Working with a Ruptured Appendix

In this health conscious era, do you really do what you need to do to make sure you stay healthy? I learned my lesson years ago when I had my appendix out years ago. I had been feeling a pain in my stomach for a few days. I assumed it was a virus or a stomach flu that was going around, and thought nothing of it. During this time, I was showing up for work and taking care of my responsibilities.

Over the next six days, I tried a number of over the counter medications. They all failed, and it was at this point, after I finished my responsibilities at work on Monday, that I finally went to the doctor to get checked out. After running a number of tests, the doctor told me I either had a kidney infection, or my appendix needed to come out.

I looked at the doctor and asked if it was my appendix, how long I would need to recover. Upon telling me it would take three to four days, I replied, "I can't afford to take that much time off from work. Maybe we can schedule this for sometime down the road.

"Look, if it's your appendix, it's not the typical appendicitis. Let's get you over to the hospital to meet with the surgeon and he'll give you a second opinion. We won't do anything without your permission, but let's at least know what we're dealing with," was the doctor's reply.

After meeting with the surgeon and having him run similar tests on me that the doctor had just completed, he said it was my appendix and he wanted to get it out NOW, because he was afraid if he didn't it might rupture. Reluctantly, I agreed.

After the surgery was complete, the surgeon told me I was lucky as, by his estimations, my appendix had ruptured two to three days earlier. About three days after the operation, the surgeon told me that they had just gotten the lab results back, "And, you'll be glad to know, it was your appendix that we took out".

I laughed but he explained that there really were some things in my body that he couldn't identify because they were in such bad shape. He explained that whatever it was needed to come out but, in reality, he couldn't be sure it was the appendix.

I'm pleased to say I learned my lesson. Early this year I hadn't been feeling right. While it turned out to be nothing, I did get myself checked out. I urge you too, if something seems off, you know your body better than anyone else; get it checked out and make sure you are okay.