A few of you already know that over the past 2-3 months I have been experiencing gall Bladder problems.I had my first attack back in late June, then another one 2 weeks later when I had all the gorgeous girls up at my place for the Scrap -Pile retreat in early July.
So very painful and not something I want to experience again, but unfortunately, knew it would happen eventually. And it did, in full force a month later on the 8th August.I had one bad attack on the Saturday 8th, and was taken to Hospital by Ambulance. The Ambos said I wasn't allowed to have the green whistle for at least another 3 months cause I had had 3 in 6weeks.Again I went to Emergency and was given a shot of Morphine and sent home with a script for pain killers...mostly codiene and Panadeine Forte.( which i found out from a friend who has had the same problem, weren't the best form of pain killer to take).I went home but all day Sunday, just wasn't feeling too good.So Alan took me back to Hospital at around 4pm to be given some buscopan and tramadol to be taken a hour later when I was home.By 7pm that night, I was having such a bad attack that I had my head in Stevens lap moaning.Poor little guy was so scared and worried.Again was in Emergency till 11:30pm at night, given another dose of Morphine, then sent home...no admission .
10th August-- Had to go to work today, but by 10:30 am I had to leave, I was feeling so sick.I was told by a lady I work with to go straight to my own GP.So I did, and am so glad that I did too.He got the ball rolling and had me admitted to hospital that very afternoon.I was in the surgical ward for 5 days, and in that time I had a couple of minor attacks and then early Friday morning...the worst happened.I got ACUTE PANCREATITIS, which can be very dangerous.
It took 3 morphine shots and then the Dr to come see me around lunchtime to realise that I was not well.So i was rushed to get chest X-rays and blood tests, which confirmed the Pancreatitis.I was rushed to Cairns hospital by ambulance.That was so scary on your own and feeling like I was, knowing no-one.I was put in a room with an older gentlemen and 2 aboriginal men.That freaked me out even more.But I survived that first night.
Saturday 15th August--- The two Aboriginal men left early, and there was just Stephen and I in the room all day.The lovely DR came around to see me and check me out.I had the tube that was down my throat pulled out( never want to go through that ever again), which made me feel human again.I felt like a freak with that thing up my nose and down my throat. Found out Stephen was in there with the same health issue as me.So we chatted all day, and got to know each other.
Later that night, and 82 year old lady was brought in about midnight.She looked so scared, but I smiled at her and told her my name.We bonded instantly I think that night.She is such caring , sweet, gentle lady.We all had a nice day Sunday getting to know each other.Sunday i got my catheter out...another sign that I was getting better.Ahhhh it was nice to have a shower without having to carry that around.
Sunday night, we heard someone coming into our room to fill the last bed, and he was swearing etc.I thought...OMG ...what on earth do we have in here!!!!!!!!!!!! We didn't see him till later the next morning as he was whisked away to surgery at 7am Monday morning.He turned out to be a 16 year old boy, who had had a bad motorbike accident Sunday afternoon.He was very lucky though, and only busted up his Big toe on his right foot.
This young man, after realising he didn't have to put on a face, turned out to be so cute, kind and caring.Both Peggy and I took him under our wing and I think he loved it.
Tuesday 18th August--- Peggy and I went walking on the Esplanade together, and in the halls of surgical ward, as I didn't want any more Heprin needles in my Tummy.So I had to get up and move around.It was so good to be out in the Sunshine and fresh air.Young Patrick had his Aunt bring in his Laptop , and that afternoon he set up his computer and two chairs in between mine and his beds for Peggy and Stephen and we watched a movie.All we needed was popcorn.It was so funny, cause the nurses would keep peeking through the curtains to look at us and couldn't believe how well we all got on.They told me later, that never had the seen patients get on so well in a room.
I am very lucky to have one of the best surgeons in Cairns who will be performing my Operation on the 14th September.I will be so glad to see the back of that little horror, and begin to move on with life again.At the moment, I feel like I am at a stand still.So scared to eat, and worry about whether I will have another attack before my Operation...silliness I know, but there in the back of my mind all the same.
I was so depressed and emotional yesterday, when I found out my OP date was 4 days before I fly down to Brissie for a little over a week.I am hoping and praying that all goes well, and I will still be able to fly.I had so many questions that i needed answers for, but couldn't get in touch with anyone in the Cairns hospital to answer them.So today I spoke to my local GP again( who has been a fabulous DR to me and the boys over the past 7 years).He answered all my questions , and doesn't want me going back to work before my OP.He said I need to really get myself back up to speed before i have the OP.So feeling much more positive tonight...just have the OP on my mind now and praying that it all goes smoothly and is keyhole.
I felt very blessed to have such wonderful family and friends who rang to say HI and make me feel better.I thank you all so very much.Hearing all your voices and getting SMS's really helped me get through each day in there. I missed my boys terribly over those 10 days.You all made it that little bit more bearable.
This post is more for my memories, but thanks for reading if you made it through all my dribble.Cross you fingers and wish me luck that all goes well . xx Mel
Happy New Year! 2024!
2 years ago
