Three days after I got back from Ireland, on Thursday, March 26th, I got prepared for major surgery to have my gallbladder removed. When I got to the hospital in Manhattan, the nurse took my temperature and blood pressure. Thankfully, all was good. Then the nurse came back, and she had me take ibuprofen and an anxiety pill. She also gave me an injection in my arm. Afterward, she searched long and hard for a vein in my hand and inserted the IV. What a process you have to go through before you get surgery.
The nurse surgeon came to get me, and we walked to the operating room. The view of the East River was pretty. It made the walk feel shorter. When we got to the operating room, I sat by the window and answered the questions. Then I went into the tiny bright room and lay on the bed.
When I woke up in the recovery room, I saw butterflies painted on the ceiling, and I remember asking the nurse if my gallstone was out and if they had to open me up or not. Thankfully, it was laparoscopic, which was good because it meant I could go home that day. The pain was intense. It felt like someone twisted me like a pretzel. They inserted pain meds into my IV, but that didn't work. Then they gave me stronger meds, which helped.
They made me get up and walk. Apparently, you're not allowed to leave until you pee. Thankfully, I was able to do that. I was put in a wheelchair, and Mom wheeled me out. No lifting or baths allowed for four to six weeks. A full recovery takes four to six weeks.
