Gall-ish

For a long time, years maybe, I will periodically have pain on the right side of my upper abdomen, just below my ribs. It feels like an amazing gas bubble or constipation and it's tough to breathe in. Doing so makes it feel like someone is stabbing me.

About 2 weeks ago, I had a bout with this pain that lasted a full day and had me doubled over with pain unable to move. It was the stabbing sensation combined with a horrible muscle spasm that kept me down. It eventually subsided but has never really gone away.

After a week of fairly severe pain, I called my doctor's office. They fit me in with a Nurse Practitioner whose first question was "is there any possibility that you're pregnant?" HA! None whatsoever, thank-you-very-much! She did her exam and said that it was unremarkable, at one point making a comment to the effect that I hadn't given her the "whole story", but suggested that I was having gall-stones. She referred me out for blood work and an ultrasound and said that if I had some other symptoms to go to the ER.

The weekend went by and starting Sunday night, I had the other symptoms. By Monday they were more severe. So being a thoughtful consumer I called my Doc's office first before going to the ER... After 4 hours of messages and calls back from the office staff stating that there were no appointments available, I went to the ER. Actually, since Wood was at work, Twig at school, and I hurt too badly to drive, my Mom took me to the ER. You know I'm feeling like shit if I call my Mom and ask her to help.

Four hours later, I've had an exam by the doctor who agrees with the Nurse Practitioner that it's Gall-stones. But the only thing that can confirm or rule it out is an ultrasound - but it's too late for that... She offered pain medication, to which I gladly agreed (it was the first offer throughout the entire ordeal and I had never thought to ask). Morphine in the hospital and a prescription for Vicodin at home. And orders to eat a no-fat diet until the Ultrasound on Thursday. Not that I want to eat much anyway, it hurts too much afterward, even with the drugs.

More later.