I am going to start this blog post by saying; it is not about what you think! There hasn’t been a death in the family or a great loss (well maybe that). This blog is actually about my gallbladder (lol…yes you can laugh!!!). It is official gone, but will not be easily forgotten (no I am not on pain meds, just trying to find a little humor in the situation)!

Unfortunately, I had to have my gallbladder removed on Thursday. While I know some see the removal of the gallbladder as somewhat controversial, but I didn’t have much of a choice. After feeling like crude and unable to function (and eat) for several weeks, my doctor decided to run some test. Initially I had a CT scan and a gallbladder ultrasound. Those tests came back normal and everything checked out! My doctor was a little puzzled because I was still having severe symptoms (pointing to a gallbladder problem). The doctor decided to run one final test, a Hida Scan! I will preface this by saying, I don’t care if I ever have one of those test run ever again!! Having to lie perfectly still for 2 hours with my arms over my head is not my idea of fun. Honestly, I almost cancelled the test. Boy I am glad I didn’t. The test showed an extremely sluggish gallbladder, which was headed to permanently not functioning!

So this past week, I packed Bug (my daughter) up and shipped her off to my parent’s house and off to the hospital (my husband and I went). The surgery itself was not bad. What I struggled with was the anesthesia. My history of with anesthesia hasn’t been entirely positive. After surgery, I usually stand up to leave the hospital and pass out in the floor. My husband always jokes that a wheelchair needs to be close by (believe me he is right!). I am proud to say, I didn’t pass out this time! However, I did spend more than 4 hours waking up (ugh!). I felt like I was the last person in the holding area. My nurse assured me it was fine and I would leave when I was ready. The little kid next to me popped up like it was nothing and was ready to go in 30 minutes! Got to love kids and how quickly they bounce back.

Bug has been so sweet during my recovery period (which I am soooo grateful for!). She knows she has to be careful around my stomach, so she just walks up to me and pats my arm. She is also quick to question whether I should be doing something (who is the parent again?). Bug is also fascinated with my incisions. She has to count them every morning! I finally told her this morning that I had the same number of incisions as yesterday. She said, “I know, I just really want to see them”.

I am grateful for all the help I have had over the last 5 days. People have brought food and helped with Bug. I think any mom will agree with me, when I say, it is not good when mommy is down. I know our house doesn’t function quite as well!

I know I have a lifetime of changes ahead of me! From everything that I have heard and read, I know my body is going to go through a huge adjustment period. My body will adjust for not having a gallbladder, but will always know it is missing (yippee…I am super excited…not!). Hence the blog title, “Gone, but Not Forgotten”. I know I am going to have to make several dietary changes, but feel confident I have made the right decision.

I just know one thing; my family is ready for mommy to be back to 100 percent! My husband has done a great job keeping the house running. I just think he is ready for me to take over my job again. Give me a few more nights of sleep and I will be good as new! A mom can only dream right?!?!