Hi all, I finally took a walk around the block myself. The afternoon air of this autumn day was mild and comfortable with the leaves starting to change into their blissful colors. It feels like it’s been over a week since I’ve been outside to look at the leaves and enjoy the new season.
This past Monday night at 10 p.m., my mom called me panicking and groaning in pain and telling me that she just got to the ER in an ambulance. Thankfully, the doctors in the ER were able to attend to her right away. She couldn’t fathom how a bad cough from a cold and rib pain from that could lead to this stabbing pain sensation in her upper abdomen. I thought she had ruptured her appendix.
However, after a multitude of tests, ultrasounds, and lab tests, it was discovered that it’s gallbladder stones. Wednesday morning, she had surgery to get her gallbladder removed, and while recovering, her diabetes suddenly went nuts after lab tests showed too much acid in her blood. She would need extra monitoring and hourly insulin drip, which required a stay in the ICU. I gasped in horror when I heard the word “ICU.” I got this call call on the drive back from Stanford 15 minutes after Ellis got her g-tube removed. Ack!!!
I’m not sure how I made it through this week, but it’s by the grace of God that I was able to still keep on task as a homeschooling mama and not fall sick. Stressed out, yes! But didn’t fall apart, yes!
There’s word that my mom will get discharged tomorrow; that’s the tentative plan. November came with a bang for me! There’s another close family illness that we found out about this week, but I’m not at liberty to share that yet. Nevertheless, God is good for showing me his mercy and grace through all of this, but in the recesses of my mind, I ask “can you slow it down for me?” I feel I can ask this to God because He doesn’t get offended or mad at me for being honest. I was hesitant to share the last two sentences but that’s how I feel honestly.
“Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall.” — F. Scott Fitzgerald, “The Great Gatsby”
15 responses to “Ellis’ g-tube and mom’s ICU stay, all in one afternoon”
Good heavens. I suppose if there’s any good news here, it’s that loss of a gall bladder isn’t life-threatening. Both my mother and an aunt had the surgery, and other than some dietary changes, they went right on. I hope your mom is soon home, and doing well. You could use a bit of a break!
I was relieved to hear that it was a gallbladder and not something like a disease. It was her diabetes that had a spike from the surgery. She’s supposed to be discharged today, so that’s good news! Thank you for your well wishes. 🙂
You’ve been through a time of it! I hope both your mother and Ellis are soon on the mend.
Thank you, Liz! it’s been quite a rough week of this and that.
You’re welcome, Esther.
Wow, you’ve really been going through a lot recently. I really hope everyone recovers well and the person who has an illness recovers too.
Thank you, Pooja, for your well wishes! It’s been quite a whirlwind of events. Another major event this week for a family member getting surgery.
You’re so welcome, that definitely sounds like quite a whirlwind and hope your family gets through everything soon!
What a stressful week you had, Esther. I hope you’ll take a break and get some rest.
Life throws it all at us sometimes. Hope all a bit easier now but you have an interesting blog and stories to tell. Love the blog’s name. Keep singing.
Thank you so much for your encouragement and insight! True, life has challenges…we can’t avoid it.
Hope you keep singing too and take time to smell the lovely flowers outside. 🙂
Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall.” — F. Scott Fitzgerald, “The Great Gatsby” really true quote.
I hope your family gets through everything soon!I hope both your mother and Ellis are soon on the mend.
You will break and get rest. Tack care my friend. 🙏
Nothing wrong with asking God for grace and slowing things down. Praying for you and your family.
Oof 😓 when it rains – it pours! Hang in there friend, I’ll be praying for you 🙏 for strength and stamina and peace and for healing for Ellis and your mom.
I’m a bit behind here in Reader Esther, so my apologies for reading this now. I hope both important ladies in your life are feeling better and on the mend.