I woke up with 5am with abdomen pain. Thinking it was the usual bowels, I tried to pass it on. Nothing happened and the pain persisted with nothing in my rectum. Getting a little desperate, I tried using a rectum suppository laxative and drinking water.
Half self suspecting Appendicitis based on my medical knowledge as a medic and from intensive reading, I took a taxi over to the hospital where I worked at. After all, I had been eating a little too much glutinous rice for the past 3 weeks in an effort to save money (the days when I am really broke). Losing some sleep, a little dehydration and sensing my immune system is down, its not too hard to figure it out.
Admitting myself to the emergency room, the standards are done. Consultation, blood test, chest XR and abdomen inspection. There was tenderness at right bottom abdomen quadrant, but all this isnt indicative since the appendix can shift. The Medical Officer (MO) taking my examination decided to ask his Senior Consultant (SC) about my Ankylosing Spondylitis history and its relation to Appendicitis. I wasnt really shocked at the SCs confirmation of not wanting to rule out the possibility, since Ankylosing Spondylitis and Appendicitis are generally inflammatory conditions. I was told surgical intervention is highly likely, not exactly urgent but should be done within 12 hours.
The period before being transferred to the ward was the most difficult. I told my family, friends, boss and colleagues where I am, particularly asking one of the colleagues to pick up the work duty phone from me. Other than my colleague coming in quickly to get the phone with a short chat, the world sank in around me. I was very lost at the prospective of having the 1st surgery in my life. I was feeling cold, thinking too much and couldnt sleep to pass the 15 minutes which felt like 1 hour.
I asked for a Class C ward (the lowest rated ward, single cubicle with 6 beds), but somehow I entered a Class B ward (single cubicle of 2 beds + air conditioning). Feeling pain, I didnt bother much till much later on, I found out that I was charged at Class C rates even I stayed at Class B due to the hospital lacking Class C beds. Call that luck?
The Staff Nurses were surprised to see me since I work in the hospital itself, which made it easier for me to work with them on a project later on. One of them told me I have to fast with no food and water given to me, prior to standards for all operations. IV antibiotics was administered and I slept for a while.
It was still early, so the Consultants doing their morning ward rounds came over to see their new admission. They were also surprised to see me. I was explained the possibilities; either it is enlarged Lymph Nodes or Appendicitis, depending on the results of the CT scan which I would be taking soon. From that point if it is the Lymph Nodes, no operation would be required and IV antibiotics would continue till the pain is gone.
If it is Appendicitis, an Appendectomy would proceed regardless if they found an inflamed appendix or not as a safeguard. Exploratory surgery would also be done for a normal appendix is found.
I became less nervous when my friends and my father came over. The doctors confirm their diagnosis during their afternoon ward round after the CT scan. The Appendectomy operation was scheduled to take place later at night.
I used to play a medical simulator called Life and Death, where surgeries are performed. Guess it was fun back then, maybe not now huh.

Similar posts: appendicitis surgery

Stomache focusing on the right lower point could be the first symptom of appendicitis. Sometimes we didn't realize this symptom (including me) until it gets bad and you find out something wrong with it! Yup...appendicitis usually gives sudden sympton (such as in my case). I went to the office in the morning and the next few hours I found my self in the surgery room (hiksss).

FYI, take a look for a few points on the symptoms:
* Pain focusing in the right lower stomach;
* Increasing pain which cause stoop position when walks;
* Feel sick even could cause retch;
* Fever and feel an acute pain when move.

If you reach the latest symptom, you should do surgery!! Otherwise your appendix could be blow out and caused fatal damage in the others stomach part which called PERITONITIS.

Usually the doctor will do several checks on the symptoms. Including physical checking at the pelvis and rectum, laboratory tests, urine, abdomen rontgen, USG or also CT Scan if needed.

Surgery process could be by open surgery or with Laparoscopic. Not really know about that.

Similar posts: appendicitis surgery