Wednesday, December 10, 2008

The results are in.....

And it scares me.


Last Friday I had some tests done at the IMC.  An ultrasound of my abdomen (gallbladder, spleen, liver, etc.) and a HIDA scan.  For those of you who don't know what a HIDA scan is, they inject you with a radioactive fluid and track its progress through your system until it reaches your gallbladder.  Then they inject a small amount of a hormone that your body produces when you eat a fatty meal.  This is what helps them determine if your gallbladder is functioning properly.  The whole process takes about an hour and a half.  And you can't move.  You have to lay on  your back, perfectly still, for an hour and a half.  Fun.  They take minute long pictures of that radioactive stuff, so if you move, it blurs the picture.  I tried to sleep, it didn't work.  Even better, after an hour, they tell me that the camera they were using is not working properly, so I have to walk across the hospital (not a small feat, if you have seen the hospital) to the cardiology room so we can use their camera.  At least it got me off my back (no comments from Kersten).

The last half hour was better cause they let Mom come in with me.  This last part was when there was a possibility of pain, so I was nervous.  They said it could rival what I normally suffer, and that is pretty bad.  But luckily I was virtually pain free.  

Long explanation, but I got my results today.  Turns out my gallbladder is not functioning properly, and the solutions is to have it removed.  Yep, I get to have the same surgery my Mom had not two months ago.  

Truthfully, I am scared.  I have never had to do anything this serious before.  I have never had any surgeries, I have never had stitches, no broken bones, not even a serious illness.  I feel very lucky to have gone 24 years with out any major problems.  But it still scares the, well, the you-know-what out of me.  Everyone told Mom it was going to be an easy surgery, something she would be back from in a matter of days, if not less.  She didn't even have to stay in the hospital over night.  But we all know how that turned out.


So now what?

13 comments:

Unknown said...

Take a deep breath... it really is a generally easy surgery. The majority of people bounce back from it within a week.
Take it from a nurse... you'll be fine.

Nik English said...

I love you sweets I am glad we are finding solutions and getting results!

Vee said...

oh wow... that sounds like a "no fun procedure" you had to go through... luckily they found a solution.

While I've had my fair share of operations, and broken bones etc I still understand your fears. But in the words of bob marley, "every lil things gonna be alright"

minisuperbias said...

i don't know anything about anything, but i can bake you get better soon treats :)

Hilary said...

I'm sorry! And I know your Mom had such a bad time with her surgery, but if it makes you feel better, I had mine out when Annie was six weeks old, on a Friday, and we had her baby blessing and family party that Sunday. I was tired, but fine. For the majority of people it's a lot easier surgery than suffering from gallbladder problem is!

Unknown said...

You'll be fine. It's an easy surgery, the recovery is a piece of cake!
Just schedule it after Christmas so you can come to the party!

Unknown said...

It truly is a pretty easy surgery and you are young and healthy so you should recover fast! I'll come bring ya anything you want afterwards!!

Talina said...

And hey, if this really is the cause of your stomach problems, what a relief it will be to be done with that. . . hmm, a Lena-friend WITHOUT stomach problems. . . I can't even imagine it! ;) This could turn out to be a wonderful thing. We'll be praying for you and I'll bet the ward would bring you dinners and stuff. Yay for the perfect excuse not to cook!!!

Anonymous said...

Oh, Lena- sorry for the news. :( I was one that said the gallbladder surgery sucked for me. Most ppl say it's an easy procedure (and for the majority it is), but it seems that there is something in OUR family that opposes that. My surgery itself was a good one, but the recovery was painful for me mostly because of the air they have to pump in- it all got trapped inside me and I had "gas-like" pains in my back for days. It sucked. Then I had other side effects that was excruciating. It's not fair, but it doesn't last long.

One thing I didn't realize is how horrible it is to eat dairy of ANY form (and grease of ANY form) after the surgery for a few months. Um....NOT FUN. I actually started my IBS (irritable bowl syndrome) AFTER my gallbladder surgery and lost lots of weight. I was always pretty sickly in my 20's because of it.

I'm not trying to scare you. Just give you MY info and what my experience was.

BUT- and this is a major big 'ole BUT!! Lol... having my gallbladder out was the BEST thing I could have done!! (apart from the fact that I had a huge stone and it was living in constant excruciating pain if I DIDN'T get it removed). I now have NOOOOO problem eating anything (except soda- I can only have that in small quantities) and I haven't had a stomach ulcer since!

I don't know if you knew, but when I was growing up and when I was first married, it was "common" for me to have horrible stomach ulcers. I couldn't eat more than two bites of food before I was "full" and I had a sharp, stabbing pain in my gut for YEARS. After the surgery, it didn't happen anymore. I have no idea if the two are connected, but.... let me tell ya- I feel SOOOO much better THESE days than I ever did with "all" my body parts, lol!!

GOOD LUCK with the surgery and have someone give you a blessing. It sure helped me calm down. You'll be fine! We love you!

Kersten said...

Sad that you think I am so debase and immature as to comment about you being able to get off of your back....
I can understand that you would be nervous for the surgery. It will be a breeze and you will be feeling better in no time. Lots of people love you and you will be in their prayers; including me and Lou.

~*Felts~* said...

MUFFIN!! I am so sorry to hear that you have to go through this. Please don't be scared, my friend had the same thing done a few months ago and his recovery was just fine. He was back hunting in no time :) Please let me know if there is anything that I can do for you. And be sure to let us know how it goes. I miss you and wanna see you as soon as you are up for it. ((HUGS)) Love ya

Jessica said...

I'm sorry! I had no idea! When are you having the surgery? I'm sure you will recover quickly. You are young and healthy.

CTuna's Cavern said...

Our prayers are with you sweetheart. The surgery will go well and you'll be back as new in no time.