December 1st

H O P E

Today was "doctor day" ...... I was a basket case - which is putting it mildly. Fortunately Warren came and literally and figuratively held my hand. The surgeon was young....... my god he didn't look old enough to be out of high school.... and for the life of me I can't pronounce his name. So he is just "Dr. Gerry Poly"

Everything went along fine till he said 'no surgery til the new year - January or February' Then the dam broke. I could barely get the words out "how am I supposed to stay on this fasting diet till THEN???!!" and I thought how can I live with the fear this damn thing is going to rupture???!!!

He tried to be reassuring - telling me to eat what I wanted - just no greasy fatty foods. But I was still scared. He went out and came back - saying he had seen my blood tests that were done 6 weeks ago and they showed no liver involvement.. in fact they looked pretty good. (Different story than what I got at the clinic - where they made me feel I should be operated on immediately)

Then to be really on the safe side he sent me off for an ultra sound. I figured they would send me away - with an appointment but nope .. they had me sit and drink water and within 30 minutes they had called me to have it done.

The doctor that came in to read the results was even more reassuring. She told me my kidneys, liver, spleen and pancreas looked excellent !! No stones in the bile ducts. BUT yes my gall bladder was definitely filled with stones and was - in her words - a chronic problem. BUT not acute. She patted my hand and told me to have the surgery in January or February and enjoy my holidays. I brought up the diet and she poohed poohed it... telling me to eat red meat.. eat anything I wanted - in moderation - just no greasy foods.

I left the hospital feeling so much more confident.. relieved.. even a little excited. I had a hamburger for lunch - with ONIONS - and didn't even have a twinge. The worry has lessened.... and Christmas is once again an exciting event to plan for.

Warren took me shopping for Christmas presents and miscellaneous "stuff" I just have to have for the holidays....... He even bought me the most gorgeous......... biggest...... poinsettia I have ever seen !!!! As well as a Tim Horton's Christmas mug for being such a "good girl" at the hospital !!

So.......... In the spirit of Hope and all things Christmas I have changed the look of the blog a wee bit ........ and am hoping to post (as in past years) one post every day through the month of December.