Posted on 03/27/2019 10:53:53 PM PDT by Romans Nine
Well started the day out like usual. Got up, got dressed, went to the dinner table, wife brought me over fresh cooked eggs, bacon, toast and large glass of milk. I ate while reading GD.com and Free Republic. Went out to my service truck and something felt a little “off”. I went back inside and the pain hit me like a freight train. Sever abdominal/chest pain. Worst pain I’ve ever felt. I’ve had my eye cut open, kidney stones, fell on a tee post that went deep enough to hit a lung, had a rifle cartridge breech the case in my face, smashed my hand in a road reclaimer tiller, broken my sternum and three ribs but none of that compares to this pain. Wife put me in the car and headed to the hospital. I broke out in a cold sweat and the pain was causing me to almost loss consciousness. We made it to the second town about 20 miles and my wife spotted a Sheriffs deputy and flagged him down. He gave us an escort up the highway until we met with an ambulance. The EMT’s assessed me enough to know it wasn’t my heart because if it had been they would have called in the life flight.
On the way in the ambulance they gave me a shot of Fentanyl. When we arrived at the ER they took me in and within 20 minutes I saw a doctor. At some point they gave me another dose of Fentanyl, took blood for lab work and that Fentanyl sent me into la la land. Doctor oredered an ultrasound and I received that within 30 minutes. It was not conclusive enough so they ordered a Cat Scan and I had that done within another 45 minutes.
Sometime after the Cat Scan the Fentanyl wore off and my pain started to come on hard. My wife told them that the Fentanyl made me delirious so they gave me Morphine. Ah now that was much better. No brain fog and no pain.
I asked the radiologist what she could see since I knew she knows what she’s looking at. She told me that I would not be going home tonight.
Back in the room the doctor came in and told me I have an infected gallbladder full of stones and she would be doing surgery either tonight or in the morning first thing. All of that happened within 6 hours of arriving at the ER. So I got moved to a room, they have me on an IV and are putting antibiotics through me. In 7 hours from this post I’m going in for surgery to remove my gallbladder.
I have read the horror stories on here about the ER wait and hospital care a lot of you have dealt with and let me tell you every single nurse, assistant and doctor here have been fabulous to interact with. After I finish this post I’m composing a letter to send to the administrator about just how good they have treated me and my wife. The surgeon is a woman from India and she was so personable and explained everything and every contingency there was.
I guess most people start having pain more gradually with gallbladder stones but mine has many stones and is infected. The only thing that felt unusual to me over the last few weeks has been an unusually sore back.
So anybody else surrendered your gallbladder to science? What was your experience? They claim I might have some digestive track problems adjusting to the loss of my gallbladder.
By the way, I’m 46 years old, generally healthy, not overweight and do not take any prescription drugs.
Sending best wishes to you for a speedy recovery and good health from eastern Nebraska.
My wife’s gall bladder attack was sudden and very painful. The operation was a breeze except they didn’t keep her blood sugar up.
I have had an attack, but no removal...yet.
Same here, been years, no greasy food, no problems.
My Internist, of many years, said, in the event of an attack, do not call him!
My gastro guy said no problem and his own father made the came choice.
If it works don’t fix it!
On many occasions, my wife and I would eat at restaurants and she would leave the restaurant feeling sick and convinced it was food poisoning. It kind of became comical.
Once she was in extreme pain and went to the ER and they found nothing and discounted her discomfort as indigestion. Over time, using her internet sleuthing skills she began to suspect her gall bladder and tests confirmed stones. She had it removed and hasn’t had any trouble yet.
While waiting for her surgery, I asked the surgeon if there was anything he could do to reduce her irritability and he asked me to leave the room.
Last time I had an attack was about 12 years ago. We went to an all inclusive family resort. All you could eat. I definitely overate. Spent 2 days in bed in agony eating ginger ale and saltine crackers. I will never go on a cruise. I know 2 people who had to be airlifted.
Well surgery went well.
Three small incisions.
In and out of operating room in 1 hour 15 minutes.
Already been up walking around, ate a full meal and I have no pain, just a little sore and a shoulder ache.
All praise and glory to My Savior the Lord Jesus Christ!
Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers!
I don’t miss mine at all. Agree about the pain — worse than childbirth or kidney stones.
My only warnings: sometimes it takes awhile to get your diet adjusted, because you may have some digestive issues going forward. You need to find the right diet for you. For me, it has been majority fruits, vegetables and lean meats — plenty of fiber; and cut back or eliminate fried foods, sweets and alcohol. Wean off. You’ll feel better.
Also, some people experience another, milder “attack” months or a year after the original, due to some gallstone “gravel” still lurking in the duct. Because the gall bladder has already been removed, a sufferer might think it’s a heart attack; so if it happens to you, don’t rule out either possibiity until you get a good—and rapid—diagnosis.
LOL!!
Praise the Lord! Glad for you! Take it easy for a couple of days, tho.
Romans Nine is out of surgery and has updated at post 67!
Praise God!
Praise God!
God is good.
Thank you for the information. I’ll check it out.
Happy to hear! You’ll feel so much better now
Just watch for fried/fatty foods
Happy healing ;)
Thanks for the good news. There was a time in the not too distant past when your surgery would be considered a miracle.
Glad you’re OK. Get better quick.
Hale
I am happy to hear this. My prayers for your fast recovery.
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