Help Me Remember This Key Detail

Just to be clear, this post is all in good jest, and Megan approved me to share this tidbit of information about her. Though, also, for real, I need to remember this key detail, and I’d love to hear your suggestions!

My girlfriend, Megan, doesn’t have a gall bladder.

Fortunately, the gallbladder one of those organs that doesn’t play a major role in daily life. Yet it still comes up from time to time. For example, someone might offer Megan a tasty deep-fried dish–the type of food that doesn’t sit well for those without gallbladders–and I’ll nudge her and say, “I bet you wish you had an appendix right now, eh?”

That’s not a typo. Rather, that’s the problem. For some reason, even though I know Megan is missing a non-essential organ, I have a really hard time remembering exactly which organ it is. My guesses typically include appendix, liver, kidney, spleen, pancreas, lung, ear, nose, and–when I’m feeling lucky–the correct answer, gallbladder.

It’s become somewhat of a running joke that I can’t remember the correct organ, and the joke often ends with Megan pointing out that a day may come when a medical emergency might actually require me to tell doctors that she’s missing a gallbladder (and not some other organ that could prove disastrous).

That’s where you come in. Yes, you’re a part of this now.

I need a way to remember in a critical moment that Megan is missing a gallbladder. A mnemonic device, perhaps, or a riddle, visual, or silly dance. Anything will do. It will be particularly helpful if it helps me remember not only that gallbladder IS missing, but also that the other organs are NOT missing.

What do you suggest?

9 thoughts on “Help Me Remember This Key Detail”

  1. When I had my gallbladder removed a couple of years ago, I learned that the procedure is called a Cholecystectomy. Personally, I remember complicated, fun to pronounce words. Cholecystectomy is a really fun word to say.
    Say it with me: Cola Sis TECH Tummy
    So now in a medical emergency, you can tell her doctor that he had a Cholecystectomy, which you will now remember is the removal of the gallbladder.

    Reply
  2. Memory is best served when attached to something in the physical world. For example, if you want to remember to grab your reusable shopping bags when you go out the door, you should stand at the door, and grab the door handle, and repeat to your self a few times, “Grab the shopping bags. Grab the shopping bags.” So when you do that action in the future, grabbing your font door handle, you will trigger this memory.

    So my suggestion, is to stand in front of Megan, looking directly at her, think about the way you say her name, Megan, and how it feels and sounds to you, and then say to her, “Me-gallbladder is missing.” Repeat, if you think is necessary.

    🙂

    Reply
  3. These are all amazing suggestions! Thank you so much. I think Shane’s might be my slight favorite, but they’re all quite helpful. 🙂

    Reply
  4. Don’t let Megan get madder, she’s missing her gallbladder!

    Maybe sadder works better than madder…

    Don’t leave your relationship in tatters, while Megan is already missing her gallbladder!

    Megan may not be like a tall ladder, but she’s missing her gallbladder!

    Megan can’t eat fried batter, because she’s missing her gall bladder.

    Reply

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