Carey update continued...

So, I worked that Sunday. First day back from maternity leave. I was too tired on Monday to call the Dr office. So Tuesday morning I called asking for the results of my ultrasound. Of course  you call, leave a message, and have to wait for someone to call back. So late that afternoon a nurse from the office called back and said, " Dr. Freeman wanted me to tell you that the ultrasound showed gallstones. She is referring you to a surgeon."
Surgeon? Excuse me? I am thinking in my head, I guess that means I have to have surgery. OMG....I've never had surgery. Since I am referred, they made an appointment for me. The appointment was on March 18. Clarke's Birthday. We had already made plans to go to the zoo. I decided to call and change the appointment, of course the next available appointment wasn't until the next Wednesday. I could wait...I thought....
Come Friday I was wishing that I hadn't waited, but what is a Mommy to do? I'm not quite sure if the pain was getting worse because I knew what it was or because it was just getting worse. The good thing was that I was less scared when I had the pain because I knew what was causing it and knew that eventually it would be fixed.

So, I meet with the surgeon on Wednesday. He told me that I had gallstones and needed to have my gallbladder out. He said it was a very simple procedure and that recovery was very easy .I would have 4 little holes where the scopes were place and would be able to go home the same day.  He said that I would be back to normal in a few days. He said some people don't even take the pain medicine after the surgery. I asked him how long I needed to stay out of work. He said one week. I told him that I work 12 hour night shifts in the hospital and am required to do a lot of lifting and the job is very physical. He told me there was not any lifting restrictions, and that if I reminded him after the surgery that he could write me out for 2 weeks. I was very concerned about this. I know how demanding my job is and just didn't think that I would be 100% well in 2 weeks, enough to go back to work. I decided to trust him.

Having heard all of this, I signed the consent in the office and overheard him telling the nurse to schedule me ASAP (which sounded great to me, I was ready, I thought). The scheduler was busy and would call me to set up a date for surgery. I got in my car pretty confident in the surgeon and the whole idea of the surgery. I couldn't wait to feel better!

The scheduler called me on the way home. March 31. That's next Thursday! Be there at 8am, surgery at 10am. Nothing to eat after 10pm, clears until 6am.
From then on, my phone was ringing off the hook. The hospital calling about registration, anesthesia calling about my history.....it was quite strange being on the other side. I ask patients these questions all the time. In fact, I probably could have just told them everything that they needed to know without them asking me a question at all. I have the form memorized.

So, the wait begins.....