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Ups Downs and Gallbladder Woes
This has been a roller coaster year for me, I have to say. Mostly pretty smooth, then a bit of that up-hill, butterflies in the tummy feeling, then watch out! And sometimes, there’s not been a warning. Just in the last couple of months, I’ve dealt with websites crashing (fixed), software not working right (in progress), and most recently, I had an unexpected emergency gallbladder surgery!
What I thought was a REALLY bad case of the tummy bug, maybe even Norovirus, turned into an infected gallbladder. That definitely came out of the blue (hehehe I wrote this first, then found the cute stuffed gallbladder above – gotta love it)! Although in retrospect, I wonder if there weren’t some signs I just wasn’t able to read. My back had been itching for a while for no reason. I just figured it was the dry weather (even though not as dry as usual) and it was my neck instead of my ankles that had fallen prey to it. I’d slather it with lotion and that would calm it. With a family history (myself and others) of mild-moderate skin issues, I was just surprised it stayed mild ;).
Interesting Symptoms of Gallbladder Issues Include Itchiness
After my surgery, I was laying in bed, looking up what the heck this thing was that had attacked me so bad, and found a couple of lists of symptoms of gallbladder problems including this one from Healthline – with itching at the bottom of the symptom list! Now mind you, I’m not saying everyone who is dealing with itchiness should race to the doctor and have their gallbladder checked. But it could be good info to keep in the back of your mind so if you also develop an odd tummy bug, you won’t wait as long as I did to get THAT checked out. (And that is good advice even without any itchiness!) 😉
God’s Awesome Care
I was very blessed to have a good medical team who caught it when I finally called in and said, “I just have the flu but it’s really bad. Is that going around and is there something to take?” Praise God, they recognized it might be more and had me come in right away! God was REALLY watching over me before during and after!
I’ve been listening to Pastor John Miller’s older Bible survey studies lately. I was even able to do this in the hospital which was a blessing in those night watches after they’d checked my vitals. I’m currently in Genesis with Abraham and loved these Words of encouragement He gave me during this time period – Fear not…I am your shield and your exceeding great reward!” Yes, those were directed to Abraham. But I knew they were for me as well, just as the words from Psalms are for us – “You have also given me the shield of Your salvation and Your right hand upholds me; and Your gentleness makes me great. You enlarge my steps under me and my feet have not slipped.”
Our paths may not always be straight. Sometimes there may be rocks (or surgeries) – big or little – to try to trip us. BUT GOD is ALWAYS in control! He was in this instance, He always has been for me, and He always will be for His children until it’s time for us to head home. I’m looking forward to that moment immensely. I KNOW that Heaven is my Forever Real Home. But I’m also grateful to have more time here to enjoy grandkids hugs, helping my senior parents, and chatting with y’all via the blog-o-verse. 😉
Multigenerational Caregiving Tips to Come
I hope to share a couple more Sandwich Generation lessons from this in weeks to come (like what to do when the caregiver gets sick). In the meantime, have a blessed and peaceful week!
Kaye
P.S. Isn’t that gallbladder stuffed toy above a hoot! Will give my grandkids a chuckle, that’s for sure. 🙂
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