Pain and Blessings

Last night, around 11:30 PM, I woke up in a tremendous amount of pain. It was the same thing that had woken me up at 4:00 AM the day before, but that had been minor. This one was much worse, akin to an attack that I had a year and a half ago that had me home from work for a week. That had been diagnosed as acid reflux, and knowing we wre going to be a bit less careful on our diet with visitors this weekend, I had already started Prilosec OTC. It didn't help. I spent the night in agony. As a religious man, I pleaded with my Heavenly Father to take the pain away. It sometimes lessened a little, but not enough to let me sleep.

Bubbles, the amazingly sweet and supportive wife she always is, went and got Pepto for me at 5:00 AM when the first store opened. It didn't help. Finally I consented to go to the emergency room at 6:00 AM, and away we went.

I explained the acid reflux thing, but they weren't sure. After all, acid reflux can have the same symptoms as a gall bladder attack, but the things I'd done should have calmed acid reflux.

Thankfully, they gave me strong pain killers (narcotics through an IV can really take care of severe pain quickly). I had to remember to breathe because my body didn't want to do it automatically, but the pain was subdued.

The doctor had some blood work done and ordered an ultrasound. It turned out, as he put it, that I had more gall stones in there than he could count. How's that a blessing, you might ask.

Well, first of all, nothing was inflamed or infected, so no emergency surgery was required. I'll be able to schedule a surgery. That's a blessing, because although most surgeons do great work any under circumstance, a prepped laporoscopic procedure means a rested surgeon ready to work and a quick recovery.

The second blessing was how my prayers were answered. I was pleading to have my pain taken away, and I meant right then. As usual, Heavenly Father had bigger, better plans. By allowing me to suffer for a few hours, I got the proper diagnosis and will have my gall bladder removed, ending these attacks forever. I'll still watch my diet because I should anyway, but instead of having to watch out for acid reflux the rest of my life, I'll have a simple, routine procedure and never have to worry about these hideously painful episodes again. He didn't answer me by taking away the pain of one incident. He answered by making sure the proper diagnosis was procured and after a surgery, I'd never have this problem again. Now that's an answer to prayer.

I also appreciate that our trials are not more severe than they are. I'm so grateful I'm not handed more than I can bear. A gall bladder? That's a trial I can handle with His help. There are much worse things from which He has kindly spared me.