Monday, August 04, 2008

Some things you just can't change...

There are some things that just ... are. I don't have the power to change them -- at all.

For instance, I can't change the fact that I was born with thick, coarse, semi-curly hair, and when it is humid (which, by the way ... is pretty much ALL SUMMER LONG), it will frizz, and pretty much "freak out." It doesn't "curl" -- no -- that would be way too wonderful. It looks something like a dead, fuzzy perm, in fact. Yes, I can use styling serums, and I do, but mostly, I don't buck it -- I just throw it up in a french twist with a clip. Done. It's just the way things are.

Then, there's the fact that I'm 5'9". Now, many of you are saying... "5'9"? I'd LOVE to be 5'9"!" And yes, I do love the fact that I'm 5'9" tall. But... if I were, say, 6'5, then the rest of my body would be in total proportion (weight-wise) with my height, and this delicious Mint Mocha Chip Frappuccino that I'm currently enjoying would not be a source of guilt. But sadly, I can't make my body grow another 8". But even 5'9" girls have their own cross to bear... for instance, capris, pants, skirts and dresses are usually way too short. I love flood pants (just above the ankle) but can't find them long enough for me, so they usually look like capris. Let me just say that when I find a pair of pants with the right length to match the waist, I rejoice jubilantly, and treat them as if they were spun from gold! Short people can have longer pants altered to fit properly ... but tall people aren't so lucky.

Oh, and then there's the whole large foot issue... my bones in my foot actually grew while I was pregnant. Not wider from swelling, as is common with most pregnancies, but rather -- longer, as in one whole size longer, but still narrow. My doctor said it is quite common for that to happen, and let me just say, it hurt like crazy! But now I'm a "dainty" size 10 instead of a much more manageable 9. I'm not bitter, honest. But it sure is hard to find shoes in stock at most department stores.

And let's not forget the fact that we all (unless surgically removed) have numerous parts in our body that we don't really need, and can actually do without -- such as our spleen, gall bladder, tonsils... you get my point. And when one of them becomes "sick," you can have it removed, and still function like a champ without it! About 6 years ago, I had my tonsils removed --a painful, nasty surgery for an adult, but I'm so glad I did it because I don't get sick nearly as much as I did before.

Which leads me to my gall bladder.

It must come out.

I have no choice.

And I can't change that.

And I actually WANT that.

I have a stone lodged in the neck of the gall bladder completely blocking it and shutting off its proper function, causing it to contract and go into spasms -- really quite pleasant if you enjoy constant, throbbing pain on a level of a 7 or 8. Nice. And I can't take anything for it, because they want me to be able to "feel the pain" so I can monitor it and if it gets bad enough, go to the emergency room.

So, on Thursday, August 14th, I will loose yet another not-so-necessary-in-the-grand-scheme-of-things body part... and I'm actually happy about it -- praise God!!! This gall bladder is giving me a constant fit of pain, and I can't wait to be rid of it.

Have I mentioned before that I have a pretty LOW tolerance for pain? I haven't? Well, let me mention it now -- HATE PAIN. But I'll welcome the surgery.

Yup. That's what's going on in my life right now. That, and... a rather FABULOUS weekend with Beth Moore.

So ... What's up with you???

8 comments:

kelly jeanie said...

I had my gallbladder removed a couple of years ago. That was some of the worst pain I've ever had. The surgery was a relief, and a piece of cake, actually. You'll do great!

Jen said...

I had mine taken out about 5 years ago. It's rough the first day or two but you will be fine. Good Luck and i will say a prayer for you.

Lori said...

Will be praying for you girl all through that day. From what I hear this will be a relief compared to what you have been going through.

(hugs)

Gretchen said...

Hi.

I'll be praying for your gall bladder issues to be quickly gone and healed on the 14th. I'm sure I'll be following suit. Both my mom and grandma had theirs removed, and I hear it's fairly genetically linked. Plus, I'm "getting to that age". I'm sorry you've been suffering with the pain so.

I really enjoyed your Beth Moore post, too. I was at a Christian scrapbooking retreat last April, and we did the Loving Well "retreat package." She's such a dynamo. God uses her so well!

Blessings on your week.

Barb said...

Oh no, GiBee. Not your gallbladder! Let me tell you, when Rob had the gallbladder attack that ended in emergency surgery to remove it, it was so horrible I called an ambulance and told them my husband was having a heart attack, which I believed.

Same thing with my mother-in-law. I've never seen anyone in so much pain. She was actually on the living room floor, writhing in agony.

And then you know about my poor Krissy having this happen when her baby was less than a week old, after a c-section no less.

I'm so sorry to hear this, but I'm glad it wasn't so acute that you were in the agony I saw half my family go through. I hope they can do the simple surgery - because if they can, you'll be good as new within days instead of weeks. Rob actually went back to work three days after his gallbladder was removed and Krissy was a new person TWO days after hers.

And can I just say thank you? I've been telling my family forever that I had beautiful feet before I got pregnant. Pregnancy turned my feet into something that should be on freaks - ugly! My biggest problem is what it did to my toenails, but no one believes me.

What we do to reproduce! LOL

Lori - Queen of Dirty Laundry said...

Oh girl, I'm right there with you and the gall bladder issues. I had mine out humpteen years ago, but I still remember the pain leading up to the diagnosis.

I'm prayin' for ya!

Sandy said...

Oh my girl, I'll be thinking of you on Aug 14! Thanks for the heads up so we can pray.

Shalee said...

Oh Gibee! I'm so glad I saw this one before the surgery. I'm praying for you and the pain. God has you in the palm of his hand!

Ummm, well, we're doing just fine and dandy compared to you, but I was rough-housing with The Girl tonight and I made her hit her head on the corner of the desk. Blood galore, but it quit bleeding, thanks be to God!

Now, who thinks I'm still in the running for MOTY?

Yeah, that's what I thought too.