Well, I didn't think it was possible, but I have survived nearly four days "NPO" or "Without Food." Late this afternoon, I consumed my first meal: orange jello, Chamomile tea, beef broth and apple juice. It's what they call the "clear liquid" diet ... and it was delicious.
Next, I'd like a Root Beer Float.
Late yesterday afternoon, I had the long-awaited ERCP procedure. I can't say I remember much, but this morning, the docs reported that they found "many stones" and "much sludge." In fact, they found so much gooble-dee-gook lodged throughout my biliary system that they highly recommend a gall bladder removal sooner than later. In fact, it looks like I will stay in the hospital, where I can be closely monitored, while I wait for my gall bladder surgery on Monday.
The gall stone/gall bladder issue is actually very good news, even if it's initially a drag. You see, more than likely the gall stones and "sludge" could be the real reasons for the tummy trouble I've been having, the stuff we've here-to-now been attributing to Graft vs. Host Disease. If that's true, after the gall trouble is resolved, no more tummy trouble. I think we'd all agree that one week of acute discomfort beats a lifetime GI distress.
Well, that's all for now ... I'll keep you updated as more news becomes available.
much love,
Katie
Comments (7)
mmm, jello and beef broth. Here's hopin' we'll be toasting a successful gall bladder/ sludge removal with bacon donuts soon.
Posted by Shona | October 18, 2008 7:17 PM
Posted on October 18, 2008 19:17
Katie:
My Mom had her gall bladder removed and proudly displayed her gall stones in a jar for years to come. Let me know when you're ready for that root beer float. Thinking of you and sending lots of love,
Joan
Posted by Joan Saffa | October 18, 2008 8:06 PM
Posted on October 18, 2008 20:06
I agree, beef broth and jello sounds yummy! I've been experimenting with making various soups and am always puzzled by when exactly it transforms from "beef water" to "beef broth."
That's good that the GI troubles may have just been due to the gall stones and the sludge. And your surreal adventures continue, with us cheering the existence of gall stones!
Today we attempted to put up a shower curtain rod. Attempted being the key word. because without a drill, we couldn't get the nails into the wall. Apparently an apartment/flat like ours doesn't come with the means to hang a shower curtain, so we've been having very messy showers for the last couple of weeks, feeling very exposed all the while. We'll try to get a hold of a drill this week. We did succeed in covering up the "decoration" on the bathroom door -- that plastic plaque with a boy peeing, you might have seen it on the blog. Small victories!
Thinking of you, sending much love,
Charlene
Posted by Charlene | October 19, 2008 5:32 AM
Posted on October 19, 2008 05:32
I'm sorry you had to miss your birthday dinner, but once you get your stones and sludge removed, you'll be ready for all the chicken curry you can handle with extra bacon!
Talk soon, Shirley
Posted by Shirley | October 19, 2008 10:50 AM
Posted on October 19, 2008 10:50
Dear Katie,
This is great news for the long run bu a pain in the ass for tje short run. The medical truism of "Hurry up and wait" seems to be hapening to you. I'm sure the time has been dragging as I know that you just love hospitals by this time.
Been thinking about you all day and will be with you tomorrow. Talk with you soon.
Love,
MOM
Posted by Mom | October 19, 2008 4:01 PM
Posted on October 19, 2008 16:01
Seriously, make sure you get to keep some of those stones. They wouldn't let Cath keep any. We begged!!
Good luck, we're thinking about you.
Chris
Posted by Chris Leavell | October 19, 2008 9:41 PM
Posted on October 19, 2008 21:41
Seriously? There are instances where they *don't* let you keep the stones? Don't they count as personal property or something? I mean, damn, you *made* them! (Hmmm, so you are like an oyster with pearls?)
I am thinking of you and frying up some bacon in your honor, on this gray, rainy day in northern Sweden.
much love,
Charlene
Posted by Charlene | October 20, 2008 7:22 AM
Posted on October 20, 2008 07:22