Astera's Amazing Health Adventures!
Dear readers, I am not a well woman. Though I am still relatively young, I have had numerous dealings with serious medical problems, and I want it to stop.
Here's the latest: Last week, I went to the urgent care center with stomach pain that would not go away. The doctor ran many tests, but was baffled and could offer me no answers. On Wednesday, the pain had shifted to my lower right abdomen. The Blacklabels happened to be in town at the time, and Mrs. Blacklabel, who had appendicitis four years ago, was convinced I was suffering from the same malady. But I thought appendicitis was usually much more painful. But on Thursday, when I woke up with a low-grade fever, it seemed that Mrs. Blacklabel was right. I went to work for part of the day, but at noon I went back to urgent care for a re-check. This time, the doctor wasn't baffled.
"Appendicitis," he pronounced.
"It can't be! I'm not hunched over and moaning in pain," I said.
"Oh, but you will be, if we don't take your appendix out.
He called down a surgeon. "Appendicitis," he told her.
She did a brief exam. "Appendicitis," she concurred.
I disagreed, but no one cared what I thought. Even if it wasn't appendicitis (which she was sure it was), the surgeon explained, the surgery would let them see if anything else might be causing the pain.
After that, it was rush rush over to the hospital. I checked in at 2:00 and was wheeled off to surgery at 3:10. Happily, Mr. Pink made it there in time to hold my hand and kiss me as I was rolled into the operating room.
I don't remember much of what happened next. Apparently, I was in excruciating pain, so the nurses kept giving me Demerol, which sent me into the land of clouds. I do remember Mr. Pink and the Rose Lady coming into my room.
"Was it appendicitis?" I croaked.
Mr. Pink and the Rose Lady exchanged a glance. "No. It was a ruptured ovarian cyst," Mr. Pink said. "But the surgeon took your appendix out, too."
"I don't understand. What happened? Why? Am I okay?"
The Rose Lady soothed me as only a mother could. "You're fine," she said. "Just rest and get better."
I left the hospital that evening, although the doctor recommended I stay. But because I had lots of caring family around (the Pater Familias flew in later that night), she agreed to release me.
So, for a week, I have been at home, recuperating. I am almost better. Then, I return to work for two days, and then I fly off to Greece for almost two weeks. I am sure I will be completely healed when I return.
But the underlying question is, what can be done to prevent more health problems? I should exercise and eat right, of course. But what else? Do I need to attend a healing spa? Start a yoga and meditation practice? Have my chakras cleansed? Have acupuncture? Strengthen my chi? I have been so reliant on Western medicine for so long that I don't even know what alternative treatments to try. Dear readers, what has helped you recover from illness and strengthen your immune system? I await your replies.
Here's the latest: Last week, I went to the urgent care center with stomach pain that would not go away. The doctor ran many tests, but was baffled and could offer me no answers. On Wednesday, the pain had shifted to my lower right abdomen. The Blacklabels happened to be in town at the time, and Mrs. Blacklabel, who had appendicitis four years ago, was convinced I was suffering from the same malady. But I thought appendicitis was usually much more painful. But on Thursday, when I woke up with a low-grade fever, it seemed that Mrs. Blacklabel was right. I went to work for part of the day, but at noon I went back to urgent care for a re-check. This time, the doctor wasn't baffled.
"Appendicitis," he pronounced.
"It can't be! I'm not hunched over and moaning in pain," I said.
"Oh, but you will be, if we don't take your appendix out.
He called down a surgeon. "Appendicitis," he told her.
She did a brief exam. "Appendicitis," she concurred.
I disagreed, but no one cared what I thought. Even if it wasn't appendicitis (which she was sure it was), the surgeon explained, the surgery would let them see if anything else might be causing the pain.
After that, it was rush rush over to the hospital. I checked in at 2:00 and was wheeled off to surgery at 3:10. Happily, Mr. Pink made it there in time to hold my hand and kiss me as I was rolled into the operating room.
I don't remember much of what happened next. Apparently, I was in excruciating pain, so the nurses kept giving me Demerol, which sent me into the land of clouds. I do remember Mr. Pink and the Rose Lady coming into my room.
"Was it appendicitis?" I croaked.
Mr. Pink and the Rose Lady exchanged a glance. "No. It was a ruptured ovarian cyst," Mr. Pink said. "But the surgeon took your appendix out, too."
"I don't understand. What happened? Why? Am I okay?"
The Rose Lady soothed me as only a mother could. "You're fine," she said. "Just rest and get better."
I left the hospital that evening, although the doctor recommended I stay. But because I had lots of caring family around (the Pater Familias flew in later that night), she agreed to release me.
So, for a week, I have been at home, recuperating. I am almost better. Then, I return to work for two days, and then I fly off to Greece for almost two weeks. I am sure I will be completely healed when I return.
But the underlying question is, what can be done to prevent more health problems? I should exercise and eat right, of course. But what else? Do I need to attend a healing spa? Start a yoga and meditation practice? Have my chakras cleansed? Have acupuncture? Strengthen my chi? I have been so reliant on Western medicine for so long that I don't even know what alternative treatments to try. Dear readers, what has helped you recover from illness and strengthen your immune system? I await your replies.
posted by Astera @ 12:10 PM
2 Comments:
At 1:30 PM,
Anonymous said…
It's not uncommon for women in their late 20's - early 30's to have ovarian cysts.
Ovarian cysts are very easily diagnosed with ultrasound, which could also rule out appendicitis. Worst case, a CT would've clearly shown both conditions.
I'm horrified that your surgeon chose to remove your appendix for no apparent reason.
At 2:53 PM,
Astera said…
Actually, it all worked out for the best. She did think the appendix was a little inflamed, and when the pathology report came back, it showed that I was in the early stages of acute appendicitis. If I hadn't had the surgery when I did, I might not have been able to make it to Greece (see post above).
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