Yesterday morning I woke up with a nagging pain in my abdomen. I got out of bed and took some antacid thinking maybe that might help. Over the next few minutes the pain intensified from a dull ache to a full on searing pain in my upper abdomen right below my sternum. Normally I have to have my arm twisted to go to a doctor but 5 minutes later the pain was so bad I woke Michael up to take me to the hospital. I am so grateful Michael was here to take me to the hospital otherwise I would have had to call an ambulance. No way could I have driven myself. The pain continued to increase to completely intolerable. I can't even remember most of the ride to the hospital. Of course the ER is backed up and it takes probably 30-45 minutes before I can be seen. Meanwhile the pain is so bad I am freaking out and screaming into my jacket, crying and pretty much acting like a fool. I was covered in sweat and doing lamaze breathing just to keep from going insane.I am sure everyone in the ER thought I was being a complete baby but seriously this was the 2nd worse pain I have ever felt. The first was when I had a kidney stone. I pretty much thought I was done for because I couldn't imagine how this was going to turn out good for me.
Anyway, by the time they get to see me the pain had actually started subsiding. Thank the Gods! The most intense pain passed and I was left with a duller pain that I could tolerate and at least speak in complete sentences.
Blood draws, IV starts, IV fluids, an EKG and an ultrasound later the doctor told me I have gallstones. Stones as in more than one. Luckily there didn't seem to be an infection though my white count was slightly up.  He gave me a prescription for Vicodin and the name of a surgeon.
I am grateful to know what is going on but anyway...FUCK! I have insurance but it won't cover everything. I am still paying for the CT and MRI I had to get this past summer. Plus, I am terrified of surgery.
Fuck my life.