The last week has sucked to say it nicely. Things appear to be heading in a good direction now. Let’s review what’s happened.
As you’re aware, I’ve been dealing with an enlarged spleen and inconsistent varying degrees of pain for several months. Back on January 31st, I had a CT scan which confirmed the diagnosis of an enlarged spleen. Since then I have tried to get an MRI which was desirable to get more information as to the health of the spleen and the likely root cause of the enlargement. This information would help drive the direction of treatment. Due to my being claustrophobic a couple of MRI appointments were not successful. I finally found an MRI imaging center that had a large open-bore MRI machine in Lewiston Maine and scheduled an appointment for April 25th.
After returning to Maine from a combination business/personal trip in South Carolina and Georgia on Friday the 5th – I had one day back – on Saturday the 6th. That Saturday evening/Sunday morning I woke up with severe abdominal pains. I was very surprised because my overall control of symptoms from January 31st had been extremely good. I was driven to the hospital in Bangor Sunday morning and remained there until this past Friday when I was finally discharged.
During my time in the hospital, I had another CT scan and MRI, and my spleen was drained of almost 2 liters of fluid. A drainage tube was installed and I have tubes and a bag hanging out of my left side as my spleen continues to drain. Once the draining stops it will be removed and I’ll have yet another CT scan.
This past week was the most painful and scary of my life. There were times I did not think I would ever leave the hospital alive. The road to recovery is going to be long and I don’t really know what it will look like exactly. I have a difficult time taking deep breaths as it hurts. A year ago I weighed 210 pounds and now I am down to 185. My stomach has shrunk and eating “normal” is a big priority. I’m on a lot of pain meds, antibiotics, muscle relaxants, and such.
Having never been through anything like this I am finding some challenges I did not expect. My mental capacity is somewhat clouded. I’m struggling to think about some of the projects we have going on at the cabin as I’m just not at a physical level to work on any of those. I keep thinking about the tens of thousands of dollars in medical bills that are adding up – with no health insurance. The list goes on.
The bottom line is I can only do what I can do. I can’t squeeze blood out of a rock and as much as I hate to admit it – I’m only human.
Maine Prepper Girl has been beside me the entire time. Her medical background has been a godsend both in the hospital and well as out. Her presence while I was engulfed in pain was comforting. She knew questions to ask as well as suggestions to make that I would never have known. She’s providing valuable home healthcare and continued emotional support as well. I am beyond thankful for her!
I have no major changes here on this website other than publishing is likely to be less request for at least the next month or so. I appreciate all the well wishes and prayers I’ve received in the past as I’ve shared some of my health issues. Thank you.
Take care all and with the world we live in today – Keep prepping!
Rourke
Sending prayers for both of you. Just take care of yourselves.
Thanks so much SingleMom! 🙏
I’m sorry to hear this , luckily you seem in amazing hands from Maine girl prepper . Prays for you both on the road ahead!
With Maine Prepper Girl’s help I bet you make a full if not speedy recovery. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Thanks Mr. Gault. Working on it.
Sorry to hear of you suffering John. I have always thought that our bodies know how to be well and want to be well. We just need to give them the right raw materials. I’m glad you have you sweet Prepper Girl with you. That is worth a lot. Hang in there buddy. Stay positive.
Thanks CaptTurbo. 👍
Adding you to my prayers, hang it there. Getting sucks.
Thanks Terry. Prayers are very welcome.
I am so sorry to hear of your medical issues. Stay as positive as possible and all of us here are praying and thinking of both of you. I have been thru some medical issues myself and I know how hard it is.
Keep the faith and do whatever is necessary for healing to come. My blessings to both if you.
Thanks so much Jana. Really appreciate it.
John: So sorry to learn of your medical problems. We wish you all the best and a speedy recovery! Thanks. also. to Prepper Girl for all her support and all she does!
A former homesick Bangor resident now living in TX, I am familiar with the Bangor medical community.
Rick
Small world Rick. Appreciate the well wishes!
John, we pray your recovery will be fast and complete. You are lucky to have MPG, she is an Angel. From experience, pain and meds will cause problems with thinking and memory, it will clear up as you recover.
Thanks JohnP. I’ve reduced pain meds dramatically and you were 100% correct. Thinking much better.
You’ve got this. I survived a literal near-death experience from MRSA that got into my lungs and bloodstream at the age of 63. I am keeping you and MPG in my thoughts and prayers because you can never have too many prayer warriors on your side. Good luck and get well soon.
Thank you MIPatriot. 100% correct…can’t have too many prayer warriors. I’ve been praying a lot lately.
JR, hoping you will mend quickly and regain your health. Prayers for you and MPG , good luck podna, hang tough!
Thanks so much George.
Understand completely what extreme pain is like and my heart goes out to you. It is such a helpless feeling, as you lay there and there isn’t a darn thing that you, personally, can do to relieve the pain you are experiencing. I hate to be such a downer, but it just plain sucks…… I know you are so blessed to have Prepper Girl by your side. Some things, we just go through on our own, in the moment. Bright side? The good days will be so much brighter! Blessings!
Appreciate it. I have no doubt that those good days will feel so much better.
prayers sent,
get better soon bro. its most likely just a bump in the road to old age. it happens when we get older. i deal with that shit every day. back pain, knee problems, gout. but it has not slowed me down. 64 and no drugs other than alieve and ibuprophen.
i tried the oxy. crap for a short while and it did not help me. i still hurt but i was to screwed up to care, it was not for me. i just grit my teeth and go on now. an altered reality and a drug dependency is no way to go through life. i have no advice about internal organs other than going to a good doctor. those who have retired from the military are the best if you can find one, those guys have seen everything.
staying active has been the best medicine for me, don’t sit down!!!
take care and best of luck.
Appreciate the words Scout. Thanks so much!