G is for Gallbladder

It's hard to believe that just three months ago today, I was undergoing emergency surgery in Anchorage.  Long story short, I was traveling on business and developed unusual and intense abdomen pain.  After I tried for hours to shrug off the pain, the hotel concierge sent me to the nearest emergency room at Providence Alaska Medical Center, the state's largest hospital.  After a few blood tests and ultrasounds, doctors discovered my bile duct was blocked by a gallstone, and my gallbladder needed to come out - stat!  After spending the night in the ER, I was transferred the next morning to another facility, Alaska Regional Hospital, and in to the Operating Room I went.

From the speedy diagnosis to the decision on surgery to the wheeling me back to the operating table, everything happened so quickly.  ​My mind raced with countless thoughts and anxieties.  Not only was I scared because of the unexpectedness of the situation, but I didn't feel like I had all my affairs in order - which for a woman who prides herself on organizing and strategizing, this worried me immensely.

But I hadn't reason to worry.  I was surrounded by an outstanding support system of terrific friends and colleagues who jumped at the opportunity to help a friend in need.  I was beyond blessed.  My awesome friend, Sharon, was with me through the ups and downs, through the dizzying nausea when I came out of my anesthesia, through all my pain management.  She spent the night with me, making sure I was comfortable and safe.  In my narcotic-laden state of mind, I probably had numerous obnoxious conversations with Sharon about Grumpy Cat and Paula Deen and Krispy Kreme.  Sharon, with her impeccable bedside manner, tolerated me with a smile, and for that I'm endlessly grateful. 

Sharon cozies up to me and my (unused) bed pan.  I was about three sheets to the wind in this picture.

Photo taken by Sharon, my personal paparazzi and one heckuva friend/nurse.

Also present was my sassy friend, Jenn, who looked after me for quite awhile before I boarded the jet back to Juneau.  Jenn has such a genuinely sweet spirit and infectious laughter.  Plus, she is full of surprises.  She waltzed into my hotel room with a gigantic DVD player and an array of movies - all to entertain me and keep my mind off the four fresh cuts in my belly.  Oh, and she brought hyacinths and Angry Bird graham crackers.  Need I say more?

Am I lucky or what?  I can't imagine better caretakers.  There were so many giggles amongst us, I'm surprised I didn't burst a stitch.

As if all this personal attention didn't put a smile on my face, God knew just what I needed exactly when I needed it!  My post-op stay was at the Sheraton in downtown Anchorage.  The morning after the surgery, I was having a particularly rough time with pain.  I glanced out my window and saw the Fur Rondy International Sled Dog Race happening just a few blocks away.  We had an awesome bird's eye view of the festivities.  And for those of you who know how OBSESSED I am with Alaska dog-sledding and the Iditarod, this was definitely a treat!

While en route to Juneau, I made the following "on the bright side..." list while 20,000 feet in the air:

1) At least this didn't happen last week in Naknek. Thanks be to God!

2) There's so much leftover iodine on my abdomen that it looks like I've spent a week in Mexico.

3) Who needs baked Brie, Costco hotdogs, and Spenard Roadhouse's 'Bacon of the Month' anyway?

4) The average gallbladder weighs about 14 ounces, so I'm thisclose to achieving my newest weight loss goal of 10 pounds by March 10!

5) Surgery has prompted sweet and hilarious messages from friends such as this: "I hope they let you keep your gallbladder so you could make Alaskan jewelry out of it."

​Once back in Juneau, I was spoiled rotten by friends and loved ones.  Plus, I had the best heating pad ever - my 20 pound lap cat, Sonny Bunny.

Cat cuddles make everything better.

Looking back at the list above, three months later, makes me chuckle.  My spirits are still high, I've reintroduced bacon into my diet, and even without the gallbladder, I'm full of gumption and more than ever - ready to take on the world, one day at a time!​

IDITAROD WEEK: Arm Wrestling Competition

When in Rome, do as the Romans.  When in Nome, do as the locals!  

The Arm Wrestling Competition at the Breakers Bar during Iditarod week is a mainstay event and a definite must-see.  The back of the bar is jam packed with arm wrestling hopefuls, dog mushers, locals, visitors, and plenty of Iditarod fans. 

Some of my friends and I were contestants, and four of us took home either first, second, or third place in different weight divisions.  This was my first time arm wrestling in a competition - and it definitely won't be my last.  It was so much fun that I'm already training for next year!

North Pole, Alaska

Three things you need to know about North Pole, Alaska:​

1. It's easily accessible - only a short drive from Fairbanks.​

2. The spirit of Christmas and Santa Claus is still alive.​

3. Purchasing property can be ridiculously cheap!

​I was in Fairbanks this week and decided to visit the North Pole.  Well, not THE North Pole, but North Pole, Alaska, a suburb outside of the second largest city in the state. 

It's difficult to imagine something more synonymous with the North Pole than Santa and his reindeer, sleigh, and jolly laughter.  You can find all this and more at the Santa Claus House, built way back in 1949.  Kiddos from across the world mail their letters to Santa to this locale.  Eager parents can even place an order for an original letter from Santa - complete with a genuine North Pole postmark.​ 

What I found most interesting about this magical place was the fact that I could own a piece of the action.  So I purchased one square inch of North Pole, Alaska - Lot 56, Block 3507 to be more specific!  I know what you're thinking.  And yes, there's a way.  You, too, can get your very own deed to your very own North Pole property here.  I own a spot in Southeast Alaska, but there's nothing quite like having a toehold in the far North.  :-)

The deed to my expansive property.​

Santa's House

Playing tourist on Santa's sleigh.  Too bad there wasn't a dog sled attached.

​Santa's reindeer have strict diets.  I was told the fella in the background is the oldest reindeer in captivity.

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Stealing Santa's chair.​  The elf got creeped out when I pointed to him.

​"I want one so so so so so so so badly!  I wanted to write more so's but I have to write more and I won't beablel to fit it."

A letter from Lithuania.  Little Miss Gabriele grew up to become her country's penmanship laureate.

Has your kid been naughty this year?  A fear-inducing letter from Santa should do the trick.​

Velvet, the Pet Reindeer

​When I first visited Nome in the summer of 2011, I was hanging out at the Safety Roadhouse and admiring all the junk on their walls.  There were thousands of tattered dollar bills, old Iditarod memorabilia, and this very interesting photo of a reindeer.  Camped out.  ON A COUCH.

A picture of the picture.​

I soon learned that this was not just any couch-surfing semi-domesticated caribou.  This was Velvet, an actual pet reindeer in Nome!  Don't believe it?  See for yourself.

I had to see this big beautiful animal in the flesh.  So when I was in Nome earlier this month for Iditarod Week, we searched high and low.  Well, actually, we didn't have to go far.  You see, Velvet has her own fenced area at her owner's house near the Nome Recreation Center.  Her pad is decked out with decorative "Reindeer Crossing" signs and rope lighting that spells out "Velvet Eyes."  I can't imagine a more whimsical home for a pet reindeer.

Velvet is indeed very velvety.​