EMERGENCY SURGERY: Gall bladder surgery for Ind. first lady interrupts Gov.'s plans

January 24, 2013

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — After spending time in Columbia City Wednesday night, Ind. Gov. Pence cancelled a trip to southern Indiana and all appointments for Thursday.

The governor's office says Indiana first lady Karen Pence is having emergency gall bladder surgery Thursday after experiencing abdominal pain a day earlier.

Pence spokeswoman Kara Brooks says Karen Pence is having the operation at an outpatient surgery center in Indianapolis. Brooks didn't immediately have other details about the surgery but expected to provide an update later Thursday.

The governor had been scheduled to attend events Thursday in Jeffersonville and Evansville, followed by a speech Thursday night at a Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce dinner.

The Pences have been married since 1985 and have three grown children.