What's Going On?

Second Post of the Day

I have heard from many of you, both on the blog and by email, concerned about me being ill this week. Thank you so much for the well wishes. Yes, I have been ill this week, but it is a "good sick" not a "bad sick."

Glinda's query ran through my mind as I typed that! Hah!

This week all I have had is flu - headache, fever, nausea, tiredness, and more. I've slept a lot and two days later, I feel much better. I was glad to have a "good sick." 

By comparison, yes, there is a heavier issue going on. I have undergone many tests since mid May and more testing is scheduled through June 17 as we try to figure out what this is. It may be a serious diagnosis, it may be related to not having a spleen and no immune system, or it may simply be that an incisional hernia I have battled for a while (and we know is growing) is pushing on my lungs and diaphragm.

I am hoping that the issues are a relatively simple thing and are the result of my pancreatic surgery in 2019 as well as having had six babies (including 10 pounder Cole). The incision from that surgery has popped open internally twice now causing what is called (obviously), an incisional hernia.

I first had surgery to repair it in 2020. Two years later, I noticed a small protrusion that has been getting larger ever since. I've done my best ignore it. 

My primary care physician is aware of it and has been encouraging me to return to my surgeon and get it fixed. Normally I do as my physicians ask, but in this case, I just don't want to go through another surgery of any kind. (In my defense, I have had over 15 surgeries during the past 20 years.)

It's ba-ack!! 

But it's really big and needs to be done, I understand that. That it may be involved with the other symptoms I am having surprised me. But that would be much better than the other things that all this could be.

And, the other issues may be completely unrelated. They involve the heart, lungs, and blood. All the tests I have been going through (I have another this afternoon in Indy; no sewing time today!) are to gather info and see where the issues may lie. Some things have been found already and are being treated.

So, that's just an update to clarify. I don't want to share too much until we have a diagnosis. But since I heard from so many of you (heartfelt thanks; ya'll are the best!) I wanted to post an update. I promise I will let you know when we know what's going on and have a plan to proceed.  

Thanks again, folks. Your support has meant a lot. xo

Surgery is On

Note: This is a non horsey post.

Hooray!! I've heard from my surgeon down in Indianapolis and the surgery that was scheduled for March and postponed due to the pandemic has been rescheduled! (I developed an incisional hernia after the pancreatic surgery that I had last August.) 

Me with my big bump.

The hernia has been getting bigger and bigger. When I found it in January, it was about 4 inches long and 3 inches wide. Now? It measures about 5 inches long and 7 inches wide. Because it is so large, they will not be able to repair it laparoscopically. It is going to be a complicated surgery involving three incisions and then several days in the hospital to recover. 
  
Craig will stay at the hospital until I am out of surgery and in recovery. He will then be able to see me briefly but after that he has to leave and can't return until I am dismissed. I'm sad about that, but I also understand the reason behind it. We plan to FaceTime frequently.

I'm starting my prep now, walking every day, drinking the Immunonutrition drink they prescribed, putting on a special germ killing sanitizer, and using the breathing device a couple of times a day to prevent pneumonia. 

I am not in any pain, but it is uncomfortable at times. And while I am not looking forward to more surgery, I am anxious to get this repaired and move forward.

I feel relieved and I feel grateful. Finally!

Here We Go Again!

In January, I had one of those weeks we all have occasionally. One of the things that had happened was that I had discovered a swelling underneath the incision from my pancreatic surgery. After having it checked here in town with my own doctor, I was told that I had developed an incisional hernia and needed to see a surgeon.

It's large enough to see under my clothes. Craig and I call it my baby bump.

I had a choice to see a surgeon here in town or to head down to Indianapolis and have my pancreatic surgeon do the repair. I decided that I felt more comfortable returning to Indy. (As Dr. Schmidt's nurse breezily put it, "After all, he already knows what your innards look like." Alrighty, then!!)

Tuesday Craig and I spent four hours at Simon Cancer Center meeting with my surgeon, various nurses, doctors, and case workers, and having blood drawn, x-rays,  an EKG, and other things done. I was a bit dismayed to find that the surgery would not be simple. Not only will Dr. Schmidt have to reopen the incision, but he will need to make two other cuts, one on either side of my abdomen. The reason? The opening inside is too big to just pull closed; the sutures would tear the tissue if he did. Cuts on either side give leeway for pulling things together. (And then those must be sutured, too.)

Me with my hospital carry bag of supplies, a prescription needed for prep, and my purse waiting to be called back in x-ray.

Surgery is scheduled for later this month, and I have to do the same prep regimen of exercise, vitamins, spirometer, Immunonutrition drinks, and so on. I will be in the hospital for three days, and was warned that this surgery would actually be more painful than the pancreatectomy/splenectomy done last August. That was something else I did not expect - I didn't think anything could be worse than that.

Here we go again!