may block a bile duct, resulting in worse infection and possibly requiring emergency surgery.
So, I'm going to grab a second opinion, and then meet with the surgeon hopefully in the next week to discuss the situation. I'm leaning towards having it out, because honestly - I can't live with this discomfort. And over the past three-four years, the discomfort has been growing, and the attacks are more frequent, and it doesn't seem to matter what I eat (or don't eat) - it just isn't working.
Incidentally, there seems to be a strong connection between oral birth control and gall stones. Gall stones are also more common in women. Hmm.
I had an attack, the worst so far, about four weeks ago. It still hurts, to give you an idea of where I'm at right now. I've been popping T3's daily since seeing the doctor, who sent me for an ultrasound - the results of which I got yesterday.
Golf ball sized gallstone, along with several other small gallstones, along with some affectionately named 'sludge'.
(Oh boy, just what everyone wants to hear - that they have sludge inside them.)
He said the decision is up to me (no kidding, it's my body!), but he'd recommend it be removed. The whole thing. He also advised me that if I planned on doing any traveling at any point, that I should strongly consider having it removed first as one of the stones may block a bile duct, resulting in worse infection and possibly requiring emergency surgery.
So, I'm going to grab a second opinion, and then meet with the surgeon hopefully in the next week to discuss the situation. I'm leaning towards having it out, because honestly - I can't live with this discomfort. And over the past three-four years, the discomfort has been growing, and the attacks are more frequent, and it doesn't seem to matter what I eat (or don't eat) - it just isn't working.
Incidentally, there seems to be a strong connection between oral birth control and gall stones. Gall stones are also more common in women. Hmm.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
To the girl with the green shoes.
To the girl with the green shoes:
You ducked into the washroom for a moment of privacy. One of the most difficult phone calls ever - the kind no one wants to receive, especially regarding someone they love. A small, furry friend who was part of your family, your life. Maybe it was just the two of you. I hope not - I hope you can go home tonight and share the burden of your loss with someone else who loved your friend as much as you did.
You kept yourself composed. You were so kind to the person on the other end of the line, who had to deliver heartbreaking news. Yes, you'd seen it coming. Yes, the symptoms were all there. But it doesn't change the fact that, suddenly, your friend won't be there when you get home tonight.
You ran away when you realized I was there. I was sorry to have startled you, and I wish I could have given you a big hug. I don't know who you were, but I probably know you. I hope you weren't embarrassed.
To the girl with the green shoes: I'm sorry you lost a friend.
You ducked into the washroom for a moment of privacy. One of the most difficult phone calls ever - the kind no one wants to receive, especially regarding someone they love. A small, furry friend who was part of your family, your life. Maybe it was just the two of you. I hope not - I hope you can go home tonight and share the burden of your loss with someone else who loved your friend as much as you did.
You kept yourself composed. You were so kind to the person on the other end of the line, who had to deliver heartbreaking news. Yes, you'd seen it coming. Yes, the symptoms were all there. But it doesn't change the fact that, suddenly, your friend won't be there when you get home tonight.
You ran away when you realized I was there. I was sorry to have startled you, and I wish I could have given you a big hug. I don't know who you were, but I probably know you. I hope you weren't embarrassed.
To the girl with the green shoes: I'm sorry you lost a friend.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Welcome to Almost Thirty.
I had a birthday, one week ago Thursday.
When I was little, birthdays usually ended up stretched out over the period of a few weeks. There sometimes was a party with one or two friends, a party with family, and then the actual birthday itself (which, if it fell on a weekend, would coincide with the family party).
So I've sort of been accustomed to 'easing into' the new year over a period of a few weeks (this year being 29). It's like buying a new pair of shoes - you have to wear them for a bit, see if they pinch your toes or heels, and bandage accordingly before you can really get comfortable in them.
These shoes, so far, have been rather uncomfortable. My gall bladder, pancreas, and some combination there-of freaked out on me last week - resulting in a radical decision to visit the doctor (which only occurs for me in life or death situations). I'm going for an ultra-sound next week, and frankly, am terrified. I've been in extreme pain for about a week and a half now, save for the T3 the doctor so very kindly prescribed. I love a good legal stone once in awhile, and the codeine is definitely delivering.
On the work front - I thought I was toughening up, but now I'm just feeling beaten down. I hit my lowest point yet the other day. Ever. In my life - at least, lowest work-related low. I'm not really sure what to do, except keep writing. Discomfort - physical, emotional, mental, spiritual - is an incredible motivator to go after what would really make you happy. Biggest lesson thus far in the return of the great ringed giant to my side of the playing field.
I wish I could take a vacation to about 25 years ago. Just for one week.
We bought a new bed, and we sleep well in it. Well, I do, anyway - Philsy is still adjusting I think.
We're going to buy a new couch next week.
Stuff. Is it worth it? Really? I guess a good sleep is.
How many short sentences can I write? Is there a limit? There probably should be.
It's the T3.
Here we go again, tomorrow.
When I was little, birthdays usually ended up stretched out over the period of a few weeks. There sometimes was a party with one or two friends, a party with family, and then the actual birthday itself (which, if it fell on a weekend, would coincide with the family party).
So I've sort of been accustomed to 'easing into' the new year over a period of a few weeks (this year being 29). It's like buying a new pair of shoes - you have to wear them for a bit, see if they pinch your toes or heels, and bandage accordingly before you can really get comfortable in them.
These shoes, so far, have been rather uncomfortable. My gall bladder, pancreas, and some combination there-of freaked out on me last week - resulting in a radical decision to visit the doctor (which only occurs for me in life or death situations). I'm going for an ultra-sound next week, and frankly, am terrified. I've been in extreme pain for about a week and a half now, save for the T3 the doctor so very kindly prescribed. I love a good legal stone once in awhile, and the codeine is definitely delivering.
On the work front - I thought I was toughening up, but now I'm just feeling beaten down. I hit my lowest point yet the other day. Ever. In my life - at least, lowest work-related low. I'm not really sure what to do, except keep writing. Discomfort - physical, emotional, mental, spiritual - is an incredible motivator to go after what would really make you happy. Biggest lesson thus far in the return of the great ringed giant to my side of the playing field.
I wish I could take a vacation to about 25 years ago. Just for one week.
We bought a new bed, and we sleep well in it. Well, I do, anyway - Philsy is still adjusting I think.
We're going to buy a new couch next week.
Stuff. Is it worth it? Really? I guess a good sleep is.
How many short sentences can I write? Is there a limit? There probably should be.
It's the T3.
Here we go again, tomorrow.
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