Another Long Day in the ER

 

Jim had a lot of discomfort again last night, and when it hadn’t eased up this morning he decided he couldn’t wait until Tuesday to see the doctor. So off we went to the Mayo Clinic, and another day sitting in the ER. At least it was a much more modern and attractive ER than the one in Blythe, CA.

After blood tests and an ultrasound, the surgeon came in to talk to us. He said the stone was in the neck of the gallbladder, and the walls were thickened, indicating chronic inflammation. He recommended surgical removal, and they even thought they might get him on the schedule for this evening. Unfortunately that didn’t work out, but he was admitted, give IV antibiotics and a heparin injection, and will have the surgery tomorrow. In fact, he just called and said the surgeon was by to see him and he is on the schedule for noon tomorrow, but it could be earlier.

So far we’ve been very impressed with the Mayo Clinic, unlike the Blythe ER where the doctor told Jim to get followed up in the next few days, and wouldn’t even give him a prescription for pain medication.

So he is spending the night in a lovely private room with a nice view of Scottsdale and the surrounding mountains and I am spending the night in the rig with the cats. It seems odd, as this will be the first time in over 2 years we haven’t slept in the same bed together.

Several friends who’ve had their gallbladder removed told us they were sent home the day of surgery but didn’t feel like they should have been. Here, they keep you overnight, so by the time he comes home on Sunday maybe he will be feeling better. I’m so glad we came to the Phoenix area!