So I'm currently in the ER for severe stomach pain and possible appendticis. How did this all start:
Well I've had low grade pain since yesterday after eating a turnover (oh gluten you will be the bane of me!) and just assumed it was gluten related as it usually is.
Hurt a bit during my run this morning but that happens.
Well after a huge lunch (buffets are my true loves) I felt off and thought I had been accidentally glutened. At 3:00 PM the pain was unbearable. I worked through it as much as I could and eventually left work at 430.
Ralph got to my place at 530 to find me double over in pain on the couch. We were watching Gladiator and I was getting worse and made the decision to go Urgent Care as it's only a 10 dollar copay.
I have a very high pain tolerance so for me to feel like that, I knew it was bad and could possibly be appendesitis.
Word to the wise: DONT call your mom and when she doesn't answer text her you're coming to the hospital and then not answer. She will call your dad and brother and grandparents and eventually your brother will facebook your boyfriend. DO give your parents your boyfriends number incase anything ever happens.
And oh the irony! The waiting room had on a Modern Family episode where Jay has awful stomach pain where he describes it "as if I've been stabbed over and over or being stabbed from the inside by a bad scallop". YES EXACTLY HOW I FELT! and he had an acute appendicitis and had regency surgery.
After feeling awful while waiting, I eventually got a room and took a nap and felt better but not much. (Reading my blood work later on, it makes sense. I was freaking out because my pulse was very high and my blood pressure was out of whack).
I was thinking about how I felt and realized I had pain for about 2 weeks. I thought it was gluten related or eating too soon after running or menstrual cramps. It was probably my appendix the whole time.
Well the doctor kinda freaked out(she told she was really worried and almost positive I needed to get my appendix out) and sent me next door to the ER for blood work and an ultrasound.
I waited about 2 hours and am now in a hospital bed at midnight and waiting for the doctor. I keep telling my story to everyone that asks and they are all very nice.
I'm also in a pretty good mood considering all that's going on. Hopefully they can figure out what's going on and I will feel better.
Oh and being that I have seen every episode of House and greys Anatomy, I keep having mini freak outs both excitement and scary. They are both pretty accurate.
Also, this hospital is BEAUTIFUL!
UPDATE-3 AM 5:7:2014:
I had an ultrasound and a CT scan (now that machine was cool!!) and I do have appendicitis and it looks like it may be slightly ruptured. My white blood cell count is high so there is most likely an infection.
So I will be having surgery today but not sure when.
Once they open me up, they will know how long I will be in the hospital. Either 1-4 days. So sadly all of my weekend plans are out of the window :( however I think my mom is coming out for a few days and my dad may come out too. Yay for seeing my parents but not for this reason.
UPDATE 12 MIDNIGHT:
Appendix is sayonara! And I finally ate something after almost 30 hours of no food and 22 hours of no fluids.
I was scared to head into surgery. I was all by myself and it was very overwhelming especially because I left my watch and glasses in my room so I could see nothing. Not knowing what was going on and not being in control and not being able to see was a lot to handle. I could feel the tears coming and tried my best not to have a breakdown while being transportedn And I spent about 45 minutes chilling by myself in pre-op area waiting to meet my anathesilogist and OR nurse which wasn't helping either. The only thing that kept me from having a full-blown panic attack was singing Let it Go (seriously I sang it over and over in my head) and praying for calmness. Also they gave me a nice cocktail to take the edge off before heading to the OR which helped.
Also in the OR, it was bright and nice and had music, which reminded me of the show Nip/Tuck. I told the doctors that i liked the OR and that it was better than the one on greys anatomy because that one was dark. They got mad and went off about how tv medical shows are fake. It was hilarious and calmed me down.
It was done before I knew it and I went to recovery where I was a hot mess. I finally went back to my room around 615 and tried to text and email people without falling asleep (which was hard!!!). I finally ordered food (jello, chicken broth, cherry fruit ice and lemon tea because they have a menu that you order whatever you want from) and drank a ton of water! I've had a lot of water because I can tell I'm dehydrated even with the IV I've had for almost 24 hours now. Unjust had a cup of apple juice with some Vicodin and 2 cups of jello.
Overall, I'm in very high spirits. I know what was wrong and had great doctors. Mine did a great job with incisions and went in through my belly button and side and they should be small scars. However I'm having stomach pain around my belly button. I'm also blessed because I'm in good health. They are thinking I will recover well because my running helped to get me in gold health. They didn't keep me in recovery long because my pulse and heart rate were Normal and not spiked. Which is great!
And a sign that I'm being looked over, my nurse is training for an Ironman!! I told him how I ran the LA marathon so I could run Dopey-which he had never heard of but was fascinated by! I flat out asked him when I could run again and he said within 2 weeks which is good. Good thing I'm in low training so I don't have to take off too much time. I should be able to go home at some point tomorrow and hopefully be back at work sometime next week.
Btw, have I mentioned the AMAZING machine on my legs to prevent blood clots?? It's like a blood pressure cuff for our arm on your legs. It feels amazing and I wish I could get one for running. No joke it would keep my calves so loose for runs. I also spent all morning (730 when Ralph dropped off my contact case, deodorants and baby wipes and compression socks) and afternoon in my compression socks.
I am sad because I had a good weekend planned and now can't do anything:
-Friday- magic mountain for AAA night. Ralph is now going to take my brother! Happy birthday to him haha
Saturday- 2 parties-Devin and Rafa I can't go to
Sunday-Disneyland to meet up with Damian so he can get his magic band. I may be able to go but won't be able to ride much :/
However you gotta look on the bright side-I get to see my mom and brother and dad. I get to spend Mothers Day with my mom. We can watch frozen!!!(brother hasn't seen it). We can just chill as none of them have been to my apartment or Pasadena before. And there may be a Disneyland trip too!
I'm blessed and could have it worse so I'm lucky for sure. And I will be all healed for my Disney trip!!
Have you ever had your appendix taken out?
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