Worried

kburen

kburen

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Hi guys. I could use a bit of prayer and thoughts about now. I went in for an ultrasound last friday to see if I have gallstones. I got a phone call from the gastrologist yesterday and have been diagnosed with a very rare (less than 1% of the population) called porcelain gallbladder. I haven't gotten to talk to the Dr. myself (he left a voice mail on my cellphone) so I'm still quite uncertain about many things associated with this "condition". I've done some research online and all that I have found has scared me to death. I know I'm going to need it taken out surgically (and they can't even do it the 3 little holes way that they do with gallstones, they have to do open surgery). I'm ok with knowing that I need surgery....I'm not ok with being a teacher and needing surgery that may well take me a month (or more) to recover from. If I need the surgery NOW I'll miss my students writing SOL (State test...it's in just over 2 weeks). If it can wait until spring break (where I have a week off so won't have to miss all of that work without pay) I may still miss their other SOLs (math, reading, and science) in may and in addition to that I'll miss my grandfather's memorial service (i know I won't feel up to driving 5 hours to Del. and then 2 hours to N.J. for the service after that surgery). *sigh* I pray that it can wait until early July.....after school's out and I've taught my 2 weeks of summer camp that I do and have all summer to recover.

Mostly I'm worried/scared because a lot of the research that I have done says that this condition is somewhat associated with gallbladder cancer (even though that's rare as well). Basically...I need some prayers for piece of mind until the Dr. calls me back later today to talk with me about what needs to be done and when it needs to be done.

Thanks everyone!!
 
I'm surprised, for this very reason, that your doctor left the message on the machine instead of asking you to come in. I don't know what that particular disease is, so I can't help there, but I will tell you that while you do want to schedule your surgery at a good time, in the long run..it really won't matter if you have to do it at a bad time. Time heals that worry. I think right now you are affected by the worst worry of all--the worry from the fear of the unknown. After you talk, you will be able to make plans and even if they aren't the most convenient ones, you will feel relief from having that sense of control again. Good luck.
 
You're right, it is a worry with not knowing right now. I know that my health comes first and that whatever the Dr. feels is best is what I will do (wait or have it taken out now). I really have a bond with the students I have this year that I didn't have last year so I would feel horrible leaving them for that long....But....as I said...I know that my health is more important. I'm also a BIG worry-wart. I will worry myself to death until I talk to him and know more.

The reason that the dr. left the message on the machine is because I asked him to. I called for the results and found out that the hospital hadn't sent them. The nurse told me Wednesday that she would get them and have the Dr. call me the following day. I told her that being a teacher, I'm hard to reach so could he please leave the results on my voice mail. I think he was also saving me a $30 copay to come into the office to tell me what could be said over the phone.

thanks again!
 
You are in my prayers. Sometimes the hardest thing is just the waiting...waiting to find out exactly what your condition involves, waiting to find out your options to deal with it, and waiting to find out if and when you need to have surgery. Sometimes just getting the answers to some of those things can make it easier to deal with. It is hard to think about leaving your class for an extneded length of time, but you need to be sure to take care of yourself first!
Please let us know how you make out.
 
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