As I’m pondering the gallbladder ultrasound I have to have tomorrow, I’m thinking about Cheryl who documented her gallbladder surgery and then the resulting pancreatitis earlier this year. I have to say that I really admire her because the whole time, she was posting really spiritual entries about how Christ was her light and how her faith was helping her get through it. They weren’t all happy-clappy — they were really genuine and very inspiring.

I’m wishing right now that I had that faith because my journey in this has been much frustration as I’ve fought the flu for the last week and have gone from stomaching almost anything a week ago to having to be on only clear liquids as of Friday night. Saturday morning was hellish as my stomach finally cleared in rather spectacular fashion. (Let’s just say that I’ve decided to keep Jon after he had to clean me up after the laxatives produced severe nausea and I covered the bathroom floor and myself with vomit.) I’m living on popsicles, chicken broth, jello, and ginger ale.

I woke up this morning feeling really dehydrated (as I’d completely forgotten to drink some water each time I woke up last night) and had to down about 48 oz. of liquid before I could be lucid enough to do devotions. My panther and my lion also decided that I should share my chicken broth with them so I had to guard my broth with my life. I planned on listening to some church service this morning on the radio but ended up falling asleep before the LCMS or ELCA ones (at least the ones I’d normally listen to) came on. The fact that I’ve missed church for the second week in a row has occurred on me and I’m honestly missing worship and fellowship and if nothing else, hearing the word preached in person. (I know I live with a pastor but it’s not the same.) I’m thankful for a couple parishioners who have called and sent cards to let me know that I’m being thought about in all of this.

I’m seeing all these food commercials on TV for Applebee’s and Pizza Hut and other places that are making me crave food that involves tons of grease and cheese and meat and fat. My ideal meal at the moment would be a double bacon cheeseburger with the works (onions, pickles, tomatoes), curly fries from Arby’s, and a bottle of Sundrop. I know that eating said meal would cause me to start vomiting and likely end up admitted to the hospital with more gallbladder problems. It would also constitute my calories and fat intake for the week and cause me to gain about 5 lbs by looking at it. However, it would also fill my stomach up and give me that full feeling that I’ve been missing for the last few days.

Prayers for my health would be appreciated as I’m getting really frustrated and am wanting my stomach to return to normal.