The Gallbladder Blues

Yes, that's what I'm singing these days. Since I'm sitting here waiting on my cheerleaders to get here, I'll tell you about my last 2 weeks.

It started probably about a month ago, the pains in my chest. I thought I was just cold, so I would bundle up more while sitting on the couch. Then on the night of my birthday, after we went out to eat, the pains were a lot worse, and they didn't go away. Of course being the hypochondriac that I am, I start thinking heart attack, and various other life-threatening things. So the pain does not go away the next week, and I finally made a doctor appointment. When talking with some of the ladies at school, they said it sounded like the gallbladder. I really had no idea what gallbladder pain was like.
Anyway, I went to the doctor, and she thought it might be the gallbladder, but usually, the pain is lower, like under the rib-cage. So she pushed around on my lower right side, and I about cried. So the next day I was off to get an ultra-sound and blood tests. That day I stayed home from school because the pain was so bad. It never seemed to stop. The ultra sound came back showing nothing. Ugh. So back to square 1.
The next week (or this past Wed, which was also Veteran's Day, and a day off from school) I had another test, to check the function of the gallbladder. I have to say that was an experience in itself. After 5 hours, 3 people trying to find a vein, 5 holes in my arm, and one very PAINFUL test, the results came back: I have a non-functioning gallbladder. Thank God! I'm really happy they found out what it is, because I'm sick of eating non-fat food, which still hurts by the way. My diet has consisted of oatmeal, non-fat pudding, broth, and low fat bread. At least I've lost a few pounds, but the pain really isn't worth it.
What they found out is that for some reason my gallbladder does not output enough of whatever it's supposed to. My percent is 24, and it's supposed to be like 50 or something. Then what's left just sits there, thus causing the constant pain. Nice picture, right?
So when I get back from the test, I'm laying on the couch, and start sneezing. Yup, you guessed it. On top of the gallbladder blues, I got a nasty cold. I look like Rudolf and have a nice man voice.
To finish my story, I go to the surgeon on Monday to see what my options are. I'm really hoping they just take it out. I really don't need to take anymore medicine. I need one of those daily pill containers just to keep everything straight now.
That's all I'll share right now, many probably think it's too late for that. To them I apologize.

Brina*