Despite a small roadblock, Dallas County native Joseph Schuerman has departed on his mission through the Church of Jesus Christs of Latterday Saints.

His Jan. 19 departure was almost delayed by an inflamed gall bladder, but Schuerman said the illness would not delay his trip.

“As far as we know it’s taken care of,” he said. “When you have one of those they can take it out or leave it in and pray that it doesn’t flame up. I opted to leave it in.”

Schuerman, the son of Robert and Carla Schuerman, said the pain landed him in the hospital earlier this week, where doctors gave him several treatment options, including surgery to remove his gall bladder. Once assured the surgery wasn’t medically necessary, Schuerman said he chose less-invasive treatment to avoid delaying his mission departure.

After the long wait, now he said he is ready to go.

“I’m really excited,” he said. “I’ve been waiting so long that now my attitude is just that I’m ready to go.”

As part of the mission, Schueman said he will have limited contact with family and friends, which is tough, but necessary.

“I’ll miss them,” he said. “I can call home four times on Mothers’ Day and Christmas for both years I’ll be gone. Other than that it’s limited to e-mail and letters. That keeps you focused and not homesick.”

Though she will miss her son, Carla said she is proud of the path he has chosen.

“I’m pleased that he knows who he is and that he has chosen to fulfill a mission,” she said. “There is some pride that goes along with that too.”

When he returns from his mission Schuerman said he would like to attend either Auburn or BYU. He said he also wants to bike from his Dallas County home to Seattle.