I was so excited about my sister having her first baby and about getting to keep my 10-year-old nephew that I continued to power through some increasingly painful stomach symptoms. Toni gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Lynnli Jane - picture in previous post, on Thursday 6/23. That evening and the next morning I was still making excuses in my head for the now severe pain in my abdomen. When I took Gage to the hospital Thursday night to see his baby sister for the last time that day I had to confess to him that my stomach was hurting when I walk and ask him to walk slower with me. Being the wonderful little gentleman he is, he happily shuffled slowly into the hospital with me. By the time we left the hospital I could barely bare the pain of standing up or walking.
Friday morning I took Gage back to the hospital where we joyously took turns holding his beautiful baby sister then we walked over to McDonald's to have lunch together then back for more baby holding. Gage is going to be a terrific big brother - he is so proud of Lynnli and loves her so much.
We left Gage with his parents and Don took me to the Dr. office for my 3:10 'work in' appointment. We finally saw Dr. Scott about 4:15. Things started moving quickly and I had blood and urine tests and a CT scan. The radiologist read the CT scan and Dr. Scott was sending me to the hospital for an emergency appendectomy by 4:30.
To shorten the story a bit I will just say that what should have been a quick surgery and easy solution to my problem became a bit more confusing. During the surgery the surgeon found that my appendix was not the only organ swollen - all my organs were inflamed. He left my appendix in and closed the incisions. They are in the process of trying to find out what is going on. The Dr. thinks it is colon related. Blood tests show a strong white blood count - which ruled out cancer. THANK YOU JESUS!
I have been on two different types of IV Antibiotics and a steroid since Friday night. Last night I FINALLY got to have some clear liquid to eat. That went OK so this morning they let me eat real food for breakfast. Swelling and pain are much improved and I am feeling better than I have for weeks.
The plan for today is to see how my body responds to the food I am eating. I MAY get to go home this evening (which would be great since it is my birthday!). Unfortunately I will have to come back Monday or Tuesday for a colonoscopy. The surgeon said last night that he is thinking I may have Crohn's Disease. I was hoping for a more short-term problem but if it is Crohn's Disease it is something that can be managed many times with diet and medicine.
Please pray for my Dr.s that they will have the wisdom they need to make a correct diagnosis.
