So, it's out!

Only a short one, even though I have tons and tons to write about. I've only been home from the hospital for around 2hours, have just taken my dose of painkillers so am a little woozy and not with it. But, the gallbladder has gone!!

On Sunday evening, 3 mere days after returning from North Africa, I had the worst gallstone attack I've had ever. I tried to wait it out, but ended up being driven to the hospital. Martin made the tough decision to drive to the hospital which was further away, but where my surgeon was based, and if he hadn't I probably wouldn't have had the surgery.

I arrived at A&E at around 8.30pm and was asked to wait for a doctor. At 12am we were finally seen. The doctor was lovely, took some bloods and I explained it was gallstones (to which she asked "how do you know?") and what had happened. 1hour later my bloods were back and I did indeed have an infection and my liver function readings were sky high, so I was admitted straight away.

The first surgeon who came to speak to me explained I needed an ultrasound and an MRI, then they would operate within 6 weeks. The second surgeon who came to see me said they would operate before I went home, which planted the seed.

The following morning my own surgeon came by my bed, and said once my liver function tests were normal I could go home and he would send me a date for surgery. I simply looked at him and said "can I not have I done before I go home? It's ruining my life" to which he responded "I suppose so. We'll do it this afternoon!"

At 5pm I was wheeled down to surgery, petrified Im not afraid to admit. I was given oxygen, a strong painkiller (which made me not be able to see straight within seconds) and then the anaesthetic. The next thing I know I'm in recovery, I'm quite a lot of pain, crying, and being looking after by three very lovely nurses. After 7 syringes of morphine, more crying (which in turn hurt my stomach, so was a vicious cycle) a long conversation and one of the nurses experience of IVF (she had three rounds, non successful. She has a faulty pituitary and doesn't produce any female hormones at all) and I was back on the ward.

I don't remember seeing my Dad and Martin by my bed, but I've been told I wasn't really "with it" and I was mostly concerned that the surgeon has removed my pants.

Now I'm home, all bandaged up, with 4 small incisions in my abdomen. Small, but painful. I will be resting for 2 weeks and then normal life will resume. Very happy. Very relieved. Life can now get back on track.

Next entry will include; my continued recovery, new job and our amazing trip to Tunisia.