I would appreciate any prayers you guys can spare on Friday morning as I am having my gall bladder removed. Hopefully by laparoscope. I had a severe attack on Tuesday night that sent me to the ER for 5 hours and have had several less serious attacks in the past couple of months. I hate the thoughts of having surgery (haven't done this for 23 years when I had my wisdom teeth out), but can't stand the thought of another attack.

Yikes!! Prayers are already headed your way!!

I've been where you are now and the surgery is nothing compared to the attacks. I had mine done laprascopicly and it's not bad at all. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Best Wishes and prayers thomasj! My boss is recovering from this as we speak and I hear she is doing fine.....as will you!

May God be with you, strengthen you, and heal you.

Thomas, you know you're in my prayers. I know everything is going to be just fine.

I don't miss my gall bladder at all! Felt so much better after it was removed, thought I could walk right out of recovery. I could actually eat again, so much for the weight loss. Best wishes and speedy recovery to you!

Well, I am home! Went to the OR at 9:20 and was back in my room at noon. Discharged at about 3:30. Went to the store to pick up some pain meds and home. I am a little tired, a little sore, but feel much better than I did before I went in.

The doc said that had he waited until next week that the gall bladder would have had to have come out through open surgery. It was very large, had a lot of scar tissue, and quite a collection of stones.

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers, it is nice to know that I have so many friends, even if I haven't met them in person!

I knew you would make it through with flying colors. You have done so much to make yourself healthier and this will give your energy another boost. I didn't realize how bad I felt until mine came out. Afterwards I realized I hadn't felt good for months.

Great news, TJ!!! Glad to hear that it went well and you are home resting!!
Here's to a speedy recovery!!

Good to learn that the surgery went well and that you are now on the road to recovery.

Great news! Take it easy and a speedy recovery to you!

now get back to training for a marathon you slacker!

I hit the stationary bike this morning for an hour. It was good because I could work out my legs and get the cardio going without the "jarring" of my still slightly tender incisions and internal organs. It felt sooo good to sweat again! I also did a little light weight training.

I have been walking between 4 and 5 miles a day, but I just can not break a sweat no mater how fast or far I walk. I expect to be running again in a few days and may take a real bike ride this weekend.

I definitely did not stay off my feet after the surgery and I think that has helped my quick recovery. I haven't had any problems with the typical complaints of laparoscopic patients such as pain in my shoulders and stuff. My only real complaint has been the swelling on the right side of my abdomen that is finally going away.

Hey TJ, come to KC, you can break a sweat just by walking outside. It is what you Pennsylvanians call "close" here. Too close for comfort.

It has been humid here as well. I was supposed to run a 10K the day after my surgery and ended up watching it from the sidelines, but it was oppressively humid that day at 8 in the morning! As much as I wished I was running, I felt bad for the guys that did because they were absolutely wiped out when they crossed the line. The week before my surgery I raced in a 22 mile bike race and as I was climbing a long hill I remember thinking to myself "Could it BE a little more humid this morning?"

I was able to do a 20 mile bike ride on Saturday and have done 6 mile runs the past two mornings. I feel great other than a slight pulling sensation when reaching or stretching. I have my post op doctor's appointment tomorrow - hopefully I will get his blessing to continue my recovery!

and you certainly have our blessings and encouragement, not that you need it -

well done thomas!

Ditto my pa.

I just had my follow up with the surgeon. He has officially released me to do some "fast walking" LOL! I told him I was doing that two days after the surgery and that I have been running for the past 4 days. He asked if I was back to work and I told him since two days after the surgery. He asked if I was able to eat - I told him I was starved the morning after the surgery and have been eating normally since then.

He told me that my gall bladder was very bad and that I was fortunate that he was still able to do the surgery with the scope. He was extremely pleased with my recovery and said that I should be able to compete in the marathon I am supposed to run in September even though my stamina has been temporarily affected by the surgery.

I am very happy with how things have gone and thank the lord for the blessings he has given me, including good friends like all of you who were praying and thinking of me. Thank You doesn't seem like enough...

thomasj you are an inspiration! Good Luck with your marathon!

I haven't looked at the couch since I changed jobs.. glad you're doing well, thomasj. I have an appointment the 3rd to see a doctor because all my signs are pointing to gallbladder problems. I've had two attacks thus far, and am just PRAYING it doesn't happen again before I can see a doc.

Ops, I'll keep you in my prayers. A friend at one of my banks just had surgery and is doing very well. So nice that medical science has made the advancements it has in this surgery.

Ops, if your attacks were anything like mine, they were 10 times more painful than the surgery! If they can take the gall bladder laparoscopically now - get it done. The alternative (once the gall bladder is too large, infected, or inflamed) is much more invasive, painful, and has a much longer recovery time. For me, the not knowing when the next attack would come was the most scary part.

Today is one month since my surgery and I am fully recovered - have been running between 50-60 miles a week and just did an 18 mile run on Saturday. Three weeks til my marathon....

Already a month? That's great!

Ops, I feel for ya sista! ::hugs::