Hernia - Happy Birthday to Me

Yesterday will go down as my most painful b-day ever.  I started having abdominal pains in the morning - acute, radiating, shooting.  I had to cancel my work and dinner celebrations and head over to the ER.  My friend insisted on meeting me there, for which I am grateful.  It was a nightmare - I felt like I was in a third world country. 

After a four hour wait, I ended up in a noisy ER hallway all night because of a lack of beds.  I finally had a cat scan and ultrasound around 5 am.   My surgeon came by in the afternoon to tell me that I have an internal hernia, which can happen when you lose a lot of weight and the intestines reposition.  Apparently my intestines now have too much slack and need to be re-anchored to an opening in my colon.

I am having the laparascopic hernia repair procedure first thing on Monday.  Not only are all of my weekend b-day celebrations ruined (I'm on a liquid diet), I will now spend my week of vacation having surgery.  At least I am home for the weekend, and the pain is less severe.  I keep telling myself that I am lucky to have access to healthcare, period.  

Please swing a few lizards for me on Monday.  If you have had an internal hernia, I'd love to hear from you.

Thanks!
Amy

 

Oh Amy, happy birthday.  I had 2 very large hernias which were repaired during my surgery.  I didn't even know they were there but they showed up on the endoscope before surgery.

Let's swinging something that Monday will be an easy day and get you all fixed up.  Glad you are in less pain now.

Thanks for the swinging, Price!  I guess these hernias are the result of the surgery.  Who knew losing weight can create hernias!

Amy

Amy,

So sorry to hear this!   Always scary to experience something so far out from surgery......also, these things NEVER occur when it would be convenient do they?  Sending you healing thoughts and praying for skilled surgeon hands! Hang on...soon this will be over!

Blessings for you!



~~~Jennifer

Thanks, Jennifer.  I have a very skilled surgeon which is really reducing my anxiety.  Monday cannot come soon enough so I can get this fixed!

Amy 

Oh Amy, your ER visit sounds awful! Sorry to hear that your birthday weekend started out like this, and then glad to hear that your hernia was found before it had the opportunity to be even worse.

I have not had an internal hernia, but my husband has had 2, one internal and repaired laparascopically (the other was a male type hernia).  Hia saurgery was outpatient, and I recall that he complained the most about the itchiness of the pain meds, which he quit a couple days after coming home.  He didn't have enough pain if you ask me, because he was doing things he wasn't supposed to far too soon. 

May you have a similar experience but use better judgement than my thick headed hubby. 

Happy Birthday!
tracey 

Tracey, thanks for your good wishes!   I'd love to hear more about what your husband did that he was not supposed to do so I don't repeat the error of his ways.  Glad to hear he recovered in spite of himself!

Amy  

he went back to work too soon. Since he's an electrician, it was pulling, tugging, hauling, and lugging all day.  He also drove a couple days after surgery, and I found him in his shed "tinkering" just a few days after his surgery.

Grab a stack of books now, or some knitting project, or whatever will keep you busy on the COUCH.  I couldn't tell my DH that; he can't sit still for love or money-- or hernia surgery obviously. ; )

tracey

Amy I am so sorry you are going through this and the timing STINKS!

I am glad you are thinking positive and that the pain has lessened. When you feel better, you should re-celebrate your big day!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY and sending you get well quick wishes!!!

Thanks, Char.  I now have a big birthday weekend planned for the end of Sept.  I can use a month's warm up!

Amy