Getting Old Ain’t for Sissies March 11, 2008
Posted by Jennifer Schlick in nothing to do with nature.trackback
So, the results are in: I have “several small stones in an otherwise normal gallbladder.”
Please post no horror stories about gallstones! But if you have any encouraging stories, I could use those right about now.
P.S. I’m miserably behind in reading your blogs… been reading about gallstones instead. I’ll get back to you soon…
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don’t apologize for being behind…I am so behind at work I have to take a break…
Are the gallstones causing problems? They may not.
Removing the gallbladder is a much easier than it was 20-30 years ago and is done as day surgery with just a tiny incision. But you would still be off for a while. Friends of mine have tried gallbladder detox programs…I don’t know how effective they are. Good luck!
I didn’t bring my glasses home–so I’m posting in slow motion–no kidding, getting old isn’t for sissies!
My husband and his mother both are gallbladder operation survivors.
When she had hers many years ago, it was an operation that opened you from side to side, set you up in a hospital bed for more than a week, and demanded a lengthy recuperation. Five years ago, when he had the same diagnosis, his option was far easier.
With laparoscopic surgery, he was up and around in a jiffy–you will be, too!
Gallstones: My dad had them and got through without needing surgery, just fine.
Getting old not for sissies: no kidding! I think we’d all pass on it if the alternative weren’t worse. Cheers – you’ve lots of company. I hear blogging is so passe that soon the young will leave it (and email) entirely behind and we elderly geezers will have the blogosphere to ourselves.
PS I knew I’d get old, I just didn’t know I’d be so young when it happened!
I’m a sissy. But getting old just the same. argh! Sorry to hear about the gallstones. No fun. My step-sis had ‘em, but got through with flyin’ colors! Here’s wishin’ the best for you as you deal with yours.
I’m behind too. Flu knocked me silly in Feb and I still sound like Kathleen Turner.
I wish you a speedy and uncomplicated recovery!
Oh dear! I hope you can get rid of the things without the need of surgery! If you do need to have surgery, be sure you start to use bile salts afterwards. My friend had her gallbladder out years ago, only recently discovered bile salts … and found they really do aide her digestion.
I hope you recover quickly! I’ll be thinking about you!
No problems at all, I hope you get better soon!
Well, when my sister Hannah had this, she ended up with surgery; but it’s not your mom’s surgery when they split you open from end to end. Three small incisions, in and out of the hospital, and she wondered why she didn’t have it taken care of sooner.
~Sue
I somehow missed this post! So sorry to hear Jen and lucky I have not had any yet! I hear they can be painful and lets hope they pass easily!
Thanks, all for your kind words. I plan to have the surgery. Here’s my reasoning: I’m young (relatively speaking) and strong and should get through the surgery easily. If I try just for the flush and my gallbladder continues to make more stones, and I eventually need surgery later… I might not be so strong. The pain is intense when I have an attack (which thankfully hasn’t been TOO often). I don’t want that pain… so… out it goes.
Hi Jenn,
I can’t share anything with you that the others haven’t already commented on. I’ve heard that gallstones are extremely painful during an attack and I think here in Rochester it’s now done at Mayo as a “same day” surgery….much less complicated than even 10 years ago due to the marvelous advances in medical & surgical technology. I wish you the best–it will be worth it when you’re feeling better again.
Hi Jennifer,
But once you bounce back, you’ll feel like a new person. I’ll keep you in my prayers, and hope to see you blogging again real soon.
I had my gallbladder removed about 6 years ago. The pain that you spoke of was (to me) excruciating. And like you, I opted for the surgery. Just three small incisions and no pain afterwards. My only “advice” would be to take it easy after the surgery – it’s still considered “major” surgery. I was supposed to take off from work two to three weeks, but I thought I felt strong enough to return after 1-1/2 weeks. I found out that I tired very easily; and when I got tired, I didn’t do as well – in other words got grumpy and wanted to home and go to bed.
Loved you pictures !
I did have gallstone(s) and a gallbladder, neither of which I have anymore. However, I didn”t have any symptoms until it was too late. I had gallstone(s) travel to the common duct of the gall bladder and pancreas AND lodge there; ergo, my pancreas became inflamed and I developed pancreatitis.This is much worse than having the stones or a bad gallbladder. I had to wait several painful months with the pancreatitis before the gall bladder was removed.
Having the gallbladder out was easy;I had outpatient surgery,small incisions, and felt great afterward.
My grandfather had his gallbladder removed last year. He was 92 at the time, and less than 24 hours after the operation he was on the phone, telling me how nice it was to be back home and not to feel the pain anymore (in this order), and how easy and simple the surgery seemed.