Just a reminder to take good care of yourself.

**NicJean** · 09-09-2011, 07:59 AM

I spent last Sunday not feeling well. I did what I always do when yucky, took naps, drank tea, tried to forget about it. Sunday evening my abdomen (from under chest to lower pelvis) was aching, uncomfortable, and felt swollen. I did not have a high temperature. Pain was very general, not sharp, not in one place. Overnight Sunday I began vomiting water I had been nursing - up every half hour to hour.
Monday, even though a holiday, I decided to get my DH to drag me to the Emergency Room (thank goodness for health care). Honestly, I did not think it was a big deal. Maybe food poisoning, I'd get an antibiotic and be sent on my way.
It turned out, I had a bad appendix. Surgical team called in, appendix out, spent night in hospital (still awake).
I didn't think it was a big deal - this could have been a very serious situation if I'd chickened out and not bothered to go to the hospital (I was very close to this).
I'm home, had lots of sleep (yay!) and feel much better already. My wounds (3) still have the dressings, and I won't be able to lift any weight for a month. I consider myself very lucky.
Just remember you are the expert on your body, listen to it occaisionally, and take good care of it.

**Ceashels** · 09-09-2011, 08:17 AM

Glad you caught it quickly and got it taken care of. I hope you have a speedy recovery.

**madhen** · 09-09-2011, 08:41 AM

I've seen too many instances recently of people ignoring problems, only to have those problems escalate into life-threatening situations, to ignore anything my body is trying to tell me!! A co-worker of mine had the same thing as you, but her appendix apparently ruptured, because she didn't go in, and she spent a couple of weeks in the hospital, followed by about a month at home, and is still on light duty.

Glad to hear you are back on the road to recovery and that you didn't ignore the warning signs. Good cautionary tale for all of us!

**Trishagirl** · 09-09-2011, 09:00 AM

Glad U R at home & feeling much better.

**savvy_sniper** · 09-09-2011, 09:07 AM

Glad it worked out! I went through the same thing except my appendix ruptured when the doctor touched it to remove it. I spent TWO WEEKS in the hospital afterwards.

**HappyMama** · 09-09-2011, 09:28 AM

Glad you caught it, and are home recovering. Hugs to you.

**mommy2krj** · 09-09-2011, 09:45 AM

For such a tiny organ the appendix is scary!

My oldest son had his out a couple years ago. No puking or anything like that just the concentrated pain on one side of his body...the poor kid came downstairs crying his eyes out and unable to stand erect. Took him to the ER and they almost sent us home because his white cell count was normal. The nurse actually talked to the doctor and had them do a CT scan so they discovered that his appendix really was bad. Found out he had chronic appendicitis!

Pretty sure I make kids that have issues with their appendixes. Took my DD in when she was little for the same issues as DS and they did send us home because her white cell count was normal. Told us to come back if it got worse. It never did but they told me it can happen at any time and was more likely to do so.

Took my youngest in a couple weeks ago with the same symptoms and they sent us home with him as well. Didn't even do a blood test or anything because his pain was on his left side instead of his right side. Told me it couldn't be his appendix because of that. Hmmm...whatever. My oldest son's pain was on his left side too. I will stop now, however, as this would turn into a book if I kept going about this latest ER visit!

Anyway....a speedy recovery to you! Don't over do it and good for you for listening to your body!

**heartofmine** · 09-09-2011, 11:11 AM

Glad you caught it quickly. We all need to listen to our bodies.

I'll tell my story quickly...
I was having a lot of female problems. I went to 2 different gynos plus my regular doctor. Told me it was normal, loose some weight, drink water...yada yada yada. I knew my symptoms were NOT normal. I went to my regular doctor and insisted on a hysterectomy. To do that though they had to do a D&C first (insurance) so I get sent to a surgeon. I had a very high count for cancer cells so the doctor said yes I needed a hysterectomy. 2 weeks later I had the hysterectomy and they found it was already cancer. Because I listened and insisted they got all the cancer with the surgery and I didn't have to have chemo or treatments. I know I'm alive today because I listened to my own body. It was getting other people to listen that was the challenge. Don't let your doctor just write off your symptoms. I am 6 1/2 years cancer free.