May 25...

... is dooms day for my gall bladder.
After a very good consultation with the surgeon last week, we went ahead and scheduled my surgery. The doctor was absolutely wonderful. I couldn't have asked for a better time talking to him. He was able to put things in easy to understand terms without making us feel stupid. After calling the insurance company to make sure this wouldn't break our bank account, we decided to go through with it. Dave's last day of school is May 25th, so he will have some time to assist me as I heal before he starts summer school. It usually takes a week or so before you feel tip top shape, so hopefully by the next weekend everything will be fine and dandy.
Something interesting came up as we talked with the doctor too. After examining my medical history and talking about some of my symptoms, we realized that I was having discomfort more often then not. While I may not have been having my painful episodes very often, I realized that I have some kind of abdominal discomfort 3 to 5 times a week. My hope is that this surgery will help my feel overall better when it comes to eating and digestion. Hopefully, this can be a "cure all" for many things. And if it only ensures that I won't have my painful episodes anymore, well....I'll take that too.

Good Ol' San Antone!

Dave and I are back from our wonderful anniversary trip to San Antonio. We had a great little mini vacation and feel refreshed and exhausted at the same time. Don't you love it how vacation will do that to you. We did some fun things...from the Alamo, to shopping and reading by the hotel pool, to listening to a live jazz band perform at a cafe on the Riverwalk while sipping Chocolate Martinis! All in all, we had a fabulous time...enjoy some highlights with the pictures below!


Dave and I at a fabulous Mexican dinner on the Riverwalk ( I really need to learn to sit up straight in pictures)

The Mariachi band that serenaded us while we at fajitas and chips and queso!

In front of the Alamo. Isn't it funny how Dave's shirt is the exact same color as the grass!!

Breakfast at the Menger Hotel (again with the need to learn to sit up straight!), recommended by my best friend Lauren. We had the breakfast buffet which consisted of an omelet(which we split) and made to order waffle(again that we split) and then we had a plate of fresh fruit, all kinds of breakfast meats like sausages and bacon and ham, croissants, muffins, potatoes and grits, coffee and a mimosa!! It was one of the highlights of the trip.

Dave and I on the boat tour of the Riverwalk. It was so windy that night I am glad I brought my blazer!

Dave looking absolutely adorable at Budros Texas Bistro, recommended by mom. We both had amazing seafood dishes.

Me at Budros!

The view of our hotel from the Riverwalk. We stayed at the Omni La Mansion del Rio (thanks grandad Daily!).

Way below normal...

...is what the painful and very boring test proved about my gall bladder on Monday. They gave me an IV that hurt like some very bad words, and then made me lie absolutly motionless for almost two hours while they sent radioactive materials into my organs and then an enzyme that made my gall bladder fill and empty. All the while a camera was so close to my stomach if I breathed in too deep, my ribs would touch it. The doc called today with the results. Normal gall bladders empty with the efficency of 30% and above. Mine empties at 11%. Explains the pain huh??!!??!! Next step is to have a surgical console with the doctors to "discuss our options". Oh boy.