Sunday, March 15, 2009

Don't mess with Pancreatitis...

So...maybe I have finally learned my lesson, don't ignore pain in your stomach that last more than 4 days! :)
Last Friday, March 6th, I began having a dull ache in my upper abdomen. Over the weekend, I figured it would go away and all would be well. Apparently not. By Tuesday, I headed to my primary physician, who thought it would be best to set up a sonogram for Wed. morning. Naturally...I head back to work and go on with my day as normal. (We had Open House coming up on Thurs., so there was no way that I was going to go home and rest!) While I was typing sub plans at 5 p.m., I finally started getting the feeling that maybe my little stomach pain was not going to last me until Wed. morning. Basically, the pain became worse than contractions, and I knew I was dealing with something more serious.
Now knowing me, I still decided that it would be best to go home, take some Alleve, and wait until Wed. morning to get my sonogram. Sadly, I ended up at the ER by 9 p.m., and admitted to the hospital by 3 a.m. Truly, that was the worst night of my life, I have never been so sick and in so much pain. Honestly though, I thought the ER doctor was joking when he told me that I was diagnosed with Pancreatitis and that the only way you cure it is by not eating.
HUH???? Not eating? Once again if you know me...I wake up thinking about food and go to bed thinking about food! After I had a few days of being doped up on pain medicine and my sonogram on Thurs., they did come to the conclusion that gallstones were causing the problems with my pancreas (thank goodness, since alcoholism is the other leading cause!) The only problem was, I couldn't have surgery on my gallbladder, until my pancreas settled down. So yes, I held out in the hospital until this Sat. to have my surgery, with only a few bites of Jello and apple juice in my system! Truly I think I hate Jello now! LUCKILY, I am back at home and feeling much better, just mostly sore.
Now...who do I have to thank for getting me through this past week. There is no way I could name everyone. I have the best husband (he kept my little Cameron feeling safe and loved...even though there were some hard nights), mom, dad, sisters, son, and friends in the whole world. Thank you for keeping my sane in the hospital, and thank you Abby for the good book to read!
Did I mention that I had Open House this week??? ;) My 2nd grade team and old team member Julie, really saved my life at work this week and took care of everything for me. I couldn't ask for better friends, and I don't know how I could ever repay them.
And last, but not least, thank you God...thank you for getting us all through this week safe and sound and back home safe with each other. You are always there to get us through the ups and downs. For that I am truly thankful.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness!!!!!! How are you feeling? Are you up and about yet? Email and let me know if I can do anything at all for you.

Dustin & Kate said...

Hi there! I just read your kind comment on our blog. Thank you so much for following our story and keeping Dustin in your prayers! I also know about your situation through Abby. It's kind of a small world that Abby knew two people having pancreas problems at the same time! I hope you are recovering from surgery and beginning to be able to eat a regular diet again. It is encouraging to know that you survived pancreatitis, and I know Dustin will too! (By the way, Dustin also had his gallbladder removed during his second surgery. So you guys also share that in common!) Take care of yourself! Thanks again for writing!
~Kate