One month ago I started this blog and I've definitely come a long way in my health and recovery! I've been able to do most of my normal activities (except working out) but just eating a very low fat diet to not overwork the pancreas. Since releasing me from the hospital the doctors have been monitoring my pancreatitis progress with blood tests and I also had an MRI two days ago. Results are... "Your MRCP was normal, your pancreatitis is completely resolved. No gallstones on the MRCP so you likely passed it between the 2 scans & no fluid collection either. You are good to go as soon as you heal" wow that is awesome news! This means the necrosis on my pancreas is gone and it re-formed itself! Although the pancreatitis is gone, I'm still taking it easy on my pancreas since it took such a huge blow last month. But eventually I plan to add more foods back into my diet and add more activity in too. My goal is to get back to teaching Zumba in 4-6 months. At this point in time I feel exhausted and weak, but they said my energy should start to come back in 4-6 weeks. Resting and not doing much physical activity has been the hardest on me, because you know me, I'm a busybody!
Yesterday Dr. Tanwani took out my gallbladder and the surgery went great! They started around 2pm and I arrived back home at 5:45pm. I cant believe how fast it went, but I guess I was sleeping or sleepy most of the time! One of the things I was dreading most was the anesthesia but it was a smooth transition and not scary at all. (just made me nauseous for the evening) And boy was I out of it last night! Dr. said that he saw some stones in the gallbladder so we were all happy to get that thing out of there. They said at my pre-op that when I left the hospital I would be at pain level 4, but I would rate it more like a 5, with spikes up to 7 or so when my pain meds wore off. I've been taking the Vicodin so today I'm feeling like the pain is managed much better! I just can't drive or do much for the next 5 days so besides church on Sunday, I'm just going to lay around and watch the show Prison Break on Netflix :) Before the surgery I had imagined that the incisions would be the most sore, but I am actually hurting way worse on the inside and I have referred pain in my shoulders as well. Please continue to pray for my recovery, and that no other health flukes come my way!
Here are three of the four incisions. - I can't believe an organ squeezed through this tiny 1 inch hole!
We have some friends whose baby boy is in the hospital right now. Today Tracie posted a status update that reflects my thoughts in my medical situation exactly:
What a testament of being the hands and feet of Jesus. We are eternally
grateful for all of it! We pray for each of you, that you would be
drawn closer to The Lord as you're being used to minister to us during
this time!!"
