So there's a map and a medical update · 3:01pm Aug 4th, 2012
So there's a new canon map of Equestria, and it's not my map. My map has considerably more locations, as you might imagine.
Thus, I give the same warning on that map as I do anything about season three: I reject your reality and substitute my own! This map along with everything in season three is not considered canon in my story. Just sayin'.
In other news, two days ago I did some good writing, yesterday I did nothin' 'cause my stomach was just that out of it. Why?
Well, for those that don't know, for nearly the past three freaking months I've had some major medical issues. I have literally zero appetite. You know that pain in your stomach you get when you haven't eaten? The growling, gnawing feeling? Imagine having all the signs that you should be hungry, but not being hungry in the slightest. In fact, imagine even thinking about eating makes you dizzy, nauseous, and sick to your stomach. Then, toss in acid reflux, stomach pain all over, heartburn, and lower intestinal distress on top of all that.
That's basically what I'm going through right now, and have been going through since mid-May. I've lost over thirty pounds in ten weeks. Now, granted, I wanted to lose that weight anyway, but certainly not like this. On top of that, the lack of nutrition makes me very weak. I'm also getting less sleep because it's much harder to fight the discomfort and fall asleep while having it. Worse, every single test I've had has been negative for everything, and I've been through a LOT. Endoscopy, two ultrasounds, blood tests out the crazy, HIDA scan, MRI...
The good news is that I finally got a surgical consult, and he says that I have all the classic signs of gall bladder disease (and I do have a gallstone in there), and sometimes the tests just don't show it. So, on Wednesday I have an appointment to get it out in something called a "laparoscopic cholecystectomy". They're going to make some tiny incisions in my stomach, pump me full of air, and stick some tube-like medical instruments in me, including a fiber-optic camera. They're going to use these tools to remove the gall bladder entirely, take out the tubes, deflate me (Sweet Celestia of Equestria that sounds weird, right out of freaking Willy Wonka), and sew me up. If it all goes well, I'll be home same or next day.
Now, this is an extremely common procedure. In fact, it's one of the single most common surgeries done in the US. They've got this down to a science quite literally, and it's entirely possible to go about one's life without a gallbladder without an issue. My mom has done it for nearly thirty years. If the surgery goes as planned, then my worst case is adjusting my diet to be healthier, which I have no problem doing. In fact, I'd be happy to switch to eating lean protein, whole grains, and fruits and veggies. After all, for the past ten-plus-weeks all I've could eat is soup and toast! Going to such a diet would be a delight for me right now!
This having been said, there are some risks! Damage to the bile ducts is possible and could require further surgery. Also, since I've had my appendix out, there's an increased chance they'll have to abort the laparoscopic surgery and switch to a standard open surgery, and that hurts a lot more and takes much longer to recover from. I'm also not very confident about this hospital, as it has had some "incidents" in the past, and it's just an 18-bed surgery-only place, not a full hospital. But, this doctor comes recommended enough for me to give them a chance. (Death during this procedure is crazy rare, but just in case, if something does happen to me I'm instructing my wife to login to my account and spoil you all silly. It's not the same as reading the story, but I want you guys to hear my ideas in case I'm no longer able to tell you myself.)
Now, my surgery is scheduled for August 8th. I'll make another blog post just before I head in. I have no idea how long I'll wind up having to be there and I have no idea if they have wifi. Odds are I'll be way, way too out of it to do much on FimFic for most of, if not all of, that day. Anesthesia hits me very hard, much harder than most people, so even if I am online I'll just be reading stuff. One time I had to get a medical procedure where the drug was only supposed to make me woozy, not knock me out, and I was under in fifteen seconds.
After the surgery, hopefully I'll be a lot healthier and able to eat and look for work and such. If that's the case I'll be writing less, but still writing. My muse comes and goes, but I write quick when I'm in a groove. Two days ago I churned out 2,000 words in under three hours. My record pace is 10,000 words in a day, although that was a long time ago.
Eventually my long-term plan is to move up to Canada to be with my wife, but there's paperwork and red tape to be done first, and I cannot do thing one before getting healthy. So here's hoping!
I'm going to *try* to get the second block "complete" (written and awaiting first full editing pass) before I go under the knife. If I do, I'll post chapter four right before the surgery. Wish me luck guys!
-Cv
P.S. I don't normally tag a story on blog posts but it makes sense to do it for Rites this time, I think.
P.P.S. Random, shameless plug: This story is turning out to be pretty cool and is quickly encroaching on my head-canon for Fillydelphia.
Thank you for pointing me to the map! I'll need that.
Also, best wishes for the procedure. That doesn't sound fun at all.
Nice to see someone else agrees with me on the canonocity of the map.
Also, hope the surgery goes well and you make a quick and easy recovery. A man cannot live on soup and crackers forever. 
After that, good luck escaping to the Great White North!
My ex-father-in-law had the same procedure done a few years ago and he was fine. Obviously that means you will be too!
Good luck man, I nearly had to have my spleen removed because it had a 1.3 liter salmonella infected cyst on it (luckily they only had to drain it twice) but I know the feeling of being hungry and not at the same time so I wish you the best.
Thanks for letting us know! My thoughts and prayers will be with you, if that helps.
When you're through recovery, Pinkie Pie will probably throw you a 'Yay I Can Eat Real Food Again!' Party. 
Just don't drink the hot sauce.
Here, have a sheepish Twilight to help pass the time
. I would say 'hope the thing goes well' and all stuff but I think others have it covered. I will say though, that if you push your self to hard after its done I'll come and kick your butt 
(in a friendly get your rest kind of way though!).
PS where in Canada you planning on moving to?
>makes plans for death
Seriously though, I've had a similarly common and relatively safe surgical procedure done before (though in a much more embarrasing location 
), and it wasn't so bad. I hate waking up from anesthesia, lol. I don't know if it's the same for everyone, but for me it was like coming up out of water after nearly drowning, complete with panicked gasping. Honestly, the most dangerous part is receiving the bill. Surgery is expensive. 
>includes having wife tell readers about unwritten story
I'm liking these priorities.
Keep a clear head. Don't expect to die, or to have to switch to open surgery. Just let it happen.
Do some breathing exercises, count to a hundred, then to thirty, and keep calm.
Good luck, my friend...
It's cool there's a map, but I agree with Mythbusters creedo.
Hope everything goes well.
268843
Tell me about it. This whole escapade is going to run me thousands of dollars into debt, even after insurance.
268693
Alberta! And it be cold there in winter.
Thanks for the well-wishes everyone! My sleep schedule is completely messed up, so I might be up a lot tonight. Will try to keep working, get those scenes ready for block two.
272880 Ahh, I used to live there. And were I used to live it dropped to -40 degrees celcius. so I'd strongly suggest buying a parka.
Well its late evening August 7th here in California. Good Luck tomorrow. For whatever that's worth from a random stranger on the internet