It attacks you when you least expect it
It seems like the older I get, the more body parts fail or wear out, like an old junker car. The whole disgusting process is gradual and comes when you least expect it. I think my body is getting even with me for all the abuse I subjected it to in my younger years.
This past week, I had the final medical procedure in a series of tests to determine the cause of three bowel blockages I had over 18 months. Nothing abnormal was discovered. I hadn’t had any troubles in the 8 months since my last hospitalization. So, I was feeling both relieved and encouraged about my prognosis.
I had just finished a lunch of sushi and was ready to continue putting the finishing touches on our inside Christmas decorations when suddenly I was doubled over in pain.” OMG. Not again,” I thought. I didn’t want to end up in the Emergency Room or the hospital again. It gets rather costly, especially when you never find out what’s wrong.
I hoped it was just gas, which I frequently get along with bloating, as I have IBS, (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). I began eating anti-gas tablets in hopes of easing the pain. It helped for a while, but the epigastric pain returned, this time in waves. Oddly, I felt hungry, but there was no way I was going to eat anything. I still feared another bowel blockage, even though the pain was not the same.
As the evening progressed, the pain subsided to a dull ache in my upper abdomen. It felt familiar, as if I had experienced these pains a few years ago. That’s when I had frequent gallbladder attacks, which finally resulted in the removal of my gallbladder.
During the night, I only experienced slight soreness in my stomach and intestines. In the middle of the night, I developed a fever, and when that broke, all my pain was gone. Strangely, I had to get up and pee at least 5 times during the night, which destroyed my good night’s rest.
Upon waking, my stomach was a little sore, like someone had punched me in the gut, but otherwise, I felt back to normal but tired. Thinking about what had happened, I don’t feel what bothered me last evening had anything to do with my prior bowel blockages. I think I passed a bile duct stone. Even though I no longer have a gallbladder, I can still have bile duct stones. Aren’t I lucky?
It’s discouraging to have my body attack me in this way, even though I have done my best to eat a nutritious, healthy diet. I guess our bodies never forget the wild, carefree days of our youth.
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