Where have I been?

I haven't intentionally avoided blogging.  In fact, most days, I think about it... and then never quite seem to find the time to actually sit down and do it.  My lack of posts haven't been for lack of material.  I mean, with 4 kids, jobs, church, family, health, and various other activities there is always plenty to say.  But maybe that's just it - there's so much to say, and, really, who wants all the gory details?  Most often, a facebook status here or there seems to fit the bill.  Not to mention, blogger's insistence on being stupid when it comes to posting pictures had made my Tuesday's Tips next to impossible.  I think I've found a way around that, though, so... more to come!

I'm really appreciative to all of you who have been following and encouraging me as I've dealt with the whole gallbladder issue for the last several months.  Here's a quick summary of where I've been and where I'm going:

Nine years ago, within a week or so of delivering my first child, I noticed terrible pains in my stomach that would come and go.  My doctor told me I had GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) and told me to avoid acidic foods and eating before bed.  He also prescribed mild acid blockers.  After a few months of following those rules, I gave up because they didn't make a bit of difference.  And, since then, I've endured occasional flare-ups (intensified with the birth of each child) and lived off of tums when necessary.

This past October, I had a flare-up that didn't go away.  I tried another 2 week course of acid blockers.  No relief.  I raised the head of my bed and stopped eating 4 hours before bed.  No relief.  After about 2 months, I decided to see my doctor (a different doctor than the one I was seeing 9 years ago) who told me, yes, it was reflux, BUT to make sure - ordered bloodwork and an ultrasound.  The bloodwork came back negative for H-pylori (a bacterial stomach infection) but the ultrasound revealed gallstones (or, as my GI doctor said, "a bag full of stones").  From there, I was referred to a surgeon who agreed with the diagnosis but still referred me to a gastroenterologist who would do an endoscopy to "make sure" there wasn't anything else going on (ie, "maybe you really do have reflux").  He also advised that I follow a low / non fat diet for the gallbladder as well as a low acid diet for the reflux, and he prescribed the strongest acid blockers known to man.... - just in case.  After a few days of taking the acid blockers, I was in more pain than I had been before, so I stopped those.  I also stopped the low-acid diet.  Both steps revealed what I had suspected - fat was the problem, thus pointing more to my gallbladder as the source of my pain.

Each time I was referred to a new doctor, I faced a 3-4 week wait for the next step, but I have to say that I really saw the favor of God at work.  There was always some one who would put me first on the list to be called in case of cancellations (and the multiple snow storms opened up all kinds of appointments for me).  So, almost 2 months sooner than expected, I had an endoscopy which revealed no reflux damage and no ulcers.  That is not to say I am not having any reflux (they really seem to like that diagnosis) or won't in the future, but the doctor did agree that the results did not show 9 years worth of reflux damage.  Meaning, all along, my gallbladder has been the source of my problems and not any other ailment.  After all that, it was agreed that the next step is laparoscopic surgery to remove my gallbladder - but not until the first available opening on March 30th.

At first, I was a bit discouraged by that date - after all, it had been over four months of dealing with this pain, and consequently, an incredibly limited diet along with little to no appetite.  Upon second glance, I realized that the date actually is quite perfect - right at the end of the quarter (meaning no grading while I recover) and right before a week long spring break (meaning very few missed days of work).

Ideally, it would have been great if this could have been diagnosed before I went back to work 5 months ago... especially since it's been an issue for almost the last decade.  For now, I'm sticking to a virtually fat-free diet and eating very little, and, for the most part, that manages the pain.  Still, I choose to see God's hand in all of this.  No, He didn't make me sick... nor does He want me sick.  But He is able to work through the limitations of my flawed humanity and our nation's health care system to get me timely appointments and a conveniently scheduled surgery.  And He is teaching me about myself - about self-control I didn't know I had and tolerance I didn't know I was capable of.  And, I'm grateful for that.