America's North Shore Journal

In late November 2005, I was hospitalized for an infected appendix. While the imaging was said to be certain, the surgeon decided not to operate. I caught c-dif in the hospital and eventually went home to the next four years.

Off an on I have had pain the the right lower quadrant (lrq) of my abdomen. Tests and scans revealed a number of things, some mutually exclusive, but no solution. The GI doc continued to suggest a colonoscopy. I continued to suggest he go first.

Friday, November 27, after I got home from a second feast at my sister’s, I began to fell the same old symptoms. Bloating and lrq pain. By now, the medical consensus was Crohn’s Disease so I just figured I got into some gluten at her house and went to bed.

Hardly got out of bed that Saturday. Very much a struggle to find a position where I was in no pain.

Sunday was little better. Walking doubled over. No other signs of infection, no fever, no diarrhea.

Monday, got the diarrhea and called my PMD. Dr. Cutie was not available and suggested Urgent Care or the E/D. Since I was headed for the E/D in any event, I picked door number 2.

Irondequoit Ambulance took me across the city to Parkridge/Unity Health. We’ve begun using them as they seem to be cleaner and more patient engaged than the other hospitals.

This was no exception. Two giggling nurses admitted me and got me prepped for imaging. The E/R doc got me pain and nausea meds right away. A polite refusal of rectally introduced medium contrast was allowed and zoom. I was scanned.

And I had a bouncing baby appendix. Saw a surgical PA, the surgeon, and off to be prepped. The anesthesia doc listened to me and gave me something with amnesia properties. If I got sick from the anesthetic, I don’t remember it. That’s the way I like it.

Woke up in the ICU on Tuesday. Felt lousy all day but could eat. Meds worked great. Decided I needed another night, and I very much did. Too unsteady on my feet and very confused.

The staff generously and genially answered all my wife’s questions since she is confined by her health to the house without a great deal of prep.

Wednesday am was the ticket. Ate a surprisingly large breakfast. Ready to go home. Watch surgeon pull an 8 inch drain from my abdomen. Think 8 inches of garden hose stuck in you. Very odd feeling inside and just a brief bit of pain when it came out.

It was laproscopic surgery. 3 holes, no waiting. Holes still smart like the dickens, especially the largest on my left side. Movement is restricted slightly.

I have zero energy. Enough to get up an pee, and eat and go back to bed. Fortunately, that seems to suit the cats who join me in all three pursuits.

Nothing but praise for the people at Parkridge/Unity Health. Quick and efficient diagnosis and provision of definitive care. Concern for patient comfort and loads of good humor and smiles. American medicine at its best.

From arrival at emergency department to definitive diagnosis: 11 am to 3:45 pm.

From diagnosis to surgical intervention: 3:45 pm to 7 pm.