I'm ready. Lets do this!!

I've taken my wonderful pain free body for granted. At the end of October, I was in the emergency room for some pretty severe abdominal pain. I was pretty sure it was gallbladder related only because I had gallstones while I was pregnant with Janice-May. They went away...or so we thought. The pain was pretty related.

I had a few episodes over the previous months, but they were never unbearable, and usually fixed by a heat pack and the occasional a glass of wine. I thought this episode was going so fade too. It didn't. Nearly 3 weeks, 2 HIDA scans, more blood work than anyone should ever have done, and an ultrasound, not only do I feel like a human pin cushion, but I have gallstones again, and I'm in more pain that child birth. At least child birth is productive.

These stones are not the kind that can easily be seen, but rather the kind that basically shred my gallbladder. The visual the surgeon gave me was filling a balloon with Jello and sharp edged gravel, and then squeezing it. Youch. No wonder! So my gallbladder is being lacerated from the inside out. Great. That would explain the 'polyps' they saw...not actually polyps, but scar tissue. Ew.

I met the Surgeon last week. She looked over my tests and said surgery would need to take place. So tomorrow at 5:30am I will begin my prep for surgery at the hospital. I've never been more excited to be cut open, however this means that I will be pain free in the long run. I'm so excited, I might pop. My taste-buds and my insides will get to be happy at the same time...eventually.

I decided that I should be very well educated in the gallbladder removal process. Bad idea. Very bad idea. I watched a video of a laparoscopic gallbladder removal. Why? Because I'm curious. Well, curiosity killed the cat...her name was Lady. But that's another story. So anyhoo...upon thinking about tomorrow, I think I might barf, knowing whats they'll be doing to my insides. The only thing keeping said barf from making it's appearance, is the knowledge that I won't be in constant pain for much longer, and for that I am eternally grateful.

A note for you

Here's a note for you, my adorable small people. So many things you do just amaze me so much. And so many of them I forget before I can share them. I wish I could carry around a video recorder all the time to capture these moments.

Isaiah, yesterday, while we were at Alexis' house you were eating some skittles. You suddenly ran into the room with a skittle between each of your thumbs and pointer fingers exclaiming "Mom!! S's." I nearly burst from pride. We've been working on your alphabet for quite some time now. You've learned them so well, and even point out letters and their sounds on billboards, cereal boxes, buildings, and anything else your cute self happens to observe...including skittles! I was a bit shocked...and did I mention, proud?

You have also mastered the art of making sure your 'potties' make it in the potty without first taking a detour through you pants. Ta-da! You even wake up dry from naps and most mornings. You've throughly impressed me, little dude. You're eating abilities have also caused a few jaw drops. I wonder to myself where you fit all that food, then I remember that your teenage years are ahead (far ahead, but ahead none the less). Whew! I guess we should prepare, huh? I love you, my boy, and I will happily keep as many refrigerators stocked as it takes.

As for you, Miss Janice-May. You have become quite the Drama Queen. You have also mastered tantrum throwing. We're working on putting an end to it. It's tough though, mainly because you're much too adorable when you flop on the floor screaming. I try hard not to laugh as I know this only encourages such escapades, but it's rather humorous.

Yesterday, we caught you climbing off the couch. You were quite successful. It made my heart ache a little bit. Partly from pride, partly because you are growing up much too quickly for my liking.

You are in to everything, including dog food. I like to claim this will help keep your hair shiny and your teeth (that will hopefully be here soon!) strong. But then I realize this probably is only accurate when referring to canines. Maybe I should stock Isaiah's refrigerator with some snacks for you too. You prefer steak, peaches, and Ritz crackers. And you refuse baby food of any kind. Can't say I blame you though. That stuff is nasty!! No wonder they feed it to kids that can't talk.

I know I get frustrated sometimes, but I love you both more than words can say.