I survived!!!!

Yes I did, I survived gall bladder surgery. I can't say I enjoyed it, but it's good to know it's gone. The surgeon said that I had HUNDREDS of small stones, so it's pretty safe to say that we did find the source of the pain. First, I have to tell you that the waiting was the worst part. I was scheduled to go into the OR at 1:30 and didn't get there until almost 3:00. Since I hadn't seen the doctor yet, they waited to put me under until he had arrived and had spoken to me. Then the anesthesiologist said, "You're going to go to sleep now!" and I said, "Okay." And then I lay there for a minute and said, "I'm not asleep yet." I didn't want them to start cutting, lol. And she said, "Don't worry it takes a minute. Just take nice slow deep breaths." And the next thing I remember I hear someone talking about Starbucks and I'm trying to croak, "Hey, I want Starbucks too." Then someone puts my glasses on my face and I say, "Can I please have some water?" and she says, "No, honey, you just came out of surgery two minutes ago." They told me Dan had gone home to have dinner with the kids and his mom, and I got moved pretty quickly from Recovery to my room. I had to share with two older ladies who were in real pain all night long, so it was very difficult to sleep. One of them turned on her TV to some war movie, tons of gunshots and screaming. The other one was moaning all night. The worst thing was that they put these leg wraps on me that inflated every two minutes or so, to keep my blood circulating. I would just drift off and those things would roar to life and squeeze my calves, waking me up again. I understand now the workings of sleep deprivation torture. It also didn't help that I was sick a couple of times from the anesthesia, and I had to ask for help every time I went to the bathroom. Overall, I'd rate being at a hospital a great big zero. Well, except for the "healing me" thing, that worked out okay. The next day I was out of there almost before I could finish my breakfast. I guess I ate and peed to their satisfaction because they sent me straight home where I was greeted by enthusiastic family members (the dog was a bit TOO enthusiastic...jumping up on my belly was not a good feeling) and two beautiful bouquets of flowers from my family and Dan's brother's family. Today I'm very stiff and sore still, but I did manage to get out of the house to the dog park for a bit. And I've rested plenty too. So, I made it. I can no longer claim that I've never been in the hospital. And I look forward to feeling much better once these stitches have dissolved. Thanks to everyone who encouraged me...it really means a lot.