Getting Old

Do you know when you are getting old?

Well, it’s when you eat a hot dog and less than 24 hours later you find yourself in the operating room and without a gallbladder.

The story started on Friday at noon. It was a beautiful day, so we decided to get the grill out and do some grilling. Hot dogs were the main item on the menu, and I knew I shouldn’t eat beef hot dogs, but I figured one would be fine. They looked so good. We ate the hot dogs and everything seemed fine.

Fast forward to around 3 or 4 o’clock the next morning, and I had terrible pain at the top of my stomach. By 5 o’clock, I was in the emergency room, and by 11:00 AM, I was in the operating room. I was home before 6 PM.

Medical advances are just amazing. They performed a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, where the surgeon made four small incisions to insert a tiny video camera and tools through the incisions inside the abdomen to remove the gallbladder. I was completely out due to the anesthesia; it was the best nap ever.

Everything is fine, and I’ll be recovering for the next few weeks.

I have been thinking about changing my diet since my first gallbladder incident two years ago and becoming a vegetarian. I started about three months ago, but the hot dog called me, and I paid the consequences. I’m on a low-fat diet for a couple of weeks, so it’s the perfect time to stay on the vegetarian track.

75 thoughts on “Getting Old”

  1. thank you for visiting my blog, edward! I’m so sorry to hear about that hot dog and the subsequent gallbladder removal. We all have to watch out for those hot dogs! I’m glad that all went well though.

    thanks again for stopping by, and have a great day!

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        1. I’m reading and learning about the long-term implications. I’m sure my doctor will give me some guidance when I see him in a week or so, but I’m definitely not going to be able to eat everything I used to.

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  9. Oh boy! Hope you much better now. I too, am beginning to face some realities that old has arrived. Incidentally, I was thought about you throughout the Paris Olympics (watching at home) whenever a Puerto Rican athlete is introduced.
    Quick recovery and never procrastinate when it comes to your health. You are a veteran, you know better.

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  15. Thank God everything went well and you are ok. I truly, deeply believe that you would have skipped that little “adventure” if the hot dog was vegan, or at least vegetarian. There are so many good plant-based alternatives, especially in the USA, that you won’t miss meat at all. It seems life is making you think about it more seriously… Do it for yourself – for your good health and well-being!! In case you need extra inspiration and guidelines, I suggest my book Vegan All In All – very comprehensive and mind-opening! For now, I am sending you extra light and blessings, wishing you a fast recovery. God be with you, always!

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    1. Thank you so much, Susana. I was thinking about your book yesterday and I’m probably going to buy it this week. You’re absolutely right about the vegan hog dog. Well, I learned my lesson. Blessings to you my friend.

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  18. Wow!!! Glad you’re okay! Time to research some vegan meat alternatives, eh? They have some out there that are almost better than meat itself ~ I imagine it just takes going through a few groaners to find them…

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  20. I can relate! My nemesis was a fatty 1/2 lb burger at our fav restaurant. With Swiss cheese. And onion rings. 😑 Same time, 4 am, but I had a few leftover big-time pain pills from something else. I woke up at noon and the pain had gone.

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    1. My first incident was with a burger. I wish I had some good painkillers around. All I had was Advil, and of course, that did nothing for me. Well, the gallbladder is gone now, so I don’t need to worry anymore.

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  23. Welcome to my gall-bladder-less world, Edward. The pain of a gall bladder attack can be excruciating; so glad someone removed yours quickly. Your recovery should go well. But, boy, I really learned to stay away from rich and fatty foods. For example, big Thanksgiving dinners are a lot more enjoyable with a healthy gall bladder!! 😏 Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

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    1. You’re right about that. The pain is terrible. My wife told me that I fainted in the emergency room. Definitely a painful experience. Two incidents were enough for me. Thank you for the best wishes, Jane.

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  27. Oh, no, Edward. I’m so sorry. I understand the attraction to the hotdog. Maybe, at some point you can get an incredible version or just eat mustard and relish on bread? Will that work? Take care of yourself so you heal quickly and completely.

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  29. Oh my god, I’m so glad you are OK. Sorry to hear that happened to you, luckily it’s a very common procedure and you are healing 🙏 stay well, Edward! Diet can certainly be tricky.

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