tummy issues

I've gotten a lot of questions about what is going on with me now that I have almost been home for 6 months on medical leave from my mission and it is a really difficult question to answer. I'm complicated, for lack of a better word, but after many ups and downs, I have part of my answer...What is going on with me physically?

Almost two weeks ago I found out that my gallbladder is only functioning 2%. For those of you who have never had gallbladder problems, having it only performing 2% of it's natural function is not pleasant. They say that anything under 35% can be exceptionally painful. So yes, 2% hasn't treated me particularly well. For the past 4 years I've had weird health problems. Nothing too freaky...and as a matter of fact, I never thought anything of it because it would last a day or two and I would be fine and it would be months before it happened again. The first time I noticed anything weird was about my junior year of high school. I felt sick a lot. I would get really bad stomach aches that would make me nauseous to the point of passing out. I even fell down the stairs once! Scary...but I still didn't do anything about it. I just assumed it was stress because I have a very close relationship with anxiety. Fast forward. Pre-mission. I had my call so I was anxious, excited, nervous, scared, very happy, and....I had migraines and stomach aches and random vomiting fits. Stress? Must be. Fast forward again. Mission. HIGH stress levels. Nausea always. Stress is normal on a mission but I can't contain it at all. I feel constant sickness. Fast forward. Post-mission. December, I went to the gym and my stomach was killing me. I could hardly stand up straight and I got super dizzy, with chills and all, on the verge of passing out. I get home. Vomiting fit. Awesome. Stress? Well, I've got a lot going on trying to feel physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy again so that has to be it. Fast forward one more time. 6 weeks ago. Vomiting in the middle of the night. Thought I ate something bad. Two days later, it happens again...and two days later, again. Then three days in a row. I can't eat without getting sick. Stress? I just started a new job and I was WAY out of my comfort zone. That could be it...but I need a doctor's note to go back to work. So I went to urgent care for the note and they took some blood tests, nothing. They referred me to a GI doctor. More blood tests, nothing. BUT I got medicine to help in the meantime and it works wonders. YES!! 12 days later, ultrasound and Hepatobiliary Iminodiacetic Acid (HIDA) scan. Ultrasound? All clear. Nothing. HIDA scan? Hallelujah!! Very low gallbladder function! Scheduled for surgery on April 2nd!

So yes, my tummy hurts. Luckily, I should make a speedy recovery, I'll be able to work, and could potentially return to the mission field around June. Nothing is set in stone yet but I am trying my best to be patient and prayerful in all that I do. I am so grateful to finally know what the problem is and that it is nothing major. Life is good! I am loving living here in Oklahoma with my sister and her sweet family but I miss my Arizona friends and family all the time! I am excited about the future and things are really starting to look up! The Church is true and HE LIVES!!

'Til next time!

Niece selfie.