When Linda J. was here visiting me last September, she was having some troubles with her tummy or digestion. Over and over she apologized for it but I was glad for her to feel better after burping. My concern was that the German foods we enjoyed for our Oktoberfest dinner held during her time here caused the problem. She assured me it had begun before she traveled. Well, that's good, but not really, you know?
After Linda got home and returned to normal business, the problems seemed to escalate, resulting in pain and misery for her, sometimes all day, sometimes less time. The medical folks were stymied as to the cause, offering her prescriptions and over the counter treatments to help alleviate or even prevent an episode. Poor Linda hesitated to make longer-term plans because of not knowing how she'd feel.
Every day I spoke to her I wanted to know how she was feeling and while she felt like she was whining about it, I needed to know. Occasionally a week would go by without a problem and we'd (I'd) think it was finally over, but nope. It was incredibly frustrating to have the various doctors not be able to give her answer on what was going on.
Last night Linda and I chatted via Facebook and she was feeling pretty good. When we parted company, she was going to sit in her chair with her feet up. My last words to her were that I was going to pray for her tummy troubles to be resolved.
We didn't chat this morning before church like we usually do but I didn't think much of it. She leaves for church much earlier than do I, so I figured she just didn't have time. I was packing up my stuff from the table at Bible study when my phone went off. My sister, Jill, with whom I'd chatted this morning, was calling. She asked me, "Did you know Linda had surgery?" WHAT?? I sat right back down with my face in my hands, stricken by this news. I told her I did not and told Jill when we'd spoken last night, all was fine. Guess that didn't last!
Jill called me right after their service to tell me. The pastor had said a prayer for Linda and all were stunned by this news. After hanging up with Jill, I sent Tommy a text message, asking what was up. I feared some sort of intestinal resection had taken place or even worse, which Linda and I always tried not to talk about. Tommy messaged back that Linda was doing fine (he had gone to church that morning which helped me believe him) and would have her phone back by 11:30. I could hardly wait!
At the lunch table at Chili's I got permission from my companions to text her. She replied that she was feeling great (who feels great after surgery??). All this while her problem was an umbilical hernia!! I am no stranger to them, having had two repairs myself, but hers was done at 2:30 a.m. via arthroscopic surgery and that was why she had no pain. All these months of fiddling around with this and it was so simple. Ugh!
Apparently after we had disconnected last night she got violently ill and finally Tom called the doctor. The Dr. said to go to the ER and the rest is now history. A scan found the hernia and now it's gone! Hence, the dancing around my room. When we spoke this late afternoon her voice was raspy from having been intubated but it was minor. Linda might be going home tomorrow afternoon and for now is enjoying liquids yet until she can tolerate regular foods.
She cannot believe how good she feels, this is just wonderful. What a relief---and an answer to the prayer of Saturday night/Sunday morning, in His time! I sure do hope my neighbors don't mind my dancing!!!
