Gallbladder: Leanne's story

Recently a dear friend, Carolyn, had her gallbladder removed. Even she, a nurse, did not recognize the symptoms before hand. She thought she just had really bad indigestion for years! The following story I just read in my email from Flylady http://www.flylady.net/. It made me think of Carolyn and how I wanted to share this information with you. Our goal here is to save our gallbladders. This story, with her advice (she is a dietian), is from Leanne. Leanne is the author of all the Saving Dinner books, (great for all of us but especially those with ADD) and the website http://www.savingdinner.com/ After this blog, I will blog on the gallbladder/liver cleanse Leanne is undoubtedly doing with Dr. Neal. I used to work for a very non holistic, older, family doctor who swore by these liver/gallbladder cleanses for his patients.

Dear Friends,

It's interesting how a trip to the ER will wake you up and make youtake some important notes.Three years ago, I had a gallbladder attack, went to the hospital andended up with a referral to a surgeon. No information on how to getrid of the gallstones, though they told me my gallbladder "lookedgood", however an ultrasound revealed 5 tiny stones (the size of agrain of sand) had taken up residence in there. My poor gallbladderwas merely trying to evict the residents and ended up putting me in alot of pain! Statistically speaking, those with gallbladder attacks end up havingmore attacks until they get progressively worse and end up withsurgery anyway. I didn't take the referral and went about my business.Also important to note that I didn't change anything; still ate well,still exercised so I thought my risk factors were eliminated. And forthree years all was well until I ended up again in the ER with nowonly 4 stones--one had passed and on the way out, giving me more painthan childbirth! Again, they referred me to a surgeon although myblood work and my gallbladder were "perfect" (that's what the doctorsaid). Four little stones the size of a grain of sand and therecommendation was to remove a perfectly healthy gallbladder—notfigure out how to get rid of the stones, but eliminate an organ thatGod saw fit to give me.But as I thought about it, I understand why they recommendsurgery—probably because we don't do what we're supposed to do andwe're gonna end up getting the surgery anyway! The reason is ourreluctance to change—somehow we think that driving thru and gettinggreasy chicken is a divine right! And who hates change more than aSHE? It's our perfectionism that keeps us from making importantchanges, even the ones that are good for us! Isn't that always the case? So the second time around with this gallbladder thing has got me beinga lot more proactive than before. I accessed the known risks againstthe factors that were true for me. The risk factors for gallbladderissues are hypothyroidism (bet you didn't know that—I just found outmyself!), overweight, fair, female, forty, fertile, poor diet, lack ofexercise, large weight loss and stress. So check that list…are you at risk? I am definitely female, fair,forty-ish (at the first attack), lost a lot of weight three years ago,hypothyroid and under a great deal of stress. I cannot change my age,gender, ethnicity or thyroid condition. However, I can change thestress part! I am also convinced that I can eat even healthier (I amlosing my old 90/10 rule—eating well 90% of the time and the rest ofthe time, enjoying whatever) by beefing up the fiber, eating only fishand lean poultry and making sure that I have as many fruits andvegetables as I can cram down my throat each day. The thing is if youfill up on the nutrients you need, you'll have less room for the junkyou don't need. And when you're working on saving your gallbladder,there is no other choice as far as I'm concerned. Maybe you are in the same boat as I am or you have another healthissue that a modification in lifestyle and eating may be able tochange. Whether it's quitting smoking, losing your body clutter orreducing stress in your life, why are you not doing what you know youneed to do? This isn't about guilt, but about empowerment—if you takecontrol of your life and health, the end result is better health, ahappier life and you stop being a victim and start being a victor!

Here are the things I'm doing to be proactive:1—Stress Reduction—this is huge for me. I'm signing up for yoga thisweek! I can't wait, I really need this!2—Fiber. There is a list of fibrous foods that are especially good forgallbladders— artichokes, dandelion greens and flaxseeds. Guess what'son the menu this week (and the next, and the next, and the next…)?3—Supplements. Dr. Neal has me on phosphatidyl choline (a form oflecithin) to help emulsify fat, bile salts for digestion and I amtaking a supplement called Stone Free by Planetary Herbals. This is asupplement that was recommended by a reader who swears it saved hergallbladder…I' m trying it!4—Exercise. I work out at least 4 days a week, sometimes 5. I'mbumping that up to 6. According to the AMA, we should all be getting30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise "most days" (translation: 5-6days) a week. That's my plan and hopefully, this will help save my gallbladder.Nothing is in stone of course (except those gallstones!) but I'm goingto do MY part and maybe the surgeon won't have to do his part! I'malso working with Dr. Neal on an alternative therapy to help break upthose stones and help me keep my gallbladder friend. Your health is worth saving! I promise you, this is the onlygallbladder, heart, pancreas, lungs and other important body parts youwill ever have. Take care of yourself before you are facing a healthcrisis. For the most part, you cannot trade in your internal organsfor new ones down at the used organ store! You may be able to trade inyour poorly maintained car for a new one, but this is the only bodyyou will EVER have, regardless of how you choose to maintain it!This week, let's love ourselves by loving our bodies with good,nutrient-rich food, movement, plenty of water and stress reduction! Love,Leanne