It's not that I'm pissed or anything.

First surgery is scheduled for this coming tues, the 23rd. depending on the outcome the remaining surgeries could happen all next week. Had it not been for the G.P. intervening on Diane's behalf she would not have seen the Internist/G.I. until the 30th of this month and that would have been to schedule the 1st surgery which would then occur sometime after that.

Well personally, I've loved each and every post. I know they were all well-meant according to the sender's way of communicating.

There is some doctor bashing I plan on doing, but I need to accept responsibility for the major delay because I missed two appointments with the gastroenterologist. My only excuse is that I was in constant pain and couldn't concentrate on anything--still that was all on me.

My rant is that during all the pain of the gall bladder, I was also complaining about the severe diarrhea I was experiencing. I mentioned it to my GP, then to the surgeon he sent me to, but neither seemed to give it much credence. Meanwhile, time passed and the diarrhea continued and I, after six weeks of this, had lost around 27 pounds (loved the weight loss, just not the method).

Finally, when I got in to see a gastroenterologist, the nurse practitioner who was taking all the information, expressed concern about the diarrhea (Oh happy day) and ordered some blood and stool samples. The very next day, on Saturday, an actual doctor called to tell me that I have an intestinal parasite and will need to go on medication for ten days. Still don't know if it will interfere with the operation scheduled for Tuesday. He did say that this was quite serious and had to be cleared up as soon as possible. I felt like saying, "No ****, Sherlock!" but thanked him for the call and felt much better at least knowing what I had and that it really was something completely separate from the gall bladder business.

Now we need to find out if the surgery can proceed on Tuesday. This surgery is for a stone lodged in the bile duct, which can be life threatening. The operation to remove the gall stone will be a laparoscopy, very simple and I'm in and out the same day.

I'm not too upset with the doctors--they needed all sorts of tests, ultrasound, MRI, blood, before proceeding. Also, because of the MRI, they discovered the stone in the bile duct, which is the most serious issue of all.

What struck me about all this is that, while I called both my GP and the surgeon and mentioned the seriousness of the diarrhea, it was the nurse practionioner who took me seriously and ordered a priority test for intestinal diseases. I had always known that it was something completely separate--thank heaven she took me seriously.

That is a good example of why I prefer women doctors. They listen more intently and take the patient seriously. I've had a couple who weren't very good, but overall, the best have been women--and their nurse pratitioners.

Finally, huge hugs and thanks to all who have sent best wishes. It has been said before, but there is really something about friends on a2k who seem to have a combined presence that feels positive and strenthening. Whatever it is, it is remarkable and very real.

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{ Love back to all of you. }}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

My best wishes and prayers are with Lady Diane in this difficult moment. One's patience and endurance are certainly taxed by things like this and - as Dyslexia's helpmate & lover she can't possibly have much of those precious commodities to spare.

Such great support makes all good things possible.