Missing An Organ Ain't So Bad

I have one question? Why did God give us gallbladders if so many of them have to be removed? Is it just because as Americans we don't eat healthy and as a result we have marbles of hardened cholesterol floating around in there? I don't know, but I'm happy to be rid of that nemesis.

So, I survived my first "real" surgery. Other than having my baby tubes clamped (for which I was already in the hospital) I've never been cut. For wisdom teeth, I was given anesthesia. For my endoscopy, I was awake, but I don't remember. So, for me, this was a first time. I had four incisions--one in the belly button and 3 to the right of it. They call it a "Lap Chole" which is short for Laparoscopic Cholesystectomy.

I've had several friends and acquaintances tell me "it's no big deal." I agree, partially. Compared to a hysterectomy.....my "ectomy" was nothin'. Hernia surgery....well, no staples were clamped in my belly, so, you know, piece 'o' cake, right? Wrong....I'm a bit of a wuss when it comes to pain and day 1 was painful. Day 2 hurt worse! Day 3 was a little better. It's steadily gotten a little less uncomfortable everyday. The CO2 they fill you with is what is so uncomfortable. It is so hard to breathe for the first few days. All that air is trapped in your chest cavity and shoulders. They don't prepare you for that. I was very short on breath and could not talk well because of it. So, if you have a "lap" procedure done, don't say I didn't warn you.

I'm still a little nervous around gluten, I will admit. All my test have come back okay, but my tummy still hurts when I eat, so I'm just gonna watch it. Not gonna be gluten-free if I don't have to be, but I just want to feel better.

I really want to thank everyone for the prayers and well wishes. I have some wonderful friends.

Now, I'm almost back to normal. For the record, ask your doctor to go ahead and give you a script for laxative if you are taking Percocet. Just sayin'.

Back To The Drawing Board

Many of you know I have been dealing with stomach issues for several years now. I started eating gluten free about 2 1/2 years ago and that seemed to help.

I have had several different tests done to figure out what the problem is and isn't. It's been very frustrating because nothing has come back conslusive. I feel sometimes like I'm crazy or that I'm a hypochondriac.

Well, a few weeks ago, my symptoms started again. This time, it didn't matter what I ate. My insides literally felt as though they were burning up. Literally, burning in acid. I like to be descriptive, as you can tell. This wasn't just a "tummy ache". This was pain as close to child birth as anything I have ever experienced.

So, I went back to the doctor again. This time it was a new doctor that came recommended by several friends. She sent me for some blood work and an ultrasound. My bloodwork came back very good. She even did a blood test for Celiac disease. NEGATIVE!!!!!!! Eating wheat still bothers me, but I now know the problem is stemming from something else completely.

I had my ultrasound yesterday and saw a lovely picture of my gallbladder. This is not my gallbladder, but this is kind of what it looked like:

See those cute little round things? Yeah. That's what has been causing me such pain. Gallstones. I'm still waiting to hear from my doctor about what we are going to do, but let me tell you how much I want a big old SANDWICH right now! Bring on the wheat!

By the way, this is what a normal gallbladder looks like:

While I can't get the last 3 years of my life back, I'm just glad that I'm not crazy and am finally going to get some relief.

It's The Little Things

The past few days have been so precious to me. I have spent time with my two daughters just being, well, girls.

Eric, his dad, Michael and our BIL took their annual trip to Marathon in the Florida Keys. They have been extremely successful in their hunt for lobster this year. Eighty-six so far!!! Tomorrow is another day.....hope for 100+!

So, me and the girls have done some bonding. After not having them at home for 3 weeks, I was in need of some alone time with them.

Thursday night we started with the routine trip to Chuck E. Cheese (CEC). We had a blast. I took them to Perkins for dinner and we had breakfast. Lauren got this French Toast Tower that looked super yummy! Then we went back to CEC and closed the place down. The manager even let them pick out something that was more that their tickets. She also gave us some cotton candy "on the house".

Lauren and Emmy both wanted to sleep in bed with me and I, of course, said......"ABSOLUTELY!" Slumber party!!!! So, I had one girl on each side of me. It was so special. They woke up in the morning and thought I was still sleeping and I opened my eyes to them giving each other a good morning kiss. Precious. I love it when they get along. It was unbeknownst to them what I had in store for this day.....

CALYPSO BAY Waterpark! We had such an incredible time! Waterslides, lazy river, water playground, yummy hot dogs and wonderful weather. The girls were so surprised and they surprised me, too! Both of them wanted to go on the big slides. Lauren and Emmy both have been terrified of water until about 3 weeks ago. They have taken swim lessons and now both of them are like little fish. I am so proud of them!

The next day we went to visit my mom and dad in their Boca house for the last time. They finally sold it and are going to be permanently living in Murphy, NC. I have never seen that house empty before. It actually echoed when we walked in. Very surreal. I am excited for them. It's a burden lifted for sure. This housing market has put a hurting on a lot of homeowners--my parents included.

We came home that night and had a chic-flic night on the couch. We watched Barbie: A Mermaid Tale. A perfect end to a perfect few days with my favorite girls on the planet.

This time with them made me realize how quickly they are growing up and if I don't take the time to spend with them now, I may not ever get it. In a few years, they will have their own friends and agendas and I don't want to look back with regrets, wishing I had taken the time while they were young. I have had many friends tell me I will miss this special time when they are older. I think I get it now.

My New Bodyguard

Okay, seriously? If my home is ever broken into, and I find an intruder in my bed, I want this dude on my side.....FO' SHO!