Ice Chips & Christmas

On By Baydreamer - Lauren ScottIn Discussion, Health

Dear Friends,

I finally had my ERCP last Thursday – the procedure I had to repeat (after an incomplete try in October), and then wait six weeks for. Anyway, it went smoothly this time. I had no moments of consciousness, knowing there was a tube down my throat causing panic. The Good news is the positive outcome….no auto-immune liver disease or cancer. The cause for my attack and hospital stay in September was another pesky gallstone in the bile duct. I’m SO grateful for this diagnosis.

ercp Nov 29 2018

I will say though, that if you’ve had your gallbladder out, know that gallstones can appear in the bile duct, which can be dangerous. If the bile duct becomes blocked then the bile stays in the liver making it sick. Not a good thing. I’ve learned a lot since my daughter’s auto-immune liver disease diagnosis six years ago. Things I never cared to know.

Anyway, they kept me overnight for monitoring, so I was home in the comfort of my own bed late Friday afternoon. Since then, I had some unpleasant after effects, but I’m feeling better now. To rest and eat lightly are doctor’s orders for a couple of weeks. I can do that. 🙂

Image result for chicken noodle soup

What remains surreal is that I’ve endured similar symptoms my daughter experiences with her disease. Maybe it’s the mom in me that has to truly feel the pain my daughter feels. I don’t know, but it’s very strange and coincidental. I have to add again that all of this is non-alcoholic related. Gallstones can cause havoc! 

Needless to say, I’ve lost momentum for blogging, and at this point, I’ve decided to take December off from WordPress to focus on a little “me time” and the Christmas season upon us. I will miss all of you, but I’ll look forward to returning in the new year refreshed and invigorated. Wow, 2019! Time, she is a flyin’!

So, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year full of new adventures, possibilities, and lots of Love! Lauren ❤🎅🎁🌲

Xmas 2017

Photo #1 – my hospital stay
Photo #2 – Google
Photo #3 – Copper during Christmas 2017 (my dog) 

P.S. I also have to express how grateful we are for the outstanding team of doctors at Kaiser. 

77 thoughts on “Ice Chips & Christmas”

    1. Thanks, John. I still don’t have my energy back. It’s amazing how everything affects it. Anyway, Merry Christmas to you and your family, too, and see you next year. 🎉😊

      Reply

  4. Lauren, I’m so happy for you … it’s been a terribly worrisome time for you and at last some answers and help. Now I hope you’re good at following doctor’s orders of rest and recuperation. Not only have you been ill but it’s been an extremely stressful time for you. Wishing you a healing and joyful Christmas. Love & hugs xx 😀🤗

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    1. Thanks, Annika. You are right, but we’re all so relieved with the good news. I’m back to work but taking it slowly. My energy is still low, but at least I can get out and about. I think it takes two weeks to fully recover. Anyway, wishing you and your family a joyful Christmas, too, my friend. Love and hugs back. ❤😊🎅

      Reply

    1. It doesn’t mean you will, Andrew, but it’s something to be aware of. I sure was surprised when I had pancreatitis and learned it was from a gallstone in the bile duct. And then the same thing occurring this year…Take care and have a wonderful holiday, too. See you next year!

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      2. I know you’ve been through a lot, too. At least you’re aware of this and something to alert the doctors about. If I hadn’t mentioned PSC, they wouldn’t have checked for it because it’s so rare. But because of our daughter’s history and my symptoms almost parallel with hers, I had to be my own advocate. Anyway, take care of yourself and enjoy your holiday.

  6. Oh, Lauren! This is such good news! I´m so relieved and happy for you! Don´t worry about taking a time-out, I´m doing the same as you know and just happened to see your post because I was replying to some comments on my blog. 🙂
    Take your time, heal and rest! Sending you much love, positive energy and many wishes for a wonderful and peaceful holiday season! Hugs! xoxo

    Reply

    1. Thanks for stopping by on your break, too, Sarah, and for all your comforting words. I hope you’re doing better, also. I’m still fatigued but able to work and drive, etc., just going slower than usual. Sending you lots of love and hugs and uplifting light, my friend. Know I’m here if you need a friend. Merry Christmas and see you next year! 💗🎄🎅

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  7. Dear Lauren, it is so good to hear you are home and resting and your diagnosis is something the doctors can sort with time.
    I do so understand both your angst about your daughter and fear of what they would find inside you.

    I have read up about the procedure you had and am glad they kept you sedated. Oddly, I am going in for gastroscopy on Wednesday and here we get precious little help to stop the gagging. You have now helped me as nobody has taken into account that I had the gallbladder removed as young.
    This could be the cause of pain. I will mention the biliary duct to them.

    Now, you obey orders, take it really easy and recover your strength. Nobody will go away.
    Thinking of you

    Miriam

    Reply

    1. Thanks for all your comforting words, Miriam, and how did Wednesday go for you? Finding a gallstone in the bile duct was news to me, so I’m grateful to make others aware also. I hope you’re doing okay. I’ve also had an endoscopy, but for me, it was less stressful or invasive than the ERCP. Still, the concept is the same, which creates the gagging. But you should’ve been sedated to avoid the gagging anyway. I was before that could even happen.
      You’ll be in my thoughts and prayers, and I am back to work and able to drive, but moving slowly as my energy still isn’t up to par. It takes a couple of weeks and it’s been one week today. 🙂 Anyway, Merry Christmas to you and yours and I’ll see you next year. Take care, dear friend…💖🎄

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  8. Wishing you a comfy Christmas and speedy recovery Lauren. Its good to know that all has been sorted out and all you need is rest and care. Love and gentle hugs dear friend. Have a wonderful holiday.

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    1. Thanks so much, Balroop, for your soothing words. I’m taking it slowly but able to work, drive, etc. Still waiting for my energy to return, though. Patience. 🙂 Sending love and hugs to you and wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas. See you in 2019. 💕🎅

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    1. Thanks so much, Alison. We’re all so relieved with this good news. The anticipation was sure to kill me. 🙂 It’s amazing the dark places our minds can take us…Anyway, I wish you and your family a wonderful Christmas and see you next year. 💕🎄🎅

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    1. Thanks, Betty! It’s been a long wait, hasn’t it? All that thinking and speculating can wear a person down. 🙂 Thanks for all your support again! Anyway, I’m better but still fatigued, so moving slowly. I hope you’re feeling good, too. Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas, also, and talk later via email. Love and hugs, my dear friend…💖🎄🎅🤶

      Reply
  12. Jane Sturgeon

    A ‘good’ diagnosis, lovely Lauren, if there is such a thing. Wrapping you in healing love and here’s to a wonderful new year for you and your loved ones, full of delight and wonder. Huge, soft hugs and much 💗 always 😘 Xxxx

    Reply

    1. Yes, there is, and this is definitely it, Jane. 🙂 Thanks so much for your lovely and comforting words, and I wish you all the same for this holiday season and for the new year to come. Love and hugs to you, dear friend..💗😊🌷✨

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    1. Thanks so much, Ian. I’m grateful to make others aware, too, although, it’s not a “for sure” thing that this will occur. I just happen to be prone to gallstones. Hopefully, your wife won’t go through this. We do have to be our own advocates though when in the hospital. If I didn’t mention PSC (my daughter’s disease) they wouldn’t have thought of it because it’s so rare. But with similar symptoms, I had to know. Anyway, I’m happy with this good news and feeling better, but still very tired. Patience. Take care and have a wonderful holiday.

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  16. That’s great that it turned out to only be gallstones and not something much worse. Still no picnic, though. And also a very strange coincidence with your daughter’s disease.

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    1. Thanks, Binky, and you’re right, still no picnic as gallstones in the bile duct carry their own fair amount of seriousness. But, knowing it’s not cancer or PSC is much better and a big relief. You can see why I thought of PSC with such similar symptoms as my daughter’s. Still very strange, but life is that way sometimes. 🙂 I wish you and the Wombies a wonderful Christmas and see you next year. Eat lots of chocolate during the holidays, too. 🙂 🎄🍰🎅🤶

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  17. deborah harper

    Once again, so thankful for your ERCP results, You’ve learned a lot from all this , hope you have a peaceful Christmas & wonderful New Year sis!
    Luv ya,
    Debbie

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    1. Thanks, Deb! We’re all so happy with this news; it’s been a long ride of anticipation. And we all need a break at times, so this seemed to be a good time for me. 🙂 Enjoy yours, too, Merry Christmas! See you next year! Love and hugs! 💗🎄

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  19. Very happy that everything turned out as well as can be, Lauren. Praise and thank the Lord.

    Yes, you need a well-deserved break. Keep well. Rest well.

    Luv and hugz from a friend,
    Eric

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    1. Thanks so much, Eric. It was a long wait and now it’s over with good news. So grateful! Wishing you and your family a blessed holiday and see you next year. Luv and hugz to you, too, dear friend. 😊🎅🤶

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  23. I am glad you are okay (enough). You might chk out N.A.E.T.
    Go to naet dot com. The noninvasive treatments cure everything. And I choose my words carefully – yes, I mean cure, although it may take a while.

    Take care, L.

    Xxx

    Reply

    1. Thanks for your kind words, Barbara. I’m so grateful all that is now behind me and I’m feeling healthy again. Our health is not to be taken lightly, as we probably don’t realize until we’re older. 🙂 My Christmas and New Year’s were wonderful and I hope yours were the same.
      I’m not sure when I’ll return yet to blogging; I have so many projects that need completing, both writing and on the home front. Anyway, take care and Happy 2019! xoxo

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      1. I appreciate all your support, Lauren. We had a very nice holiday and now it’s back to a normal schedule, which I don’t mind. Hope to see you back in the blogging world soon!

  26. Good to hear your procedure went well, Lauren. Some things might run in the family, and good on you for getting checked out and keeping an eye on your health. Hope you had a good rest and take it easy in 2019 🙂

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  27. I came by not having seen anything for a while Lauren, and perfectly understand.. Really pleased to read nothing sinister found.. My sister-in-law had her gallbladder removed.. So I can understand what you have been going through.. Just know I send you all the best and have been intermittent in visiting many bloggers this year, concentrating on my crafts more Love and well wishes..
    Sue ❤ ❤

    Reply

    1. Thanks, Sue, and no, nothing sinister. In fact, I’m back to good health, thankful for that! I appreciate you thinking of me and hope you’re doing well working on your crafts. I’m working on some writing projects and blogging unfortunately is time-consuming. I’m not sure when I’ll return, but I miss you and think of you often. Sending lots of love your way, too. xoxoxo (p.s. I hope your sister-in-law is doing well in recovery. Those gallstones are relentless.)

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      1. Oh so good to know.. I too am here less and less,… I even contemplated just vanishing … But I am still here 🙂 Sending LOVE and yes thank you my sister-in-law is much better these days thank you ❤

      2. I’m glad she’s doing much better, Sue. As to WP, I’m honestly not sure if I’ll return or not. Then again, I’ve thought that before and have returned. So I just don’t know. 🙂 Right now, I have to continue checking off boxes so that I feel productive. Just know you’re missed and enjoy your creative process, too. Have a good weekend, also! xoxoxo

    1. Hi Sue! Thanks for checking in. I’ve been busy writing for a writing group that meets once a month, mainly personal essays, along with working on another book to self publish. This one will be a small selection of poems and a few stories. I’m loving this experience. I’ve also entered some writing contests, so blogging still sits on the back burner. 🙂 All is fine though. Wishing you the same, my friend, and how are you? xoxoxo

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      1. Oh that is wonderful to know, Wishing you every success with your writing both in your group meetings and your book Lauren..
        Sending HUGE Hugs your way and good to know alls well.. ❤

    1. I’m fine now, Heather, and thank you! I’m in a writing group that I’ve been writing for, along with working on another book and entering writing contests. So, blogging is still on the back burner. How’s your beautiful voice and you doing? 🙂 xo

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    1. Hi, Lane! Thanks so much for contacting me. I’m all fine now and can’t believe it’s been over a year since I blogged. How are you doing with this virus? I’m thinking of posting something soon, so we shall see. Hope you’re staying safe and healthy. xo

      Reply

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