And I see the surgeon for a consultation...
...tomorrow morning at 11 a.m.!
That was quick. I think it helps that my doctor's husband is a general surgeon. She asked me a few questions, had her assistant track down the sonogram taken of my gallstone 18 months ago, placed a call to her husband, and presto! I'm in to see the surgeon tomorrow. This will be a consultation, but he already told her that he won't need an additional sonogram - having the one that shows I have a gallstone (which rarely go away) combined with the pain I'm experiencing means there's no worries - he'll be taking it out shortly.
*****UPDATE*****
Surgery is scheduled next Friday, July 7. Woo hoo!!!
******************
Bear with me over the next week or so as I say farewell to a piece of my body. It is so tied into who I've become over the last 18 months, I don't think I can say goodbye in just one or two posts.
I would not be an ultrarunner today if I had not developed gallbladder disease...
Jan. 1, 2005:
April 2006, 65 pounds later:
Jan. 1, 2005:
Feb. 4, 2006, at Pemberton 50k, 65 pounds later:
Jan. 15, 2005: I've lost about 10 pounds from gallbladder disease:
June 10, 2006, at Sugar & Spice 32 mile Ultramarathon, 70 pounds and 850+ miles later:
Jan. 15, 2005:
May 2006:
I am glad that I am healthier, that I am a runner, that I have learned to take care of myself, that I have broken my food addiction. I am the same person I was 18 months ago, yet I am so different.
This is a day for reflection; a beautiful, patient, wise woman in my life is moving away. I am grieving because she will no longer be in my life. She has seen me from the beginning of this journey. She helped me learn that I was a valid and worthy person at 200 pounds; that I am a valid and worthy person at 130 pounds. She facilitated my recovery from PTSD, and taught me how to be strong, how to utilize the resources around me, how to live and have hope for the future. She taught me how to listen to my body, to hear what it was telling me, to not be afraid of the messages it was sending me. She taught me that it's okay to love, to cry, to care, to dance, to move, to express myself. She taught me that everything in life ebbs and flows, like the moon and tides. She helped me discover my voice, my passions, my integrity. She says I did all the work, but I could not have done it without her. Thank you Monica. For everything. Namaste.
Comments
Oh, Angie, what a post! I'm so happy for you - I can't believe it's happening so fast. The pictures tell a remarkable story. And about Monica, the sweet thing is, she knows you can make it without her because you are a strong, strong woman. You are lucky to have had her. I think that we all need a wise woman in our lives - they have something to offer that no one else does. I've had one too, and she's moving away soon. Luckily, she'll be within driving distance and definitely telephone-able!
Posted by: backofpack | June 28, 2006 07:32 PM
Wow Angie. You are my hero for all you've gone through and dealt with over the past 18 months!!
The last few sentences in your post made me tear up! You were so fortunate to have had Monica when you needed her!! Wow. Your journey has been amazing :)
Posted by: Jessica | June 28, 2006 10:08 PM
Wow, you're my hero Angie! I've lost 55 lbs. and can totally relate to at least part of your story. I think you need to write a book about your journey to becoming Wonder Woman, superhero!
Posted by: Jack | June 28, 2006 11:11 PM
what a wonderful post. Your beautiful smile shines through in *every* picture. Good luck with the surgery. I hope it makes you 100%. Sending hugs.
Posted by: susie | June 29, 2006 01:59 AM
Beautiful post- you have had an amazing journey! Good luck with everything today.
Posted by: Jennifer | June 29, 2006 02:29 AM
Those photos really say it all. The transformation -- and dedication it took to get there -- are truly amazing.
Posted by: Anne | June 29, 2006 04:35 AM
You've come a long way, baby!
You're an inspiration. Best of luck to you for your upcoming surgery.
Posted by: Sarah | June 29, 2006 06:36 AM
You have come so far. What a transformation, you look great and have made great changes in your life.
Good luck with the consultation.
Posted by: jkrunning | June 29, 2006 06:57 AM
What a beautiful and amazing post - in so many ways! Keep your feet forward and hold on to the memories and lessons of the past.
Posted by: Ginger Breadman | June 29, 2006 07:30 AM
Pretty dramatic photos there. Way to turn your life around.
Good luck with the surgery.
Posted by: Donald | June 29, 2006 07:52 AM
Inspiring post! Good luck with the surgery and quick recovery. Now you'll lose even more weight, how much does a gall bladder weigh again? Kidding.
Posted by: Mike Salkowski | June 29, 2006 09:56 AM
Truly inspirational. What a story! Congratulations. You rock! Keep running.
Posted by: Quizman | June 29, 2006 01:52 PM
Amazing pictures, but I can see the same wonderful Angie smile all throughout the photos. I hope the results of the surgery are positive and you feel even more alive and healthy.
Posted by: Rob | June 29, 2006 02:15 PM
Wow Angie, you rock. You are truly inspirational!
Posted by: Rafael | June 29, 2006 04:21 PM
those are amazing photos. but what else could they be from such an amazing person? Good luck with preparing yourself mentally for surgery. And that was a beautiful goodbye to your friend.
Posted by: jeanne | June 29, 2006 06:47 PM
Those photos are amazing, and the most amazing aspect is the rate at which the pounds have dropped. I totally admire you for the way you have stuck to the task and not just turned yourself into an ultrarunner, but one who runs big distances at a ver respectable pace.
Oh, and good news on the surgery. Good Luck with that!
Posted by: Thomas | June 30, 2006 05:20 AM
i echo everything that has been said here, angie. you are a very special person and a great inspiration to me. i wish you the best with the surgery.
Posted by: matt | June 30, 2006 02:43 PM
Beautiful post. Powerful words and impressive photos. You've come a long way, baby.
Posted by: Sarah Elaine | July 1, 2006 08:47 PM
Wow!! You have made some changes!!! Awesome, awesome job!! It's not easy to lose weight and you are one hot momma now!!
Onward and upward!
Posted by: Rae | July 3, 2006 07:51 PM
Angie, what a journey you've been on. Good luck with the surgery and the possibilities it brings for the next leg of the journey.
Posted by: darrell | July 5, 2006 08:11 PM