It has been just over 2 months since I had my gallbladder removed, and while I think I am still in recovery mode, I can see that it has had a positive effect on my ostomy. I have suffered for years with loose output, which because of timing, I assumed was related to my cancer treatment. In fact, it seems to have been caused by gallbladder issues - I just didn’t know that. I still have to watch my fat intake, but overall, I am finding it so much easier now to manage my output. Too much fat can still cause loose output, but generally, a little fat doesn’t cause problems. My Imodium intake is way down - from 4 per day to maybe 4 per week. I’m still in the process of discovering what I can and cannot eat, so it feels like starting from scratch, but I can already see that I’m better off.

 We had another cancer scare in the family. Our son was diagnosed with testicular cancer in November. He had noticed some swelling in one testicle and went to see his GP when it didn’t improve. She sent him straight to ER, and long story shortened, within 2 weeks he’d had diagnostics, blood work, and surgery to remove the testicle. The fast pace was difficult for a 33 year old to get his head around, but I shudder to think of the alternative. He’s now had follow up consultations with the surgeon and with the oncologist, and there is good news: no treatment because it was caught early. Just close surveillance for several years. After holding our collective breath for 3 months, we are very, very relieved. I guess the takeaway from this story is the importance of early diagnosis - this could have been so much worse. When in doubt, see your doctor.

Some day soon, I will be able to laugh at our December 2023 - my gallbladder surgery was 2 weeks after my son’s surgery, and since we brought him to our place so we could look after him, my poor husband was stuck looking after the two of us. Ai yi yi! 

Laurie