10/15/2025
Update 💛
So for those who haven’t been keeping up with me the last week or so… buckle up.
On Oct 4, I woke up around midnight sick. Went back to bed, woke up again at 3 AM, and couldn’t stop heaving. Ended up at the local ER, where they said “gallstones,” but they didn’t have the equipment for testing, so I got transferred to Cape Fear Valley in Fayetteville.
Once there, I ran the full gauntlet of tests. They found a narrowed common bile duct, placed a stent, and diagnosed me with pancreatitis — all while saying my gallbladder still needs to come out, but they can’t remove it until the pancreatitis clears. I was discharged with instructions to follow up Saturday.
Sunday, I woke up with a painfully swollen, tender stomach. I tried to tough it out. Monday, it was worse. I called Cape Fear, and they told me to come back to the ER. So I did — and sat in their waiting room for four hours while every other patient was called back. I finally said “nope” and left, determined to find better care.
Tuesday, my mother-in-law drove me to Rex Hospital in Raleigh. Within five hours they did a CT with contrast, ran labs, and immediately told me I no longer had pancreatitis. They could see the stent, but said it’s sitting a bit wonky and could be causing the pain I’m still having.
Also (TMI maybe), I hadn’t had a bowel movement since Oct 3 — and Cape Fear never once asked about it. Meanwhile, they’d been treating me with Dilaudid, which I learned at Rex can actually make the gallbladder spasm and worsen things.
The Rex team talked with their surgical department and agreed to take over my case from Cape Fear. My surgical consult is scheduled for Nov 10, and my P*P is helping manage symptoms until then.
I can’t work this weekend (still recovering from all the tests and travel), but I’m hopeful to return to light work by next Friday in Raleigh. I’d be incredibly grateful for help with setup at a few upcoming events:
• Fall Fest at Red Dirt Customs in Raleigh – Sat, Oct 25
• Trunk-or-Treat at McGee’s Crossroads – Oct 30, 2–7 PM
• Cotton Festival – Oct 31 – Nov 1
I’ll gladly share a portion of my proceeds from each event as a thank-you for your time 💛
Thank you all for the outpouring of support — it’s meant a helluva lot. I’ve been missing my parents something fierce this week; the 7th was Mom’s death day, and I was out of it in the hospital.
Love and appreciation to everyone who’s followed along this grand adventure with me. 💛
