Out of the hospital

Well, I went and did it. As of Tuesday, I'm down one gallbladder and up four scars. After months of feeling crummy, I had a test last week that indicated abnormally low gallbladder function. There's not much else to be done about it when a good gallbladder goes bad; taking it out really is the only option likely to have any positive effect. As I emerge from a haze of narcotics, I'm noticing that my color is better and the heartburn is down to almost none, amazing since before I had nearly constant heartburn, even on an empty stomach. On the downside, I'm puffy and bloated and sore; and, after five surgeries, my abdomen is starting to look like a soccer field after a pro game.
I've joined a club with many members: cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal) is the most common laparoscopic procedure performed in the U.S.
Thanks so much to everybody who's called, visited, offered help or just prayed or thought about me during the past week. I am better because of you!