Survived an emergency hemicolectomy and appendectomy after banding

[Exude 0]

I was banded on March 5th and everything was going fine... until I had some pain. Here is a post I made on my personal website, but figured I could share the story with my fellow bandsters. Keep in mind, I did not discuss my LAP-BAND surgery in it, nor did my band have anything to do with my problems. Nobody really knows about the band and I have been keeping it that way. But I've just been going through so much with the band surgery on the 5th, this emergency surgery on the 21st, and a potential breakup from the woman of my life of 4 years. Sigh...

Tuesday, March 20th, 2007, I woke up with a slight discomfort in my lower right quadrant (abdomen). I passed it off thinking it was just gas and let my day go by as normally. I figured that I would wait overnight to see if it went away, but it did not.

Wednesday, March 21st, 2007, I went about my day as normally. I met with my friend Sharior (a fellow nursing student) as we were going to meet with WSU's Cultural Diversity Director. While waiting for our meeting, I stood up and sat down and Sharior's keen eye noticed I was cringing. I passed it off as gas again, but the place I was pointing was not somewhere I should have persistent pain. Sharior exclaimed that my appendix was in that area and I should call my Doctor. I really did not want to, but decided I might as well be safe than sorry.

I called my home Physician who sent me a voicemail within the first minutes of my 4:00 PM meeting saying "Go to the ER right now, if it is your appendix, it may burst and you could have a systemic infection!" I was nervous and left the meeting immediately. The walk home was not fun with my huge backpack and persistent pain with each step.

I got home and had my friend Brittney drive me to the the ER at Community Memorial Hospital in Winona. My roomies were all either unavailable or did not have a car, but figured I should not drive just in case something happened. I am very thankful that someone was available to help me with that.

At the hospital, they drew labs and did an X-Ray to evaluate possible appendicitis. Dr. White evaluated the results saying that it is 90% unlikely my appendix, but only a CT scan could be for sure. I encouraged him that I needed to be sure so we went ahead with the scan. Approximately an hour later, he came in and said "we found something abnormal." He had already called the on-call surgeon and the surgery team to come in. This was 9:00 PM at night already and I came in at 4:30 PM.

At 9:30 PM, after making numerous calls to those of my support network, I was wheeled in for an hour-long routine appendectomy. I came out at 2:00 AM. When I awoke, the first thing I remembered was Lindsay and my buddy Jessi at the bed side asking if I knew what happened. They said "it's 2:30 AM, it wasn't your appendix!" I was trying to sink it all in... but they said "it was a perforated colon."

I had a right hemicolectomy and appendectomy. Apparently, my colon had perforated and stool was leaking into my system. If I left it alone any longer, I could have developed a systemic infection, or peritonitis... potentially fatal. This scared me after the fact because I really wasn't planning on going in. I can't believe I only thought of it as gas!

I stayed in the intensive care unit for most of the next day before transferring to the medical/surgical unit. It was fun running into many of the same nurses I had worked with in my clinicals. A lot of them recognized me and were very supportive.

The support was pouring for me! I had many nursing students visit, nursing faculty even, and many friends from around the area got in touch with me. I could not believe it, but my nursing class banded together to make a large poster board of many pics of them! It is amazing to see so many lend a hand to support me. To those, I thank you with all my heart.

Today, I am home up in the Twin Cities. I figured that my parents could make me dinner and the like while I properly recover. My Surgeon said that I should not resume anything for FOUR weeks. I had planned on starting classes next monday... but she said no way. Then I asked about the following monday, and she said unlikely, but you can try... and maybe only for one class or so.

I am worried about getting all my stuff done, but the support of the nursing faculty has made me feel better. They don't want me worrying about anything and to first recover. What department is more understanding than Nursing?!

I will have an approximately 16" scar on my abdomen. But I have recovered from something that was unexpected and what my Surgeon likes to call, "a fluke." Thanks everyone for your continued support. If any of you need me for anything, just leave me a message or give me a ring. I won't be in town until next Wednesday and like I said, hopefully back to school Monday the 9th. I am anxious to graduate this May and may need an extra hand or two to help me get by.

In these pictures, you can barely see my band scars. This is my new scar that will be there until I get my Tummy Tuck in a few years (I'm hopeful). By the way, I've lost 45 lbs. since January. Thanks for listening guys.

-Jason

[waterlily1072 5]

Wow I am so glad you are ok! Did they say what could have caused it?

[HarleyNana 10]

Poor baby, that looks like it hurts A LOT!

Glad you're doing so well physically and emotionally, also, what a great support group you have.

[jillrn 0]

It could have been caused by the scopes used for the lap band.

[Karlee 0]

OMG Jason I am so sorry this happen to you

my prayer are with you take care of yourself

and I hope you have a speedy recovery

[Exude 0]

It could have been caused by the scopes used for the lap band.

Thanks for the comments everyone!

Both my band surgeon and the one that performed the emergency surgeries have concluded that it could not have been caused by the scopes. For one, it was in a different quadrant, but also the biopsy revealed that my stool went through my colon. I couldn't believe it! I was saying, "I've crapped for 23 years and all of a sudden it decides to perforate?!" Yeah, it sucks to have lightning hit twice. I'm in bed still, but hopefully will be getting back to school soon. I've already missed three weeks now and am supposed to graduate in exactly ONE month, ugh.

-Jason

[Victoriana 10]

Wow, glad your ok, What an amazing journey. Your tummy will heal, and shrink and you have a long and great life ahead of you. Best wishes!

[juliegeraci 7]

Wow, what a story. I am glad you are okay.

[Mal 0]

Sorry to hear all the troubles you have had to face. Keep us posted on your recovery and I wish you the best with your graduation!! Hang in there!

[Marimaru 7]

Wow, thank you for sharing that. I'm glad it was caught in time and you're ok!

[bridgetbliss 0]

hi.

its my first time on this site. iwas just browsing thru when i saw your touching story.

i had an emergency appendicectomy and hemicolectomy 3years ago and it was quite a challenging experience for me. there is nothing worse than to be told you need an hour's surgery and you wake up five or six hours later to find staples holding your stomach together. i can tell you what a strong and courageous young man you are. after my surgery my parents told me that when i saw my scar i fainted from the shock the doctors had to keep me in intensive care heavily sedated for two more days. initially the doctors had told me i was going to have a laparoscopic surgery to take out my inflamed appendix and during the surgery they discovered a tumor looking something almost the size of my little girls fist and they made the decision to open me up and take out a foot long of my right colon. after all the shock had gone i was really thankful to the doctors for saving my life even the scar i cherish it a lot because its a reminder of when i almost lost my life without even knowing it. to put in better terms; i was a walking time bomb waiting to explode any time.

its good to know you can keep your head up after an experience like that. i am sure by now you are feeling better and you managed to resume your education. as for me it took me at least two years to really start leaving a normal life and i am back at University doing my Science Foundation Course.

[bethm 0]

Glad you're okay! That sounds like it must have been so scary for you!