The legend of things happening in threes

Have you ever heard someone say, 'uh oh', now two more things are going to happen. They perceive bad things happening in a superstitious way, as though once the world started some shit with you, two more 'shits' were coming. Inevitably, this weird cycle is another type of self fulfilling prophecy, if one believes in such things.

Whatever. It was a Thursday, like any other, my plan was book editing and writing, then a nap and painting through the evenings movies and X-Files with Mike. I got weirdly burning heartburn late in the evening, after he was asleep. I took the usual remedies: Rolaids, Pepto Bismol and whatever cherry antacid stuff.

They barely helped, but I managed to calm it down and go to bed anyway. When I woke up, I was still feeling 'burning' at the top center and right side of my tummy. But, I am one of those people who know better, and eat dairy anyway because 1. I am so used to certain foods and 2. Delicious, obviously. So, I figured, my belly was super upset by my dairy indulgences and was out to teach me a lesson.

Fine.

I cut out all dairy, I even skipped my coffee. (I complained a lot about this). I was so uncomfortable by evening, that I decided to hit the urgent care first thing in the morning, which was Sunday. Here in Utah, most businesses (even the hospital) are pretty dead on Sundays while the Morms attend church. I attend shopping, errands and yes, visits to the urgent care.

February 6, 2026:

The lady doctor was really kind and thorough. She convinced me to allow a blood draw, so we can really try to see whatever is going on. Sigh fine. They did the blood without incident, or upsetting me. The doc asked if I would wait for the results, and I did. I watched shows on Prime that I download for these exact situations. I watched Captain Janeway, another bold woman who loves coffee and may feel violent if she must go without. We love coffee.

My blood test showed some possible abnormality in the gallbladder. I giggled. okay gallbladder Pshh. Dumb. Google: What is a gallbladder?

Oh. Okay. Huh.

She upped my dosage of Omeprazole and I was going to follow up with my doctor. This was Sunday morning, and I remained uncomfortable all day and night.

February 8

Mike took me back to urgent care the following night and urgent care sent me to the emergency dept. The ER did more blood and urine tests. They performed an ultrasound. They I.V. you if you check into the emergency department, so something to keep in mind. After the first few visits, I got really good at quickly throwing a hospital bag together, sweaters, phone holder, whatever crap I might need.

February 13

On Friday the 13th, I had a colonoscopy and endoscopy to explore the problems. That night was the last time we showed up to the ER, I had my bag of stuff and was suffering a great deal. For me to complain and wake my husband, it has to be at least a pain level of seven. I tend to under exaggerate my pain. Suffice it to say I can handle severe pain, for days, but this? This felt wrong somehow, and urgent. I could no longer watch anything, or listen to Mike talking. This was too much and something felt wrong.

When they brought me into the same room as the last four or five times. I got situated in the bed and the doc walked in just as I started vomiting into the blue puke snake thingy.

"Well, hello!"The doc, was actually glad he witnessed the symptoms like that. Ew.

He carefully broke the news to me and I was admitted for surgery in the morning. They gave me a bigger, nicer room, as well as a couple doses of a strong medicine called Dilaudid. I only know that name from a relative who is a regular patient in her town. She's mentioned it as a good drug for severe pain. I would disagree slightly. When they IV the drug, it's like metal oozes from your brain down your neck and arms. I didn't like it at all! Very strange sensation. It knocks you out pretty hard, like you can talk and listen, but you're basically stupid and your head feels floppy. All I can do once they give me that, is to lay down and sleep. Pretty sure I'd fall over if I tried to go pee or anything. It was...bizarre.

But, it got me through the night and my husband and daughter (27), came in the morning once they saw the texts about a surgery. Poor Mike. Poor daughter who's father is in a hospital back east. He had open heart surgery though, but the chances of us both being in hospitals is so random! She was so stressed out, I had my doctor reassure her that this was easy-peasy and hopefully that helped a little.

February 14th 9:00 a.m.

After Dr. Smiley (yeah, that is a cool name) explained all about the surgery to me, as well as follow up questions being explained. She had a kind face and good energy. I felt good about her doing my surgery. I hugged everyone and was rolled somewhere and went to sleep, which I do not recall. I woke up in my room, as though I'd nodded off. Dr. Smiley's nurse was there, smiling at me. I think she had been talking to me before my brain was there. She said the surgery went perfectly and I was rid of that cursed gallbladder. It had been leaking acid into the top of my tummy. Now, there would only be a drip, like a slo IV and that amount is insignificant. Did I mention my surgery was Valentine's Day morning? (Of course it was!) LOL

February 15 -

Since the surgery, I can eat dairy, or anything really and thus far, no upset stomachs! I was told to cut the omeprazole to half doses twice daily. I stopped that weird RX that's a pain in the ass to take at all. I can have coffee with real creamer! I learned a lot throughout this experience and wanted to share a few things:

What is a colonoscopy like? The prep you do for three days prior is the worst part.

Can I drive myself? No. They require you bring a driver and they must show I.D.

Why is the 'prep' so bad? You drink a 'poop everything out until it's clear liquid' cocktail, and you have to fast. (ex: Wednesday after dinner through Friday afternoon).

The probing itself... You will not feel violated. They talk to you before everything starts. The anesthesiologist double checks all the facts with you, to ensure your safety. Then, they roll you into a dimly lit room which is sterile and everyone is in full surgical clothing, face masks and eye goggles. They help you get comfortable and into the sideways sleep pose. Do not worry if you might still have poop 'in-there'. These people are pros, and they've seen it all before.

After the alien probe: suddenly, you are waking up, back in the room where you spoke to everyone before. Your nurse is standing there talking to you. You ask a question and they laugh because this is the fifteenth time you asked that question. You become more aware and your bum feels fine, as if nothing happened. You wake up a bit more and get dressed (with help) and leave. That's it. You don't even notice that it happens and then you're done.

Why should you get a colonoscopy? Because if you do these, they catch the bad before it becomes something TO worry about. We have cancers in my family, and they found two pollups which were promptly removed. (Pollups are like tiny body mushrooms that can be dormant or cancerous.) Mine were dormant. Just look on google and see what you think. For me, this was not as big a deal as I thought. When they tell me to do another one in a few years, I will only dread the drinking and pooping circus. The rest was easy and painless.

What medical stuff are you terrified of?

-Mine used to be giving blood, but I think pap smears win out over most medical things I've personally experienced.

And remember, I do stuff so you know what to expect!

-Holly