My Mother-in-Law Could Have Died On The Operating Table

Yes, she could have died , had the family did not opt for a second opinion for the gallstone operation that the doctor advised to be done at the soonest.

This actually happened about more than 15 years ago.

Mother-in-law suddenly felt a very excruciating pain in her stomach late in the evening one night. We have to rush her to the hospital so it could be checked up as to what really had afflicted her.

At the hospital , she was given the necessary laboratory tests, meantime that she was given some medications that can at least ease her of the pain in her stomach.

She stayed for further observation. The test result and observation by the doctor made them find out that she had gallstones. She was told to have the gallstone operation at the soonest.

But she is a thin lady. She’s underweight and the doctor didn’t tell us that it is risky for her to have the operation. However, we thought it would be risky because she’s old and underweight, she might not survive if operated on.

So, we took her out of the hospital and when she the pain has a bit subsided, it was decided by the family that she will have a second opinion about her condition.

Thus, she was brought to a popular Chinese hospital in Manila. Laboratory tests were done and it was indeed gallstones that is giving her so much pain in her stomach.

Operation was suggested although, it will not be immediate because her body condition might not be able to take it and she could die.

What the doctor further suggested is that she be given a liquid diet in fact, it was a canned powder that will be made into a beverage which she will take in as her food. It is an expensive food supplement. It was drink that is filled with the necessary nutrients and vitamins that can make her gain weight and have a good body condition that can survive the operation.

The beverage was not delicious. She finds it difficult to take. What the doctor advised was that every after sip of the beverage she should eat a grape, since it is a soft fruit.

And this was her diet for six months and after that period she gained some weight. She was checked up by the doctor and it was found out that she’s ready for the gallstone operation.

Thus, the operation was done on her in that posh hospital in Manila.

Thankfully, she really took the operation well. After just about 2 days, the doctor told her to go home so she can just recuperate from there. We took her out of the hospital after 3 days and stayed there at her daughter’s rented apartment to recuperate.
After a month , she already came home. Her pain in the stomach was gone already .

She was advised to take it easy on fatty foods. She fully recuperated in a matter of about a month more.

See, if she could have been operated right away, she could have died.

After about 2 years, it was my father-in-law who had his operation for his gallstones.

Yes, it only means that the foods they have been eating at home are fatty.

Because the rest of the family don’t want to have gallstones problem, we see to it that we will not be eating fatty foods. We eat meat, but we take out the fats on pork.

Besides, prevention is better than cure is very true.

Note: Picture is mine