Democrat & Chronicle: Living: My life my words: Pam Finger

Democrat & Chronicle: Living: "It all began on Sept. 12 as a routine laproscopic gallbladder removal. I breezed through the pre-op procedures and the surgery, and I went home that evening in very little pain, looking forward to enjoying two weeks off from work to recover. Thirty-six hours later, I awoke in excruciating pain and begged my husband to drive me back to the surgeon's office.
After an exam and a series of tests, it was determined that I had developed a bile leak, which happens in less than 1 percent of cases. I was readmitted to the hospital and spent much of that week on a morphine pump. I was sent home after a week, only to be readmitted two days later with more pain. I had more tests and procedures and two tubes inserted in my side to help drain the bile, in all spending 16 days in the hospital. Each day I felt a little stronger, and I was able to return to work on a part-time basis on Oct. 24.
In many ways, I felt like I had lost a month of my life. I came out of the hospital disappointed to see people putting out their pumpkins and fall decorations while in my mind I was still ready to take one last summer swim. I've had much time to think over these past 12 weeks, and this is what I've learned.... "

Wide variation in using laparoscopic surgery for gall bladder removal

Wide variation in using laparoscopic surgery for gall bladder removal: "the laparoscopic approach has become the method of choice for elective gallbladder removal, conventional open cholecystectomy still remains the treatment of choice for acute cholecystitis for many surgeons -- mainly because of concerns about bile duct injuries and an excessively high conversion rate."

Coffee - Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down?

Coffee � Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down? | Christianpost.com- Christian News Online , Christian World News: "In terms of health, there are pros and cons of drinking coffee. Let�s examine the pros first. A recent study funded by the American Cocoa Research Institute, says coffee drinkers appear to have higher levels of antioxidants. Antioxidants protect the body against various types of cancers. Another research study conducted in 2004 showed that regular coffee consumption lowered the risk of type 2 diabetes. The mechanism as to why this occurred is unclear and further research into this area needs to be conducted. Other studies have shown that coffee may reduce the risk of developing gallstones, it may prevent the development of colon cancer, it can be beneficial for people with Parkinson�s disease and it may improve cognitive function.

But, there is a downside to coffee consumption."

Coffee - Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down?

Al Unser was hospitalized in his hometown of Albuquerque last month for treatment of pancreatitis and gallstones

TSN.ca - Auto Racing - Canada's Sports Leader: "Unser was hospitalized in his hometown of Albuquerque last month for treatment of pancreatitis and gallstones, but the liver operation became necessary after a biopsy disclosed the tumor.
Doctors removed half of Unser's liver and his gall bladder in the Colorado procedure, his wife said. Gall bladder surgery initially had been scheduled for last month in New Mexico.

''But they never got that far with the gall bladder,'' Susan Unser said. ''They found the tumour when they did a CT scan. That's when they found his gallstones, but they also found this cancer.''"

Gallstones - MayoClinic.com

Gallstones - MayoClinic.com: "Like many people, you may have gallstones and not know it. In fact, gallstones - solid deposits of cholesterol or calcium salts that form in your gallbladder or nearby bile ducts - often cause no symptoms and require no treatment. But some people with gallstones will have a gallbladder attack that can cause symptoms such as nausea and an intense, steady ache in their upper middle or upper right abdomen. In some cases, the pain can be severe and intermittent."

my gallbladder and me

"I broke a rib, so I went in to make sure that was what was hurting. Dr. agreed with me but he thought an ultra-sound was in order to make sure that I hadn't damaged any organs. The report said that my organs were fine but my gall bladder was full of stones. great.
I had the surgery last Tuesday. It was supposed to be a walk in the park.right. They did it laproscopically so recovery time is minimal. After the surgery, about an hour after I came out of the anesthesia, they told me 'you don't need to be here to sleep, you can do that at home.'
They removed a gangrenous gall bladder full of the 30 stones. Good thing I got it taken care of I guess. Linda took me to surgery and was there to bring me home. God bless her.
The next night I had to go to the Emergency Room. I was in terrible pain that the Percocet just didn't hit, I was nauseous, I had a difficult time even catching a breath to breathe, and I had a fever of 103.7 and rising. I was scared. I think Ed was too.
The quickly plugged me into the oxygen, took vials of blood, hooked me up to that 'juice bag on a stick'. I was dehydrated. I think they gave me another one also. They did a new urinalyis. At some point the fever broke. I was drenched and so was the bed. The gave me something like Valium in the drip to get me calmed down and breathing correctly. They finally were satisfied that there was enough oxygen in my blood and that I was hydrated enough. My meds were changed. It looked like I was going to pull through."
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This author of this story reminded me of my worst attacks when she mentioned difficulty catching a breath. I had this experience too but I haven't read much about this symptom of a bad gallstone attack.

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Earn your college degree online

I have gallstones. Does that mean I can't take the pill?

Q. I have gallstones. Does that mean I can't take the pill?

A. Women who take the pill and have gallstones have a greater likelihood of having a gallbladder attack. If you want to use hormonal contraception, the patch or vaginal ring would be a better option. "

Detoxing helps get rid of body's many stresses

metronews: lifestyle: "We are constantly exposed to external toxins. Our bodies are burdened with drug residues. Chemicals and heavy metals such as mercury have infected our air, water, and food. Low-level electromagnetic radiation fields - coming from microwaves, televisions, radios, electrical outlets and power lines - surround us in and outside of our homes.
Even our metabolism, especially when we eat high-protein foods, naturally generates toxic by-products. When wastes such as uric acid gradually accumulate in our tissues, our bodies' pH levels become too acidic, which contributes to aging and numerous chronic illnesses. 'Our bodies and organs are always engaged in the process of detoxing,' says Rahima Hirji, ND and manager of the Robert Schad Naturopathic Clinic. 'A detox program helps de-stress the body by supporting its attempts to expel its toxic burden.'
Detoxes may target specific organs and systems, such as the liver, gallbladder, bowels, kidneys, skin, respiratory and cardiovascular system. For chemical or heavy metal detoxification, the whole body will be targeted.
Detoxification can be especially beneficial for people with weak immune systems, fatigue, chronic symptoms (e.g. headache, sinusitis, arthritis), bad breath, gallstones, poor digestion, hormone imbalance, skin problems, allergies, depression, memory problems, fibromyalgia, occupational chemical exposure and amalgam fillings."