How I'm Doin'

So 17 days ago I had my gallbladder removed. How you doin', woman? How are you feeling this far out?

My gallbladder surgery involved four incisions: one in the middle of my chest, two in the side, and one in my belly button.

This is a picture of myself that I took last week.

Last week

Don't I look terrible?

I was pretty sick the week before my surgery and I have dropped some weight. The weight loss, while welcome, makes me look a little worse for the wear. The lack of makeup doesn't help any either. Also, I'm still fat even though I have lost a few pounds. There ain't no gettin' around that. I yam what I yam. I have been good about my diet since I came home from the hospital, though, and have continued to shed a few more pounds. I hope that continues.

Today

Today my belly looks worse than it did when I took that picture last week, because I've had an allergic reaction to my sutures or something, and there is an itchy rash all over my stomach.  The rash was just starting when I had my post-op visit last week, and has only grown worse. If it isn't better by Thursday, I guess I will need to return to the doctor.


I had some minor complications with my surgery. I've had a number of previous operations and I had a lot of scar tissue. The end result is a pretty long incision at my belly button, longer than normal, because the surgeon had to cut around the scar tissue.

I've also had some difficulty with my asthma during these two weeks. That began in the hospital after surgery and has continued sporadically. I am hoping it will calm down soon.

However, the pain in my belly is lessening every day, and that is good news. If I can get the rash to go away, I will be feeling much better.

Today I did a little writing and on Wednesday I plan to resume teaching at the community college. I have two more class sessions that I need to finish up. Hopefully a lot of makeup will make me look a little better.

This is how I am. I hope you're all doing well.