Got an update on my mom. She went into surgery to have her gallbladder removed around 8:00 tonight and afterwards my dad called to say, basically, that mom is lucky to be alive. When the doctor removed her gallbladder they said it was the size of two lemons(apparently your gallbladder is supposed to be the size of a finger (3"-4" long)) and it was completely dead and was infected with gangrene***. She was supposed to only be out for a few days and now it looks like she will be in recovery at the hospital for about a week and out of work for about six weeks. But she will make a full recovery. So, just an update and a thank you for your thoughts and prayers.
***Gangrene is a complication of necrosis (i.e., cell death) characterized by the decay of body tissues, which become black (and/or green) and malodorous. It is caused by infection or ischemia, such as from thrombosis (blocked blood vessel). It is usually the result of critically insufficient blood supply (e.g., peripheral vascular disease) and is often associated with diabetes and long-term smoking. This condition is most common in the lower extremities. The best treatment for gangrene is revascularization (i.e., restoration of blood flow) of the affected organ, which can reverse some of the effects of necrosis and allow healing. Other treatments include debridement and surgical amputation. The method of treatment is generally determined depending on location of affected tissue and extent of tissue loss. Gangrene may appear as one effect of foot binding.