Tag Archives: gallstones

A Couple of Setbacks

Kaiser Moanalua Hospital

Just a quick update to my health. I am good. Over the past 18 months or so I have lost more than 50 pounds as I adjusted my diet and did more to in terms of physical activity – like walking every day at least up to last month.

On May 16 I had some severe tummy cramping, so much that I had to make a run to the emergency room. After examination, it was found that I had gallstones. Ugh. Painful. They gave me some pain pills afterward and scheduled me for a follow-up visit.

The E-R’s doctor short answer is that I may need gallstone surgery.

I have to go and see the gallstone doctor this coming week. I was told the guy is so busy that his appointments are like stacked up for months ahead. In the meantime people who are afflicting with recurring gallstone pain have to suffer?

Fortunately since my “attack” on May 16, I have suffered no major pain in the area. One of my friends told me to drink apple cider and lemonade. I am not an apple cider kind of guy but I do love lemonade. I also just love eating lemons as is.

So shortly after that incident I started eating a half lemon every day. While scientific studies have shown that a lemon diet does not get rid of gallstones, I would have to disagree in the fact that since starting I have been good. No pain. I don’t know exactly what is going on, but the pure lemon seems to be working.

When life gives you lemons... On another front, I recently got a part time job in the retail industry which requires several hours of standing. I am not used to standing for long periods of time. My feet hurt. By the end of the day, I am usually in pain and am so happy to get home and sit, lie down flat to relieve the painful feet. The pain level is at about a 1 to 2 and maybe 3 on bad days. Have yet to see the doctor as to what to do about the pain or if that it is even bad. Don’t know.

As a result I haven’t been walking as regularly as I should. Prior to the job I was walking at least 2 miles a day. Now I am lucky to get in a 1.5 mile walk every few days.

Something has to be done.

*Photo of lemons by Steve Maskell.