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Surgery

I am currently writing this on my phone while lying in bed at the hospital.

Early yesterday morning I woke up to excruciating abdominal pain, similar to the severe round ligament pain I had experienced during my pregnancy with Claire. With this pregnancy being so similar to the last, I had believed myself to have been lucky to have been spared such dramatic afflictions, but I was wrong.

When the pain level reached that of labor pains, J called his brother to come watch Claire so that we could head to the hospital. Being 25 weeks pregnant, I was admitted to Labor & Delivery right away. The pain continued to grow worse, but BebeDeux seemed to be in good condition.

Soon, the pain became almost unbearable. I could not walk or talk, only rock back and forth with tears streaming down my face. I began to vomit and shake uncontrollably. My OB prescribed me some morphine, but that would only provide me about an hour of relief and then the vicious cycle would begin all over again.

It was the worst physical pain of my life.

This was not round ligament pain, like last time. Neither was I in premature labor (and with labor pains, I would at least get some relief between contractions while this pain was continuous).

The doctors were perplexed. All my bloodwork, abdominal ultrasounds, and other pregnancy-safe tests came back normal. But after about the 9th hour of this agony, they decided that an MRI was needed. There were some risks to the baby, sure, but they just could not figure out what was wrong with me.

I fervently prayed that the MRI would show what the other tests did not, and it did…

Accute appendicitis.

I needed surgery asap, before my appendix burst.

My OB, surgeon, and anestheseologist all assured me that the procedure would be safe for BebeDeux. And that the small risks involved with the surgery were nothing compared to the risks I would be taking by not getting my appendix removed and quite possibly have it burst.

A couple of hours later, I gave J a kiss and told him I loved him while getting wheeled into the OR. And an hour after that, I woke up to my surgeon informing me that the surgery was a success, and that my inflamed appendix was now no more.

So here I am now, back in the maternity ward, recovering from surgery while they monitor BebeDeux. She seems to be handling it a lot better than her mama, and I am forever grateful for that.

Depending on my progress, I may be discharged as early as today. Be that as it may, I can’t help but be worried about the upcoming week or two as I continue to recover and have little Claire to take care of…J will most likely need to work from home many days, and/or our nanny will need to come in for extra hours.

Please keep our family in your prayers as we recover from yesterday’s surgery. I hope that you’re all having better weekends than me. 🙂

  • Palila

    Having had appendicitis myself, one of the benefits of having had it is nice that you don’t ever have to worry about it coming back. And, though it felt like I’d been hit by a truck at first, I was quickly up and about, feeling much, much better in a few days. Same story with my dad, who had it last year.

    Hope your recovery is speedy! (And glad it was discovered before bursting.)

    July 24, 2011 at 6:29 am Reply
  • Sahir

    Ouch. Good luck / take care…
    My opinion of medicine in the west is not particularly high. 15 Years ago, my father needed a ct scan to have his malaria diagnosed, and you required an MRI to have your appendix diagnosed. Any qualified GP should have been able to diagnose these just from symptoms without the need for expensive scans… Where is medicine going?

    July 24, 2011 at 6:48 am Reply
      • Sahir

        Glad you’re feeling better – and happy to see that the only comment you replied to was mine!

        July 30, 2011 at 4:31 am Reply
  • Musing on Beauty

    Wow, you must have been terrified! I’m glad your surgery went well. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

    July 24, 2011 at 7:00 am Reply
  • Erin

    Wow, how scary! So sorry to hear that you have to deal with all this. I hope your recovery continues to go smoothly.

    July 24, 2011 at 8:06 am Reply
  • Pablo Lara H

    What can I say? Scary experience. I wish you good luck and stay strong!

    July 24, 2011 at 9:22 am Reply
  • busylizzy

    Oh my! You scared me. I wish you all the best, a speedy recovery, an easy birth (when the TIME is RIGHT) and also all the best for CLaire and J. You deserve it girl!

    July 24, 2011 at 9:32 am Reply
  • Annie

    We were so worried and glad that you got surgery to feel better! Hang in there and have a speedy recovery. We’re also here to help so don’t worry ok?

    July 24, 2011 at 10:32 am Reply
  • Jody

    My thoughts and prayers are with you! Hope you have a speedy recovery.

    July 24, 2011 at 11:01 am Reply
  • kelsey

    Oh no Jenny! I’m thinking of you and your family.

    July 24, 2011 at 11:25 am Reply
  • Kit

    I hope you have a speedy recovery! I am in disbelief how you have to deal with so much during your pregnancy’s. So i am also going to pray that from here on out you have a marvelously smooth and (if possible) enjoyable pregnancy!

    July 24, 2011 at 11:36 am Reply
  • Meghan

    Oh my gracious, I’m so glad you’re okay!!

    July 24, 2011 at 11:37 am Reply
  • Kathryn

    How scary that must’ve been to not know what was wrong – I’m so glad they figured things out and that you’re now recovering.

    July 24, 2011 at 11:39 am Reply
  • Red Stethoscope

    Oh, honey. I’m so glad that you and BebeDeux are OK! I will be sending up prayers for you and your family. Take it easy and don’t be tempted to push yourself these next few days! Your body needs rest!!!!

    July 24, 2011 at 11:41 am Reply
  • Coasting anon

    (o)

    July 24, 2011 at 11:42 am Reply
  • janieishme

    My own father had a brief scare with appendicitis (but they luckily caught it in time) so I’m no stranger to the fear behind it. I am so, so glad that you and baby are doing all right. Best wishes for a speedy recovery! Take this time to rest up fully!

    July 24, 2011 at 11:58 am Reply
  • Carly

    Oh my goodness, so scary! Sending you healing thoughts, Jenny. You are amazingly brave. xo

    July 24, 2011 at 12:17 pm Reply
  • Susan

    I’m so sorry to hear that, but thank God you received the surgery in time. Sorry you had to experience such pain. 🙁
    Praying for you and the baby.. I hope you feel better!

    July 24, 2011 at 12:36 pm Reply
  • jessicamaylords

    Oh Jenny, that’s terrible! I’m so sorry. I will definitely be praying for you and your dear family. In some ways, it’s GOOD it hurt so much so you would go to the doctor and get diagnosed before it burst… but I’m sure that doesn’t take away the frustration, pain, or medical bills. I hope you’re able to relax and heal up fast!

    July 24, 2011 at 12:46 pm Reply
  • Bonnie Joy

    Ouch! Praying that you recover quickly.

    July 24, 2011 at 5:06 pm Reply
  • Laura

    Oh no! Having your appendix go crazy is no fun. I know. I had to have mine taken out. So did my husband, he was actually on a cruise when his started acting up and had a crazy situation to get him back to mainland to get it taken care of.

    I can only imagine how stressful this is when you are pregnant. I hope you start feeling better soon. And make sure no one makes you laugh for awhile cause that won’t be funny at all!

    July 24, 2011 at 5:25 pm Reply
  • serena @bigapplenosh

    Oh my! I’m glad they acted before it burst. Keeping you in my thoughts for a speedy recovery.

    July 24, 2011 at 5:35 pm Reply
  • MrsW

    Oh my gosh! Praise the Lord that they found it before things got really bad! I’m praying for you guys right now.

    July 24, 2011 at 7:12 pm Reply
  • Amanda

    I’m so glad you and the baby are both okay! Feel better soon!

    July 24, 2011 at 8:37 pm Reply
  • Angela

    Oh my gosh!! Thank goodness you and Baby Deux are ok!!

    July 24, 2011 at 10:27 pm Reply
  • Helene

    it’s good to hear that you and bebedeux are fine! wish you a speedy recovery in no time!

    July 24, 2011 at 11:02 pm Reply
  • Stephanie

    So glad they were able to operate safely and take you out of pain and your baby out of danger! I’ll definitely be praying for ease and peace in the coming days for you. 🙂

    July 25, 2011 at 12:08 am Reply
  • Rachael

    How scary! I’m so glad you’re okay!

    July 25, 2011 at 12:10 am Reply
  • Amanda

    Yikes. What a weekend you had! I’m so glad that all went well during the surgery and that you and baby are doing fine. Please keep us updated on your recovery.

    July 25, 2011 at 12:38 am Reply
  • Wendy

    Feel better!

    July 25, 2011 at 12:42 am Reply
  • Eek565

    Yikes! I’ll be praying!

    July 25, 2011 at 8:47 am Reply

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