I guess I was right!

The gallbladder came out yesterday and its been a huge relief! Even though I'm in all the typical post operative pain, all the low lying pain that's been hanging out for months is already gone.

I'm still in the hospital and plan to get out today. They've still got me on the all fluid diet, but I've been sneaking some Halloween candy anyway. I'm not nauseated or weak and tired. Lets get out of here.

I'm beginning to think a lot of the symptoms I've been experiencing since the baby was born in March are due in large part to this gallbladder. I look forward to my next post where I can really reflect and see how things are improved.

Create a wonderful and blessed day!

An explanation??

I think I know what the heck is going on... 

I've been incredibly sleepy these days and having a hard time getting my energy back. Not that uncommon in a Sjogren's patient.

However, those incredibly painful episodes of heart burn have reared their ugly head again, too. Hmm. I would wake up at night with pain below my ribs that radiated into my chest and shoulders. I felt hot and sweaty, nauseated, and dizzy.

The first time I felt like this, I was 20 weeks pregnant and thought I was having a heart attack. We called an ambulance and I was rushed to the hospital in the middle of the night. They quickly discovered that my heart was fine, baby was fine. They gave me a numbing medication to swallow and everything felt so much better.  This happened a few more times while I was pregnant and I controlled it by eating a super bland diet.  How fun.

Well, those episodes are coming back...with a vengeance!!  Instead of lasting for an hour or less, they are lasting for a whole day! Now, when I breathe in, I feel a sharp pain in my right side under my rib.

Are you with me? Do you know where I'm going with this?

Checked in with my doctor who is sending me for an MRI tomorrow morning to check my...wait for it...gallbladder. Sigh.

While she's at it, she's running a test for celiac disease just to rule it out.

I have known for a while that I have a gallstone. I have resisted surgery because there is no good reason to just rip out random organs that aren't causing any problems. Well, well, well. There is certainly a problem now. I am ready to go. I am ready to have this thing removed. Bring it on.

A friend of mine who recently had her gallbladder out told me that she didn't even use pain meds when recovering from the surgery. She was so relieved to have all that persistent pain gone, she was able to handle the recovery pain.

I look forward to full nights of sleep again. I look forward to not writhing with low level, irritating discomfort all day. I hope the MRI reveals this simple fix and everything gets back to getting better.

Sleepy, sleepy girl

Howdy y'all.

I've been MIA for a while.

After my procedure (so delicately described in the previous post), I have been unable to bounce back.

I can't get my mojo for exercise, work, kids, etc.

.:yawn!:.

Back to sleep...or, at least, whatever it's called when you go through your day with your eyes open and your brain in sleep mode.

Nighty, night..

Preppy!

Tomorrow is a big day. It's not for the weak or timid. Tomorrow is...

Colonoscopy Prep Day!

By all accounts, the prep is far worse than the actual procedure. I have my fridge stocked up with Gatorade and jello. I have firm instructions for Pal to take kids out for dinner tomorrow night. I imagine things are gonna get ugly around here.

Honestly, I can handle getting colon squeaky clean. Bring it on. What I'm most nervous about is how I'm going to feel not being able to eat anything from NOW until Monday afternoon at 2:30. Oh shit.

I think Pal taking the kids out for dinner is for their own safety. And his sanity.

Time for more clear liquids. Bottom's up!!

Weird flare symptoms...?

For the past couple of days, I've been in a moderate flare up of this blessed illness. Along with the usual mood and energy instability came another "regular" I've become accustomed to seeing: sore, sensitive skin on my left forearm. I don't see any sign of irritation on my arm, but it's so sensitive that it hurts to wear long sleeves. It hurts in only a 2x2 inch patch. It's weird.

I really have no idea if this skin symptom is related to my flares, but it's a good idea to keep track.

Please enjoy this snapshot of my lovely apple pie. I'm in a bake-off at work tomorrow morning and this lovely piece of art is my entry. Delicious!

Twins vs. Yankees

We attended a ball game last night thanks to the generosity of someone in my office. The kids had a great time and we're all very excited to go back again. We only made it through three innings, but with a four year old and a six month old, we considered that a success.

Dental Insecurities

Physical symptoms: mild parotid swelling, overheating
Mood: Med High
Energy: Great!

I hate going to the dentist. And, I'm pretty sure, I hate it more than most. If there was an award for Most Sensitive Teeth in the Minnesota, I'm confident that I could be in the top five finalists. I can barely eat room temperature food without discomfort. Food must be warm, but not TOO warm. Ice cream must be melted. And chewing raw fruit that has any sort of acidity...forget about it. I don't even remember the last time I ate an orange.

Given that I have Sjogren's Syndrome, there is no wiggle room in skipping dental appointments. It's been two years since I've seen a dentist and that's a damn shame.

And like any good adult, I put on my big girl pants and got my ass in to see the dentist. I was super anxious heading in to my appointment due to the aforementioned sensitivity. In the past, dentists and hygeinists have given me the "Oh it's not that BAD" routine when I've been very comfortable. I know it's a pain in the ass to deal with squirmy, sometimes tearful patients...and I have accepted my role as one of them.

As I expected, I had lots of sensitivity and lots of pain with my exam. I didn't get my cleaning done today (that's a little gift for next week!), but the inspection was bad enough. Jeez. However, this time, the dentist offered me some MI paste that people use after their teeth whitening appointments. She gave me a full size bottle of it and applied some before I left. What a difference that made!

I chewed the apples in my salad for the first time without cringes!

What's next?

Perhaps...an orange?