So… not to alarm anyone, but I won’t be blogging for a bit. Turns out my appendix burst and I had to go in for emergency surgery to get it removed today! And just so you know what to look for in case this ever happens to you, here’s what happened:
On Thursday night after a delicious, healthy dinner of grilled salmon and a heaping plate of this brussels sprout kale salad, I went to bed feeling fine. Somewhere in the middle of the night, I started having stomach pains and figured I was coming down with a stomach bug. I woke up the next morning and immediately threw up. I had some sharp pains in the middle of my abdomen, but misread them for a stomach ache. All day I stayed close to the toilet- I couldn’t even hold down a sip of water. Ingrid took Emil in the morning, and Andrew came home early from work to take care of the boys so I could rest.
Only, after taking a nap, it seemed the pain had worsened and had moved to the lower right side of my abdomen. I thought that I had pulled a muscle throwing up. This is when I should have gone to the hospital, said the surgeon about 15 hours later.
I tried to stay hydrated, but nothing would stay down and the pain was so bad I woke up every hour Friday night. In the morning, I could barely stand up; I knew something was seriously wrong. I asked Andrew to drive me to the ER and once there, they whisked me away to get a CAT scan immediately. Due to the tenderness of my abdomen, they informed me that the appendix had surely already burst, and that fluid from my bowel was leaking into my abdominal cavity. I was so scared hearing this, obviously.
My wonderful, wonderful friend Ingrid stayed with me all day while they prepped me for surgery, and held my hand and told me funny stories and just took my mind off the whole thing. Andrew held down the fort and arranged for child care and made it in time to give me a kiss before they wheeled me off to surgery.
Upon waking, they told me that my appendix had gangrene and that they needed to keep the incision open to make sure they could clear all the infection over the next 5 days or so. GANGRENE! Like , civil war, amputee, nasty green rotting stuff gangrene! Ha!
Never a dull moment around here, I assure you.
So, here’s hoping for a quick recovery and a really nice big scar (kidding!). See you when I see you…
xo Lauren
By the way, isn’t it weird that this stuff seems to happen to me in March??? But the coolest thing is that I got to see “slices” of my entire body from the CAT scan. I think the surgeon was taken back by my interest so he explained everything!
I’m so glad you’re OK. How scary! If it makes you feel better, a burst appendix wouldn’t have occurred to me either with the symptoms you described — just a really bad case of the stomach flu. Wishing you speedy recovery, Lauren! You’ll be in my thoughts.
Holy smokes! I’m glad you’re okay. Feel better love.
Gina just told me what is going on. I wish you a speed recovery. Take a break from being supermom.
Thinking of you, Lauren! Get well very soon!
Yikes! Sending healing thoughts and blessings your way!
Here’s to a speedy recovery. (A friend of a friend who loves your blog)
Heavens! Please better soon! To a speedy recovery!!
Well, that is terrifying! This very exact same thing happened to my Dad when he was, well, about your age during the 70s. They kept the incision open (ew) and he an in the hospital when my eldest sister was brand new. He still tells the story of having to wash his wound in the shower (again, ew). Did they show you your intestines or anything really gross? Maybe you can sell tickets to show your scar? I’d buy one!
We are sending you heathy thoughts from Blighty and I hope you are medicated up to your eyeballs and in zero pain. Big, big (but gentle) hug.
No way! That sounds totally frightening and an appendix wouldn’t even occur to me. Please rest up and get better fast. Thinking of you, hugs!
Oh no!! I might be projecting here,but I’m imagining this is the perfect end to the perfect winter. One last burn before spring comes. I hope you’re finding peace and rest among your men.
Holy cow. Speedy recovery and hopefully some down time to heal and then spring will here with bells on waiting for you!!!
What the heck?
Sounds like we’ll both be enjoying the post-surgery meds this week.
Gangrene is one of those crazy words that gives me the willies. Hoping the recovery is better than the lead up. Sounds like your “stomach flu” was miserable.
Oy, I am just glad you got the surgery in time and hope for a smooth recovery – you like to keep it interesting for us, don’t you? 😉
Get well soon!
Woah. That IS a crazy story. I’m so glad you’re past the crazy part! Wishing you lots of rest and, like Maggie said, feeling no pain.
Wow, Lauren, how scary! Dave had his appendix removed a few years ago, but his was the festering kind where it bothered him on and off for weeks (always worse at night), before he finally went to the ER when the pain became unbearable. He was lucky his didn’t burst.
Wishing you a speedy recovery! I wish we lived closer so I could help with the boys.
Oh my goodness! I wish I could have been there to help. Sending love and hopes for a speedy recovery.
Love you,
Nora
Yikes! Fast healing to you!!! Strangely, this very thing just happened to my housemate. You’ll be up and running in no time.
Holy crap on a cracker. SO scary! I wish I lived closer because I’d bring you food. Heal quickly!
Wow!! Thank goodness you went to the hospital when you did! Wishing you a speedy recovery, Lauren!! Insane story!
oh my word! how scary! I hope you’re recovering well!
Thanks so much everybody! The surgery part was fine… it’s the recovery that’s a little rough. Packing a hole in my side makes me squeamish, to say the least, and I can’t seem to shake this massive headache. All said, though, it is better than the pain I was feeling on Friday!
Gangrene! That is in.sane. So glad you’re ok and on the mend!
Oh so scary!! I hope you have a quick recovery! I had my appendix removed a couple years ago, and while mine didn’t burst, they chastised me for not coming in earlier. Funny how men get a bad rap for not going to the doctor, but I think women are more willing to suffer through pain, figuring it’s not too bad! Hugs to you and stay healthy, mama.
wow! burst appendix is no joke. hope you get well soon, and hope your boys are extra kind and gentle.
just looked it up and 1 in 15 people will get appendicitis–way more common than I would have thought!
Oh! Wishing you a calm, speedy recovery! I hope that you get lots of childcare help while you recover!
Insane. Thinking of you, wishing the best. Glad you are okay.
And thanks for the tips!
Lauren, your headache could be caused by whatever pain meds they have you on. I don’t tolerate those very well, especially codeine, and headache is one of my symptoms. Sending healing thoughts your way!
Oh jeez! I am so glad that you are ok! Rest up and take care of yourself! I am sending you lots of love and healing vibes Mama!!!
wishing you a speedy recovery!
Oh LAUREN! I am incredibly sorry this happened to you!!! I wish I lived near you, because when I say, do you need anything, I could actually bring or help you something. ((hugs)), and I send as many healing thoughts and vibes to you right now.
What a crazy, scary story:( Rest well lady. Sending lots of loving, healing thoughts your way! xx
Wow Lauren, that sounds kind of terrifying! I am glad you are getting the help you needed but so sorry you’ve been having to go through this! Like other commenters have said, I wish I were closer and there were some way I could help…can’t imagine having three energetic little boys and trying to heal. I wish you lots if good healing energy, strength and support during your recovery!
well, leave it to you to make me chuckle at gangrene! jeez.
sounds like stressful times, and hope that you recover quickly! are the boys intrigued by the hole in your belly at all?