A sick mommy

I've had some gallbladder issues in the past, about a year ago I had some very bad pain and procrastinated getting anything done about it.  This time I ended up going to the emergency room. It took me 5 days to go in, and I was eventually sent home, told I have gallstones, was scheduled for an MRI and a scope procedure to follow up and remove the stone. While I was in the emergency room Monday I called my parents, so my mom came up to stay with me and the boy.  Mom arrived Tuesday, which was a huge help. She was able to stay with Jackson while I went for the MRI on Tuesday evening, which showed stones and a blockage so the appointment was made to use the scope to get it out on Thursday afternoon. But by mid-Wednesday I was in so much pain even the magic pills they had prescribed didn't help. So I went back to the ER and this time was admitted. Turns out I had pancreatitis.  It is one of the most painful things I have ever experienced, I think it was worse than labour!  I was pumped full of morphine and gravol and it diminished but didn't get rid of the pain. I wasn't allowed to eat or drink anything for about 36 hours, hooked up to an IV and basically slept and got more drugs. Finally Thursday I got the procedure to remove the stone, which wasn't there any more! I was eventually discharged Friday night around 8:30 pm. And I went back to work Monday.  I will still have to have my gallbladder out at some point, probably in a few months, there is a wait list of course. I have a meeting with the doctor tomorrow, so we'll see from that. My parent's will probably have to come back.

This is one of the times when having family for support is really great. But I would still prefer to do everything myself. I don't think that having a spouse would be enough in this particular situation, I've had to have someone watch Jackson and drive me to or from the hospital.  All in all, it's really frustrating to not be able to manage these things on my own. I will be very happy when my gall bladder is out though, if it eliminates the pain I felt.

Jackson got to enjoy Halloween even without me. My brother in law took him trick or treating, in his dinosaur costume. And my mom was here to check his candy, and take some video of him going through it all. Some of my favourite quotes "I can't believe people buy this stuff and give it all away!" And his excitement over finding a "candy cane 3000" in his bag. Which I believe was a jolly rancher that ended up getting tossed because no one could get it out of it's wrapper.  He is very happy to have so much candy to eat, and asks for it all the time. It is difficult to limit it for sure!  He doesn't like the chocolate bars much, which of course is a problem for me since I'd love to eat them all, but can't because of the gall bladder stuff.

Next up is the big fourth birthday party. I have booked the party at a play gym, they get an hour of play time and then an hour in the party room for pizza and cake. I have bought loot bags and filler for them, and printed the invitations, which I have to get ready. I am just not sure of the timing of these things, how much notice do I give?  I do need to email two of his old daycare friends, so those will be emailed instead of actual invitations.  I have booked the party for 8 kids and he wants to invite 10.  Can you see a math problem? I am hoping 3 will be unable to attend. This is his first big party, every other year it's been just family and close friends. This is all daycare and school friends, I really hope it goes well.

After that of course is Christmas. I bought some lights to put up outside, and a few more ornaments for the tree. I am not sure where we will put the tree this year, but it will probably go up on December 1st, and we will be attending the Santa parade that night as well. Jackson wants many new toys, of course, so we'll have to work on narrowing that down and picking one or two for Santa's list. Should be fun.