July 7, 2103

Last night we got home from our cross country trip. We unloaded a few things, plugged in Flyer, tucked the kids in their own beds then settled in to relax a bit before going to bed ourselves.

About 10:30pm I started to have what I thought was heartburn which progressed into very sharp abdominal pains that felt like a giant knife being driven in just below my sternum. Add to that a crushing feeling all the way around to the back as if someone was pulling apron strings super tight.

First I found a few Tums then I took an Advil and tried to get some rest. The pain subsided a little but by 5 am I couldn’t take it anymore. I woke Sparky, told him we needed to go to the ER now and that I thought I could die.

We dragged the kids from bed and rushed to our local hospital, me pushing on Sparky’s leg to make him go faster. For those who know Sparky they know this isn’t necessary and for those who have followed our trip know he got pulled over for speeding in Flyer so that may be an indication of his comfort with speed. Needless to say for a few moments I truly thought death could occur and even birthing a child was not this painful.

It has been so long since I’ve been to the ER that I wasn’t even in their system even though I have lived in this area most of my life.

Lots of hours in the ER later I final had relief and was headed home. Too bad we didn’t think to hop in Flyer to come to the ER. The kids could have gone back to sleep in the parking lot and had access to snacks and activities while I got medicated inside. Did you know I can’t stand even taking an Advil?

It ended up being, what they think was a gallbladder attack. Fine way to end a trip. But at least we were home when it happened.

I am fine and nothing came of the attack. Maybe a stone formed from my not so healthy eating on our trip after a handful of months of a pretty strict food plan prior. If a stone moved it was gone when I went back for a follow-up ultrasound a few days later.

So all is well that ends well.