living one day at a time

What have I been up to? My April has been a roller coaster ride, actually it started on the later part of March, when I was diagnosed to have multiple gall bladder stones with the size averaging to 11.4mm. If haven't been exposed to knitting and crocheting I wouldn't have any idea how big is an 11.4mm is! I was afraid and at the same time determine to stop the attacks, it was so painfully, I can't hardly stand and move at all, I was nauseated and having a hard time breathing.

I did a little research and found out that when you're already having series of attacks, it is highly recommended by doctors that your gall bladder be removed by Laparoscopy Cholecystectomy. Stones on gall bladder is caused by the following: (info below is from NDDIC )

• Sex. Women are twice as likely as men to develop gallstones. Excess estrogen from pregnancy, hormone replacement therapy, and birth control pills appears to increase cholesterol levels in bile and decrease gallbladder movement, which can lead to gallstones.

• Family history. Gallstones often run in families, pointing to a possible genetic link.

• Weight. A large clinical study showed that being even moderately overweight increases the risk for developing gallstones. The most likely reason is that the amount of bile salts in bile is reduced, resulting in more cholesterol. Increased cholesterol reduces gallbladder emptying. Obesity is a major risk factor for gallstones, especially in women.

• Diet. Diets high in fat and cholesterol and low in fiber increase the risk of gallstones due to increased cholesterol in the bile and reduced gallbladder emptying.

• Rapid weight loss. As the body metabolizes fat during prolonged fasting and rapid weight loss—such as “crash diets”—the liver secretes extra cholesterol into bile, which can cause gallstones. In addition, the gallbladder does not empty properly.

• Age. People older than age 60 are more likely to develop gallstones than younger people. As people age, the body tends to secrete more cholesterol into bile.

• Ethnicity. American Indians have a genetic predisposition to secrete high levels of cholesterol in bile. In fact, they have the highest rate of gallstones in the United States. The majority of American Indian men have gallstones by age 60. Among the Pima Indians of Arizona, 70 percent of women have gallstones by age 30. Mexican American men and women of all ages also have high rates of gallstones.

• Cholesterol-lowering drugs. Drugs that lower cholesterol levels in the blood actually increase the amount of cholesterol secreted into bile. In turn, the risk of gallstones increases.

• Diabetes. People with diabetes generally have high levels of fatty acids called triglycerides. These fatty acids may increase the risk of gallstones.

My husband and I decided to deal with it head-on and both of us agreed that I shouldn't have to postpone the imminent which is - to surgically remove it- so I was scheduled for a laparoscopy on the 2nd of April, brought to the O.R. at exactly 9:30am, 1hr earlier than what was advised, staff prep me up, had small talks, while they're hooking me up to several machines. I saw my doctor (he is the Consultant Surgeon of the hospital, was well recommended by nurses) and assures me that I'll be okay,next lost consciousness.

Don't know if the operation was finished already when I was coming in and out of consciousness and was even aware that there was something they were taking out or putting into my throat - don't know for sure which is which but when I was fully aware of my surroundings, i felt my throat hurts, not to mention my whole body.
Had two visitors, Kuya Jun and Kuya Toto (was touched by their gestures, they remember me! )

Since I have all the signs that there are no complications, I was allowed to go home the next day, got home at around 4pm.

Hubby was such a darling, attended to me the whole time, even though he was tired (he didn't get a decent sleep at the hospital) and stressed out. As for my two tykes, my, they were super! They were able to manage to stay overnight at home all alone by themselves! I'm so proud of my eldest - Angel-, she took really good care of her little sister Abbie.

Doctor placed my gall stones in a sterilized plastic bottle,and I took it home with me. This will serve as a reminder that I should have to be more vigilant in taking more care of myself because there are still people who depended on me (husband and kids).

Back at playing badminton two weeks ago and now I watched what I eat, and little by little telling my kids what happens to our body if we do not take care of our body seriously.

And while I was in bed at home, I made a cellphone case and it went to a dear friend - Kuya Toto, I hope he liked it, it only took me two days to finished it and here it is...