Update on me (may be TMI - sorry)
What a ride. I'm going to provide some "gory details" here so others know what it feels like "just in case."
Wednesday night I went to the Barix meeting feeling fine - a little tired, and had been feeling "constipated" for most of the day. Got home and still felt that "constipated ache" but not bad and went to bed around 11 (took my usual Colace). I was up every hour from that point, first feeling like I needed to poop, then having a HUGE poop, then still feeling rotten. Aroudn 3:30, I started having waves of nausea (not like when you're sick or dumping, more like "heat waves" or electrical shocks) and throwing up. Literally throwing up, not "unswallowing" but not bringing much up.
Throughout this, I had that high-in-the-stomach stabbing hurt like bad maltitol gas (which I erroneously attributed to Susan's irish potato - sorry, Susan!).
What clued me in that there was something really wrong is that the "gas pain" never moved or changed at all, even through all of the above drama. And it kept getting worse, not better.
Finally gave in around 6 and work Eddie up, asking him to take me to the hospital. They did blood work, urinalysis, and a cat scan, and I was in surgery by mid-day (i don't really know what time they took me in). All i can say is thank heavens for dilaudid (pain reliever). Apparently, the appendix can be a little higher up in some people (like me) and can refer the pain upward and to the center (mine was literally at the top of my stomach, which is why I never thought of appendicitis).
The same surgeon who did my gallbladder 18 years ago did my appendectomy. We discussed it and decided to do it "open" instead of "lap" for 2 reasons. 1 is that with the open, i would have a small (less than 2") scar, while with lap I'd have 3 1" scars (adding to the polka dots of scars I already have). The other is that the resulting incision would be so firmly stitched that i would have no exercise restrictions (other than avoiding "vigorous" exercise for 2 weeks), where with the lap I'd have more restrictions. So I opted for open. And I must say, it's a tiny little incision and my abdomen feels really quite good, all things considered.
So here's the thing that shocked me throughout all this. I found out just how incredibly valuable my friends really are. I texted Pam and let her know when I got to the ER to find out what questions I should ask. I had a response REALLY quickly - not only exactly what to ask, but driving almost an hour to the hospital to be with me, then (while I was in surgery) going out and buying me WLS-friendly meal supplies!!!). Liz was texting me all day (and today, too!) and even offered to stop by on the way home from work.
Through all the drama of yesterday, I had a constant stream of texts and emails from so many of you, wishing me well, offering assistance, and just generally giving me an amazing amount of support. (Thank heavens - I had my phone so was able to stay in contact throughout! Love my Droid!!!)
The outpouring of support from you all was so amazing and unexpected - I felt that people truly cared and that's such a great feeling.
What could have been a horrible and traumatic experience was the opposite. Maybe part of it's the "good drugs" that I'm still on, now that I'm home, but an awful lot of it's the "warm feeling" of just being loved. Thank you all.
Karen
Wednesday night I went to the Barix meeting feeling fine - a little tired, and had been feeling "constipated" for most of the day. Got home and still felt that "constipated ache" but not bad and went to bed around 11 (took my usual Colace). I was up every hour from that point, first feeling like I needed to poop, then having a HUGE poop, then still feeling rotten. Aroudn 3:30, I started having waves of nausea (not like when you're sick or dumping, more like "heat waves" or electrical shocks) and throwing up. Literally throwing up, not "unswallowing" but not bringing much up.
Throughout this, I had that high-in-the-stomach stabbing hurt like bad maltitol gas (which I erroneously attributed to Susan's irish potato - sorry, Susan!).
What clued me in that there was something really wrong is that the "gas pain" never moved or changed at all, even through all of the above drama. And it kept getting worse, not better.
Finally gave in around 6 and work Eddie up, asking him to take me to the hospital. They did blood work, urinalysis, and a cat scan, and I was in surgery by mid-day (i don't really know what time they took me in). All i can say is thank heavens for dilaudid (pain reliever). Apparently, the appendix can be a little higher up in some people (like me) and can refer the pain upward and to the center (mine was literally at the top of my stomach, which is why I never thought of appendicitis).
The same surgeon who did my gallbladder 18 years ago did my appendectomy. We discussed it and decided to do it "open" instead of "lap" for 2 reasons. 1 is that with the open, i would have a small (less than 2") scar, while with lap I'd have 3 1" scars (adding to the polka dots of scars I already have). The other is that the resulting incision would be so firmly stitched that i would have no exercise restrictions (other than avoiding "vigorous" exercise for 2 weeks), where with the lap I'd have more restrictions. So I opted for open. And I must say, it's a tiny little incision and my abdomen feels really quite good, all things considered.
So here's the thing that shocked me throughout all this. I found out just how incredibly valuable my friends really are. I texted Pam and let her know when I got to the ER to find out what questions I should ask. I had a response REALLY quickly - not only exactly what to ask, but driving almost an hour to the hospital to be with me, then (while I was in surgery) going out and buying me WLS-friendly meal supplies!!!). Liz was texting me all day (and today, too!) and even offered to stop by on the way home from work.
Through all the drama of yesterday, I had a constant stream of texts and emails from so many of you, wishing me well, offering assistance, and just generally giving me an amazing amount of support. (Thank heavens - I had my phone so was able to stay in contact throughout! Love my Droid!!!)
The outpouring of support from you all was so amazing and unexpected - I felt that people truly cared and that's such a great feeling.
What could have been a horrible and traumatic experience was the opposite. Maybe part of it's the "good drugs" that I'm still on, now that I'm home, but an awful lot of it's the "warm feeling" of just being loved. Thank you all.
Karen
But how the HELL did not eating for 2 days, pooping my brains out, and having surgery end up with me GAINING almost 10 pounds!!!!??? Yikes!!! I guess it's all those bags of fluid, but geez - that was a sobering wake-up call when I got on the scale just now. I would have expected it for lap surgery, but it was unexpected for an open procedure. Sigh.
Karen
Karen
Hi Karen when I was in last week I gained 12 pds overnight everytime I walked past the scale I got on I watched the pounds creep up in 24 hrs, I knew it was water but it was annoying but it was all gone after 4 days.
I had my appendix out when I was 5 and I had a 6 inch scar, but I lost it last year with my TT and I was lucky Dr. P. used my old RNY incisions
glad u r doing better
Susan
I had my appendix out when I was 5 and I had a 6 inch scar, but I lost it last year with my TT and I was lucky Dr. P. used my old RNY incisions
glad u r doing better
Susan
So sorry to hear what happened to you Karen, but am glad that you are home and all is well. Never heard of the appendix being up so high, and who would think we could poop so much with what little we have left!
The last thing you need to worry about now is your weight, certainly it is all water weight and that will subside in due time.
Rest up and take care of yourself! I am glad you had the support you needed as you are one always there for "us".
Hugs!
Tish
The last thing you need to worry about now is your weight, certainly it is all water weight and that will subside in due time.
Rest up and take care of yourself! I am glad you had the support you needed as you are one always there for "us".
Hugs!
Tish
Tish from Levittown, PA
Be Well !
B
Be Well !
B
WOW - totally different then my appendix saga. My pain was low and achy - never that doubled over in pain feeling until I finally got to the ER 2 days later...
SO glad that you are OK - you had us all worried sick! Pam is a God send, as are the rest of our WLS friends.
I am so glad that you are home and comfortable. The open version of the surgery sure has changed. My incision is over 8" long (and I only had it done 6 years ago!).
Rest well, the kitchen will wait!
*hugs* Love ya!
Liz
PS - that weight has to be all the fluids - I am sure that by monday you'll be back to your regular weight or a few pounds down.
SO glad that you are OK - you had us all worried sick! Pam is a God send, as are the rest of our WLS friends.
I am so glad that you are home and comfortable. The open version of the surgery sure has changed. My incision is over 8" long (and I only had it done 6 years ago!).
Rest well, the kitchen will wait!
*hugs* Love ya!
Liz
PS - that weight has to be all the fluids - I am sure that by monday you'll be back to your regular weight or a few pounds down.
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