GALLBLADDER GONE

Yesterday I had my gallbladder removed.  Didn't feel a whole lot of discomfort yesterday but today am in pain.  Not many choices when it comes to eating.  Had oatmeal for breakfast and suffered for 3 hours afterwards.  My body has not had enough time to adjust to having no gallbladder.  I will have to stick to broth and clear soups for awhile.

The Hydrocodone really helps and the surgeon said I could take two at a time if needed.  He has a good understanding of the degree of pain it seems.  I'm making sure I take Miralax to prevent constipation from the pain meds.

I was informed that it would take at least 2 weeks to recuperate from the surgery and possibly 2 months before I could do any heavy lifting.  Even though it was a simple procedure it was still major surgery.

The pain today is from the incision on the far right of my stomach where they pulled the gallbladder out.  It feels kind of like the same pain I had when I had the gallbladder attacks only now I have no gallbladder.  In a week I have an appointment with the surgeon for a check up. 

On January 23rd I had an appointment with my ENT who scheduled a biopsy on the nodule on my thyroid.  Hopefully that is the last thing to do for a long time.

TWO ULTRASOUNDS

On January 4th I had an Ultrasound done in two areas - one on my thyroid and one on my gallbladder.

I had been having some slight pain where there is a nodule on the right side of my thyroid.  It had never bothered me before and the doctors were not concerned about it in the past.

I also had two gallbladder attacks in the last two months.  These were very painful and I threw up both times.  The pain lasted a couple of hours and I had my brother come over in case I needed to go to the hospital.  I was really scared.

So when I informed my family doctor about these events he ordered the two scans.

I was able to read the results on the Hospital's Online Portal.  The gallbladder results showed that I had multiple gallstones without obstruction.  I already knew I had gallstones from all of the other scans I had in the last year.  This test result does not indicate the severity of my recent attacks resulting in severe pain and vomiting and white stools for two days afterwards - indicating that my gallbladder was not functioning well.

The thyroid results showed that the right thyroid lobe is enlarged measuring 4.2 x 2.2 x 1.7 cm.  In the mid/inferior aspect of right thyroid lobe, there is a nodule with cystic and solid components, measuring 2.3 x 1.8 x 1.7 cm. This is stable in size when compared to the prior CTs.

This test result showing solid components is not a good sign.  These nodules are more likely to be cancerous than are fluid-filled nodules.  Most solid nodules are not cancerous.

My family doctor called but I missed his call and called back but could not get through.  Have not heard from the clinic since last week's call.  I guess he is not worried about the results.

This brings back those horrible memories of when he didn't think I had throat cancer and I had to have 3 biopsies before they finally found it and I could get treatment.

I know my body.  I am worried about these two issues and think I should have my gallbladder removed.  I also think I should have a biopsy of my thyroid nodule.

I will probably have to make an appointment with my family doctor in order to discuss the test findings.  At that time I will ask for a referral to a specialist - Endocrinologist.