"Life, the Universe, and my Hernia Surgery" Topic

Short version: I'm having Hernia surgery Monday morning.

Long version: In the fall I began to have what I call a "Nagging ache" in my groin. Not a real bother, just something saying "Hi…how ya doing?" I had just turned 48, and my work, while not heavy, is physical. So I put it down to everyday aches and pains and a case of "whatever I did, don't do it again." I lived with it, no biggie, till on either December 23rd or 24th (I don't remember) I sneezed and YOUCH!!!!!!! Whatever my problem was hit me about 10 times worse. And the dull little ache pumped up to a double me over and hold my right groin stabbing pain. I lived with THAT till the Monday after Christmas when I was able to see my Doctor. He snapped on a glove, said "Turn your head and cough", grabbed, felt and said "Dave, what you have here is a Hernia. I'll refer you to the Great Lakes Hernia Center".

OK. Never had Surgery before (unless tonsils out at 6 years old count). So I'm a little apprehensive. Especially since it's, ya know, down by my Daddy parts. I don't like people poking around downtown. (Side note: Ladies, I now have a whole new respect what you must go through for your health. And MY exam was just a simple garb and cough). I get to the Hernia Center and the Doctor there also does the Feelie Touchie. (Rather roughly I might add, I hurt the rest of the day. AND he DIDN'T wear a glove! He just washed his hands when he was done.) He hooks my up for a Surgery on Monday January 12th.

Fast forward till Sunday the 11th. I play in a British vs. Zulu game with Mr. Wigglesworth and Pictors Studios. We eat at Rally's at Noon. By 2pm, I'm feeling rather poorly and take my leave. By 3, I'm violently ill, spending the next 5 hours purging myself of the Rally's (side note: not the hamburgers, it was the Chili Dogs, which were gross the first time around). My wife gets home from the Hospital (she's a PICU Nurse) at 8, she's worried that my Hernia had twisted, vomiting is a symptom of that. We now have 2 choices. One: Her drive me to the hospital and sit in pain (did I mention the cramps and pain) till they see us, or two: call 911. 5 minutes later, the Ambulance pulls up. Nice people the EMS guys. Really. The IV start didn't hurt much and one of them has a Grandchild due in June. (Side note: Why do Grandparents always talk about the Grandkids….?)

So anyway, I make it to the ER; 3 X-rays, a blood test, and a shot of an Anti-nausea drug (I think it was called Phenagrin(sp?) and BOY does it make you sleepy) later, the ER Doc say my Hernia was fine (???) they feel that I have a stomach virus, my White Blood cell count is elevated. They are gonna call the Surgeon (BTW: it's now midnight). The Surgeon calls the operation off for at least a week, he wants whatever I have to be out of my system before cutting. I honestly believe it was the Rally's. I felt "fine" the next day. Both Linda (my wife) and I have had Food Safety Inspection training and it was stressed to us that there is no such thing as the 24 hour flu…….that is Food Poisoning.

Anyway, I now have an extra week off work, and my surgery is on Monday morning. Now you all know….whether you wanted to or not

Dave the soon to be scarred.
"Scars are just tattoos with better stories"

I have a new Granddaughter coming in Feb. DUDE !!!!!!!! I'm cringing in pain for ya !!!!!!!!

I thought the Rally's was actually not that bad. :)

Good luck with the surgery, Dave. I'm sure it will be fine. Those surgeons know what they are doing.

Also Dave managed to survive an assassination attempt on Friday night by Mr. Wigglesworth. Mr. W took his best shot with the Brown Trail from Dallas story but somehow he just narrowly missed.

Good luck, Pz General. I'm sure they'll have you patched up in no time.

Get well soon, brother. I wish you a speedy recovery.

I was wondering why I did not see you at Spartacon. I thought it might have been the weather, now I know it was your groin. I kind of wince, when I think of you throwing up and having a Hernia, ouch. Good Luck.

Mike

"Those surgeons know what they are doing"……….

I had a hernia repaired when I was about 30. Same day surgery. In in the morning, out that afternoon. During recovery, it's very important not to lift much weight (like a 5 pound max for a few weeks). You'll be surprised to learn just how many other body parts are really attached to your groin area. Last bit of advice, avoid watching anything really humorous. I didn't get that tid bit of advice and while watching something akin to the comdey channel -- well, a Percoset helped ease the discomfort.

Good luck with the surgery.

I have nothing to add, but am snickering at the story, since the "Family Guy" where Peter gets his Prostate Exam was on last night…

Good luck with the procedure.
(And good thing it is happeneing on a weekday!)

Good luck, PzGeneral!

Thank how much better you are going to feel after you have recovered.

While recovering, make Wigglesworth and Pictors move your troops around.

When they say take it easy post-op for a few months,they mean it. Good luck!

Mine was much the same a pmwalt. In and out the same day. It has been over 20 years.

If you think touchie feelie examine is bad, try a vasectomy. Talk about weird.

Had a 'double' four years ago. Uncomfortable but it passes and you're good as new.

Had a double when I was 21. Just don't get freaked when "it" turns purple. "Lividity" my doctor said between howls of laughter when I telephoned him in a panic.