Gall Bladder Surgery - Do I know how to live or WHAT???

So, I won't go into the details about the "attacks," the multiple "tests" and the other unpleasantnesses surrounding my gall bladder and it's defective behavior. But the good news is it is OUT! I had laproscopic surgery on June 6th. It went very well and there were no complications.

The only bad part was that several days before the surgery I contracted a sinus infection. (or created one? I'm not sure how it happens.) I blamed my symptoms as being a "cold" and decided to not tell any of the medical staff that I had a slight fever, swollen glands, and a sore throat that really was bugging me the morning of the surgery. They never really asked me straight out how I felt and I can't help it if they don't ask about a fever, right? Plus, I didn't want this surgery to be delayed...

Luckily my mom flew in for the surgery so she was there to take care of me. It was so great to have her! I don't care what anyone says, when you are sick - at any age - there is nothing like having your mom around! She was a saint to me and I frankly don't deserve her!!

Anyway, the sinus infection got worse after the surgery - then more worse...and on top of the pain from the surgery, I was REALLY miserable on the following Monday. I finally decided to go to Instacare and they put me on antibiotics and some additional drugs.

It took another 5 days to feel human again.

The whole experience was supposed to be just about the surgery but it turned out to be totally different. Isn't that just life? I had big plans for my recovery period (a week off from work) - reading, labeling pictures, other silly little projects that can be done on a couch). Yeah, those went out the window FAST!

Oh well! The good news is that the gall bladder is gone with the wind - and the sinus infection is also gone. The wounds are healing up nicely and I go back to work tomorrow. (yeah, I'm not that excited). But now I can go on my merry little way sans gall bladder....

Want to see the gross bruised belly button? I thought you did....
This is 3 days after the surgery. For some crazy reason, they use the belly button as one of the "holes". I understand holes are for: the camera, the laser (to cut) and other fun instruments of destruction. It was one good time!!

Carcamping in Capitol Reef

I went camping for the first time down at Capitol Reef, Utah. It was "carcamping" (a new word I've learned that means you drive up to your camp spot and take out all of your equipment. REAL camping means you have to hike it all in. I'm not sure who decided that rule, but I've been told by several "experts" that it's the truth!)

I like carcamping because I can take my cot! That means instead of NOT sleeping all night, I sorta sleep all night. It makes for a better morning.

There was a nice group of us and it was a very pleasant camp site and beautiful National Park. The only down part were the less than friendly camping neighbors. But we pushed through it ok.

Here Alexis, Callie, Dona and Sarah are hanging out at the Fruita Rock right behind the Fruita one room school house.

We also hiked Hickman's Bridge. We even bought the fifty cent brochure that contained interesting facts along the trail. The Bridge was an arch and named after one of the first white discoverer's of Capitol Reef (some guy named Hickman).



My health was only ok and actually caused some real grief! (I can't wait to get it taken care of this week...) I really wanted to do a longer hike but it made it impossible to do so. Luckily, there was still fun to be had at the visitor center and the lovely picnic area. The unusual thing about this area is that they have mild enough weather to grow fruit trees. So the area is so beautiful with its green trees contrasted with the red walls of the canyon and high cliffs.

We also saw some great petroglyphs originally put there by the native indians that lived there (oh, and Callie's dad!). There were also tons of cottonwood trees that rained cotton during the day while the wind blew. You couldn't tell if it was cotton or a nasty bug at times.

We got back late Saturday night but in record time - thanks to Callie's accelerated driving. I was exhausted, but it gave me a much needed emotional rest!!

Now I was prepared for my big Gall Bladder Removal Adventure!