Appendicidits, NASTY (no pics, no odors)

[Ironwood]

Got sick last Friday, thought it was bad food poisoning (w/ a pulled stomach muscle). Worked for a day and a half w/ an out of town customer filling an order. By time he left I was on the ground  "supervising" his loading efforts. It was grizzly, one minute working, next SERIOUS heaving.  Saturday night wife said "hospital if not better by morning".

 Well, SERIOUS Appendicitis. Only one operating room at the local hospital is open on weekend. Well, finally got in a 3 AM . WOW, I was wrenching around and many hits of morphine didnt do much. I was "a little out of character" w/ the nurses poo pooing me while waiting. They really had to open me up to get it cleaned out. Finally home, loads of discomfort, and a real learning experience. Surgical wing for recovery was crowded, spent some "quality" time w/ dimensia/cancer folks. Room was SMALL, too small. Finally move him out (my infection prompted that) and that helped my recovery emmensely. We dont have any family local, so Scouting  parents helped ALOT. Had not seen my boys in almost a week (makes me cry thinking of it)


 Home, finding my way, greatful for a strong competent wife. AMEN
 
 Ironwood

[DanG]

DanG Reid!  That's some SERIOUS stuff!   A whole bunch of people have died from a ruptured appendix.  It don't pay to wait around.  Glad to hear you're on the mend.

[Mooseherder]

That is scary stuff.
I hope your back to feeling 100% soon.

[Tom]

I've been that route myself and you've been through the mill.  Take  it easy and relax for awhile.  You know, folks died from that stuff less than a generation ago.  Be on the lookout for infection that might have escaped.  Don't get too far away from the doctor till he says it's OK.

[sprucebunny]

Hope you feel better soon. Don't push the recovery !!

I got appendicitis driving across the country when I was 17. The people I was with dropped me at the first hospital they could find in Denver. They waited for me...it was my car  and we went on to California but I sure didn't want to do anything too strenuous for a while !

[Ironwood]

Thanks for the kind words, Yeah it is scary to think I would not have survived natural selection if it were 100 years ago. That is a humbling thought. I was on a SERIOUSLY strong antibiotic, and will continue to be so for another week and a half.

           Ironwood

[Warbird]

Wow.  Glad you are okay, Ironwood.

[Hilltop366]

Hay did you get any new and wild ideas will under the influence of those pain killers?

Glad to hear your on the mend, take care and take it easy until you are really better!

[nas]

Glad to hear you are on the mend
Don't try to make it too fast

Nick

[scsmith42]

Wow...

Reid, I'm glad to learn that you survived it, and hope that you recover completely and quickly.

Scott

[Ironwood]

I would like to mention the "self advocacy" approach one needs to take while in the hospital. Many well intentioned folks caring for you can be a little less than focused during the busy times in a multi day recovery.  I found most of my nursing to be technically OK, but in at least one instance I reported a "new hire" as, in the "wrong line of work". I got VERY upset with her as contemplating the treatment she gave me perpetrated against an eldery patient or someone less "aware". I dont know what will happen, but she clearly was not there for the right reason.

 Whether, yourself, loved one or what have you, you REALLY need to be paying atttention and asking questions. Even little things can effect a stay by days and days.  The one nurse left from shift w/ out hooking up my cath to the vaccum, and nasal canela to my face. Once the vaccum hose was knocked off due to the small room (hit w/ a neighbors bed while moving hiim). In any instance, these things could create a situation hampering recovery, creating nasea/ vomiting. I was really paying attention, most of the elderly cant/ dont. The nursing staff was/ is well intentioned, but we all have limitations.

 I thought it worth mentioning, as my wife and I "go into mode" of SELF ADVOCACY when any of us is "doctored" by anyone.


     Ironwood

[fstedy]

Reid
Hope you are feeling better. Take it easy and mend well.

[Cedarman]

Get well Reid.  Wow, too close.  You are so right on being on top of things.  Very easy to just think that the hospital folks will do everything just right. 
Take it easy for a while.  Lots of good reading on the forum for you to catch up on.
Did mine in 65. Senior in HS.  I found the get well card from my economics class the other day.  It brought back a lot of interesting memories.
Your episode did too.

[Captain]

Get well soon Reid!!

[Roxie]

I'm so glad you are mending.  Stay down and listen when people tell you that it takes two months for each hour of surgery to fully recover. 

Now, I just gotta say, "Your poor wife."!!!  She's been through the wringer in a whole different kind of way.  I'll say a few prayers for her too.   

[WDH]

Reid,

Sorry to hear that you are just a little bit lighter now.  Hang in there and behave while allowing recovery.  Those curly maple logs can wait just a bit  .

[Magicman]

Ironwood, I'm wishing you a speedy recovery.  I lost a good friend that waited too long.  Glad that you didn't....

[Brucer]

Been there, done that, never want to do it again. Come to think of it, guess I won't have to .

Get well, Reid.

[pep]

 Hey Reid

Hope you have a full recovery.  Been battling H1N1 for the last week and a half.   It's been running the gamut through the schools.  Didn't get the shot, but everyone in the house has. 

Take it easy for a couple weeks.


Cheers

Pep

[Ironwood]

Hey there PEP!

 You get well! WOW. We (everyone but me) just got the shot for H1N1 yesterday. I spent most of today outside tidying up as the snow is coming. Check out my Gallery for latest toys, huh tools!

          Reid