This story is a work in progress, as the caper has yet to happen. In truth I am attempting to start a new genre of detective story, one where I predict what will happen and then the gumshoe will have to solve the case. I think it will take a few dozen decades to catch on, but I'll be hailed as a genius! A genius I say!

My poor Holly has multiple gallstones, and from what the doctors could see on the ultrasound image she's had them for a couple of years. The pain on New Year's Day that sent Holly crawling to the doctor's office turns out to have been a gallbladder attack. She's since continued to suffer, so much so that the doctors were convinced they needed to do further tests as their original diagnosis was flawed. So now it's come down to this, and Holly is to have her gallbladder removed in its entirety.

Next Monday morning, a whole week away, we are to arrive at the hospital (at an unthinkable 7:00 AM) bleary eyed and barely cognizant. Lucky for Holly this will probably mean she can just sleep normally through the procedure and we can save a few bucks on the yummy knock-out drugs, or not. It will be a laproscopic surgery which is fancy way of proving I did not go to med school, but has something to do with only making 5 tiny incisions (thus 5 scars) and will allow her to be sent home that day (likely so they can fill the hospital bed with someone who has deeper pockets than I). Fortunately we have medical insurance so I'll only be donating my left leg to the black market in order to pay for this, and not my entire right side.

The surgeon expects Holly will be 75% of normal after one week of recovery, but he doesn't know the recuperative powers of our cats! I expect Phoebe will jump onto Holly's lap/stomach at least 10 times the first day and rupture the stitches. This will be down from her usual 23 times per hour which Holly has already been experiencing. I'm sure in her own fuzzy little way Phoebe was attempting to force the stones out by pouncing on them. Sweet little thing isn't she?

I'll write more as it's important. I'm not nervous, yet, but Holly's not doing all that great about it. I'm not sure if she's more worried about the surgery or about having to wait an entire week to get it done. For my part I hope she's relieved of her pain.