Not the movie. That’s how many stones (at least) were in my gallbladder and it was the most my surgeon had seen in anyone. There are _some_ things I don’t need to be an over achiever on, ya know?

Because of this, the surgery took a bit longer than intended, but in the end it was okay. Apparently there was a bit of distress in the beginning with the application of the anesthesia but they were able to stabilize me and continue. Dr L, Friday morning, even said the stones spilled out of the sack onto the OR floor. Can you just imagine? It’s kinda funny, but laughing hurts so I try not to think about it, too much.

Honestly, though, the pain when I awoke was the worst pain I have ever felt. I mean, I was in a haze when I came-to, but I remember wanting to crawl away from the pain. Of course that makes no sense in the light of reason, but that’s all I could think of at the moment. I also remember the recovery room nurse saying she’d already given me twice the medication (dilaudid) she normally gave anyone else. Whatever, it hurt! And then they expect me to crawl from the gurney to my hospital bed? Were they crazy?

And then there’s the shoulder pain. They kept saying it was gas but I didn’t believe them, it felt more like someone had wrenched my right shoulder out of socket. Turns out the CO2 they put in the abdominal cavity irritates the diaphragm and there’s a nerve that runs up from there to the shoulder. Which explains why taking anything more than a shallow breath hurt like the dickens.

I was on morphine until about 3am Friday and then we went to Percoset. Advantage, of course, was the lack of burning in the IV port (morphine stings!) but otherwise it all seemed to do about the same (not much). I have this funny little breathing “game” I get to do every couple hours when I’m awake to make sure fluid doesn’t settle in my lungs (started running a low-grade fever Thursday night, so watching out for pneumonia). I was finally able to shower today but I think it’ll be another day or two before I’m able to shave my legs, lol.

Food-wise I’m being very careful. I had a horrible tummy-ache after some noodles and carrots in my soup last night, so have stuck to jell-o, juice, crackers and biscuits so far today. Spectrum is taking very good care of me, lots of fetch and carry (poor guy) and the rain outside is contributing to the sleepies.

Tags: gallbladderremoval, gall stones, hospital stay, medication

Allow me to explain.

Well, the first part is easy. Surgery is tomorrow so no food or water after midnight. Thankfully my surgery is scheduled for 11am which, providing it’s not pushed back for any reason, means I should probably be starting sedation around 10 and won’t even care that I’m hungry 🙂

The other part has to do with the surgery, as well. See, at the pre-op yesterday I was given this antibacterial soap that I have to shower with both tonight (already done) and tomorrow morning. And, y’all, I kid you not, it smells exactly like deodorant tampons. Ladies, you know what I’m talking about. (Gents, if you do, I’m sorry.) I’m convinced it’s adding insult to injury, but at least it’s just for now.

The nerves started getting to me as I left the office, today. And the last two nights, with progessively wobbly feelings, did not have me looking forward to tonight. But, you know, I think I’m going to be okay after all. I went over to Spectrum’s for a couple of hours for cuddles and kisses and reassurances that it would all be fine (he’s so sweet to me, and that actually made me a little more wobbly for a moment, but I got it back together) and then when I got home I made some lavendar-chamomile tea to help keep me mellow. That’ll be the last thing I eat or drink until whatever the serve at the hospital tomorrow evening.

I’ll try and post sometime on Friday, after I get home and get settled, but I should be able to tweet once I’m into my room tomorrow night (follow me on twitter, username scrapsolife) since I’ll have my cell-phone with me. Happy thoughts would be greatly appreciated, gang, and I’ll see you on the flip side (less one internal organ).

Tags: gremlins, mogwai, tampons, soap, scents, nerves, surgery

External, that is. I can’t seem to find the little black case that houses my extra SD cards for the digital camera, leaving me with a single 512MB card that’s in there now. It’s more than a little frustrating. I’m fairly certain I haven’t actually lost it, merely misplaced it somewhere in my apartment. To be a bit more specific, I’m pretty sure that if it’s anywhere, it’s somewhere in the Abyss, somewhere buried deep.

Last night, before bed, I checked the usual spots along with several of the more unusual ones and came up empty but with extra dust to make a lovely sneezing symphony before bed. It’s not crucial and I’m sure I could just go out and by more cards, with more memory than what’s missing, for less than it originally cost me, but that’s not the point. I already have them. Somewhere.

Not going to worry too much about it, though, as I can always download the files to the laptop and start fresh as often as needed, don’t even need the transfer cable since Sonja has an SD card reader. Lovely, lovely thing, technology.

Tags: theAbyss, camera, memory cards, losing stuff

For some reason, Spectrum and I decided this weekend would be a good one for scary, spooky, etc. movies. Granted, neither of us are into blood and gore, so we ended up renting Skeleton Key (which Spectrum hadn’t seen, and what started this little odyssey), 1408 (“and the word is… innnnnteresting”), and House on Haunted Hill (the recent remake, which we both remembered liking and being a bit spooked by).

Um, yeah.

I don’t know if I’m just jaded and whatnot or if it was because we didn’t watch them all at night with the lights off or what, but none of them were at all scary and even though Skeleton Key was the most enjoyable one (filed in Drama which was odd but I guess it really is more suspenseful than scary) the other two were incredibly… well, not all that.

But it was a good weekend regardless of the questionable viewing choices and I got a lot done, including all of this week’s comics. Now if I could just get at least 2 articles done and next week’s comics started I won’t have to worry about dropping the ball due to el-surgerio in just a couple days. Pre-Op appointment is tomorrow, more will be revealed, I’m sure.

Tags: movies, Skeleton Key, 1408, House on Haunted Hill, comics, writing, work, pre-op

At least for the first half of the month. With the first 3 articles turned in this evening I’m starting on next week’s comics. As soon as those are finished I expect to be able to get at least the next 2 articles finished before going in for surgery on Thursday. I might even be able to get more done, depending on how productive I can be this weekend.

Went to the grocery store and stocked up after work. Combination of the usual 2 weeks worth of food and extra supplies for post-procedure: fruit smoothies, pudding, soups, jello, etc. All light stuff to give my digestive system a chance to adjust with the minimum (I hope) of tummy upset. Tried one of the fruit-protein smoothies. Oh, god, I hope it was just a matter of it not being cold enough or something because, y’all, it tasted like vomit. Seriously. I’ll give it another shot and maybe try mixing it with sprite or something but if that doesn’t work I’m tossing that particular one. Nasty!!!

But, you know, at least I can supposedly eat normally. Last time I had to recuperate it was my throat surgery, so really no solid anything for quite some time. Still high on anesthesia I was sick at just the thought of popsicles and pudding for a week, I asked V to get me some baby food, figuring at least it wouldn’t be sweet. And for the first day it tasted great. The next day, the super-drugs having worn off, I realized the oh-so-error of my ways. Luckily, a client of ours had a small child and she could use the unopened stuff. The desserts and some veggies were still good, but if I never have to eat pureed turkey dinner, etc. again it will be too soon!

Tags: articles, food, groceries, baby food