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Thursday, January 21, 2010

how did i even survive this!?

Sunday morning during church service i started experiencing this horrid pain in my back on the right side only. I leaned toward my mom and told her. She said to go to the restroom maybe i needed to stand up cuz i pulled a muscle or something. It didnt help at all. By the time church was half way over i was hunched over in the chair about to cry, i told my mom i needed to leave.

She made me call the surgeon on call which was dr. Swartz. He said it could be my gallbladder and i should go to the ER. By now i was doubled over in pain that was constant and i was crying all the way to the hospital. ER was empty in the waiting room so i got called back quickly.

Unfortunately i have small veins so after 10 tries to find a vein for my IV and a bunch of "sorry's" i was in the ER for 3 hours in excruiciating pain, so bad i was dry heaving every few seconds, not to mention moaning, crying and could not sit still with no pain meds. Finally they found a vein i pointed out to them and gave me some dilouted medication which was my miracle drug. Instant pain relief. Believe me though that when it wore off i was begging for more. I was laying in the ER for 9 hours until they finally moved me to a room at around 9pm.

I spent the night. The pain subsided at about 12am. At 7am Dr. Swartz came to see me and to find out more about my symptoms. I explained that it started with a warm burst throughout my stomach and then went away. Then i had a terrible back pain on the middle of just the right side of my back. The Dr in the ER said they tested my blood and my liver count should have been 10 to be normal mine was 230!! No gallstones though said the lady who did my ultrasound. Dr. Swatrz said he isnt for sure whats going on but is about 90% sure its my gallbladder. He would do surgery that day, Monday at 4:30pm and he would check my gallbladder, remove it if its not functioning properly, check all of my intestines for a hernia and do yet a fourth endoscopy all while i am under since i am having problems keeping solids down.

Turns out my gallbladder had stopped functioning causing me extreme pain, he removed my gallbladder. I had no hernia, but i did have an ulcer so he prescribed me nexium for that. I was sent home tuesday morning at around 10am with vicodin. Which, does NOT work! It only makes me tired but doesnt get rid of my pain. Anyways....

I went home and was sooo constipated. I wont lie, i wanted to die. Felt like i had been run over by a BIG truck and left for dead. Couldnt take pain meds because it causes constipation. The constipation was killer!!! I was soo backed up and blocked that all the gas pumped into me from surgery was stuck and just moving around, and i was in so much pain. I tried a laxative, milk of magnesia, stool softener, two supositories and still, nothing. So embarassed and desparate for help my mom had to give me an enema. Yes, how embarassing. It was painful cuz i was so tore up inside. Well, sad to admit my shame but its got to be said you must know not to ever let it get this bad. I had a big accident after that and had to wash clothes and take a good shower, i am sure u can imagine my humiliation. My poor mom was gagging! I dont blame her. I laugh now but it was soo sad when it happened. Worst of all, it didnt work. I called Dr. Swartz who gave me a concoction for yet another enema that is homemade and a sure fix. 1 part molasses and 1 part whole milk slightly warmed and mixed well put into an empty enema bottle. Omg! He wasnt kidding. It worked!!!

Not to be gross or give TMI but after passing the "trouble" i realize why i was in so much pain when i saw the size of it. My poor colon!! I felt sooo much better afterwords! Lol!

Although i still have awful pain from the surgery and still cant take pain meds, i am just thankful the worst is over and on the good side i no longer have to take that stupid gigantic horse pill for my gallbladder. Yay!

Lets just say its safe to admit i have a high tolerance to pain. God has really been taking care of me i dont know how one person could go through so much pain and surgeries and still be alive.

Feeling better now,
Steph


2 comments:

Unknown said...

I am praying this all resolves for you... and I now have a surgery date. March 8th.

So... here we go!

Nancy said...

That is so painful! The same sort of thing happened to me, almost immediately after my surgery on 10/07/09. It took my doc 6 weeks to figure out that my gallbladder was the problem. I had it removed and things finally improved.

This is a tough journey, but worthwhile. If you need a friend, I'm here. I have a blog about my journey at http://scrappyknees.blogspot.com. or you can friend me on Facebook. I'm Nancy Briscar Martel. Good luck to you!!!