This is the first year in I don't know how long that I can remember that we did not travel around to visit the graves of our loved ones who haved passed on. Many of you don't know that I just had my gall bladder taken out last Friday morning. I've been very ill most of the year. Symptoms worsened in March and stayed consistent till the surgeon took it out. At first, my primary care physician diagnosed it as a stomach ulcer. But when symptoms kept reoccurring after two weeks of being on Prilosec, he encouraged me to see a specialist. My specialist first diagnosed me with irritable bowel syndrome. He placed me on two medications to help with peptic ulcer. No more than two days later, I grew very ill and the specialist opted to conduct an upper and lower endoscopy.
Now, preparing for a complete GI endoscopy is about one of the most humiliating experiences you'll ever put yourself through. The day before the procedure is called Purging Day. And you can probably guess what that means. Starting at 2:00 in the afternoon, you begin taking Fleet Saline Laxative. Instructions ask that you three ounces with your favorite juice. It insists that you do not use soda pop. Well, I thought what the hell, it's all going to come out the same place. I decided to be creative. I took 2 ounces of Grape Gatorade and 2 ounces of Sprite and mixed in the 3 ounces of Fleet saline fluid. Let me tell you a secret. Don't ever use Gatorade in this mix because the sodium content of the Gatorade makes the saline mixture taste nasty; and I mean nasty. And another word of advice: Do not hold your infant son while taking this mixture. On the very last gulp, he tried throwing himself out of my arms (which is normal) and I accidentally enhaled some of the mixture. I was in such a state of coughing and dry-heaving that I thought I was a goner for sure.
Within an hour, you take up residency on your toilet. So if you have any qualms about existing in close proximity to the most unclean object in your house, get over it because you are there until midnight! And midnight is no exaggeration.
The endoscopy is the easiest part of the overall procedure. After registering, I changed into the hospital gown, given an IV, and marched into the operating room where I met the specialist who explained the procedure in more detail. The anesthesiaologist gave put me under and before I knew it I was finished. The only discomfort I had was in my throat, because of the scope.
The upper endoscopy showed two areas of inflammation. A biopsy taken of both areas, however, proved normal.
Symptoms changed in April when I woke up at 2:00 am with chest pains that were radiating up into my neck and down my left arm, nausea, and chills. Now, I'm an avid runner so I was leary that I was having a heart attack. So I held out for awhile. I went to the emergency room the next day. Of course, my heart was fine. But it was the attending physician that suggested that I get the specialist to check my gall bladder.
Nearly one month later, after two more gall bladder attacks, an ultrasound (showed nothing abnormal), and a Hadi scan (which caused all my symptoms to be manifested), I had the gall bladder taken out. And what did they find? The lining of the gall bladder was covered in crystalized cholesterol deposits. (These same type of deposits build up inside the gall bladder and create stones.)
I had a laproscopy procedure, in which they make four small incissions-- two on the lower-right abdomen, one in the belly button, and one just below the right rib cage. I was in recovery just over an hour before two nurses got me up from my bed and walked me around the nurses' station. I have to admit that I felt absolutely sore and far far away. From that point on, I recovered in a lounge chair. And I have been sleeping in one here at home because it hurts too much to sleep the conventional way.
One aspect of the recovery that I like is that I must get up and walk every three hours. Though painful, it has been a great opportunity to strectch and get fresh air.
So Memorial Day has been quite different for me and my family this year. And I'm off here in a few minutes to lay down.
I'm going to leave you with a poem I wrote years ago and re-worked it for this year.
Memorial Day
The sky drops
sun then rain then sun--
it's temperamental.
We stand holding clipped roses,
keeping green thoughts,
sharing memories and retelling
experiences with this reverent
tone as if there is something
reverent in each new telling.
We say the sun is shining because
our soul needs the warmth of it,
a reassurance all is well.
We say the sky cries because
we are crying.
We get out the new brush and cloths,
dust the cobwebs out of your name,
and out of each date.
We scrub the cement base, brush away
what came loose, then admire how
much it looks better than it did before.
Placing the roses under your name
we take in everything, look at the whole
of it. Pause. Honor the living name.
We back away slowly then turn, still
taking in the pieces of you and of us,
not wanting to forget things.
"Isn't it well kept and green?" I say
and for a brief moment it is alright that
we are leaving you here.
8:07:48 PM  | |
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