So, DU, I've had quite the month.
A couple of you--and God bless 'em--had noticed that I had not posted much in nearly a month.
And that's true. But don't worry. I haven't grown so despondent about the state of our nation's politics that it kept me away. Nor had I turned to the dark side and embraced all things MAGA.
I'll preface all of this with the fact that in over 4 decades on this earth, I've been extremely lucky. Besides a couple of quick trips to the ER, I've never actually been in the hospital. Never had a major medical scare or serious health condition. And while I was no doubt happy about this fact, part of me dread it, as if I was waiting for another shoe to drop. It's like watching a pitcher try for a no-hitter, knowing that at any moment a hitter could break it up. So for some reason I knew my luck was not unlimited.
About a week before Christmas, I woke up with some seriously strong abdominal cramps. Basically like my innards had been put through a vice. The pain was so bad I really couldn't concentrate on anything else. Couldn't watch TV, couldn't browse on my phone. I couldn't even keep my legs still, it was that bad. And then there was the vomiting. I couldn't keep anything down for the life of me, food or liquid.
Tried going to urgent care but they were of no help. Finally relented and checked myself into the ER. There, they gave me an IV, pain med, and did a CT scan. Turns out I had pancreatitis. Which is no picnic, but I suppose it could have been something much worse.
I get admitted. They do just about every imaging scan possible--X-rays, CT scan, ultrasound, MRIs. Eventually they think my gall bladder is the cause of the problem, but they don't want to operate on it immediately but wait for the pancreas to settle down. Finally on Christmas Eve, I get discharged.
I expect things to improve from that point on. Still had some nasty residual swelling but that eventually goes down. Still, I don't feel 100% at any time. And then, on New Year's Eve, I wake up and the pain is back. This time I don't wait around, and immediately go back to the ER.
There, they run another CT scan. Turns out my pancreatitis caused something called a "pseudocyst" which is basically a giant pocket of fluid that is pressing up against everything else inside and causing my hell. They can do an endoscopic procedure to drain it. Problem is, it's a holiday weekend so getting the doctors together to do the procedure is not an easy task.
So for about two days I have to just bear through it. Basically I can get pain meds ever 4 hours. Once I get the pain meds, it works almost instantly. I'd then go to sleep for about an hour to an hour and a half. Then I'd wake up and be okay for another half hour before the pain starts to come back. And then the last two hours are just brutal. Basically I'm counting down the minutes until I can repeat the cycle.
So for two days that's basically all that there is until finally a doctor shows up at my door and tells me out of the blue they're ready for my procedure. So they take me to the OR, I get my first experience with anesthesia, don't even remember falling asleep and then I'm awake. And best part is, my pain is gone.
I stay there for about two more days. Thankfully, I'm more mobile than I have ever been, so at least I get to take walks around the hall and keep myself active.
So I get discharged. That's not the end of it. I still have to have a gall bladder procedure in a couple of weeks. And a couple weeks after that, they have to remove some stents from the first procedure. But I'm doing okay. I'm walking very slowly. I'm back at my work. And every once in a while, I'll feel a bit of a spasm but other than that, thankfully no pain.
Bottom line, nothing terminal. Nothing life threatening. But it was definitely serious, it was definitely painful and nothing I want to repeat again. I'll probably have some dietary modifications, and I may have to give up alcohol which is (literally) sobering, but I guess I had a good enough run. So such is life.
Nurses, doctors and medical professionals were all top notch and I have a new appreciation for what they do.
So that's been what's up. If I were a medieval peasant, I'd most likely be dead by now. But thankfully, those are not my times or circumstances.
Looking forward to getting back into the swing of things, in DU Land as well as the real world.
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I've seen first hand how painful pancreatitis can be. I'm glad you're feeling better, and following the dietary restrictions really helped her.
My story, FWIW...
Several years ago I fell and cracked three ribs. The x-ray showed that the ribs were okay--I mean, while painful, they would heal without any intervention--but that I had an "enlarged biliary duct". So they did an MRI which showed gall stones. Never caused any symptoms! I had to have an ERCP (I forget what it stands for, but it could be what you're about to have where they scrape out the stones), and then have my gall bladder removed. When I asked the doc how many stones they removed, he said "Gazillions" 
. Weird.
Also I'm grateful that you survived this ordeal, my friend!
Yes indeed, if these were medieval times you'd be dead already. You probably would have died thinking that a witch cast a curse on you. Or maybe it was the devil, or maybe you offended God somehow. Aren't we glad those old days of superstition are over?
if you should ever develop abdominal pain so intractable that narcotic analgesia isn't adequately addressing it (and yes, pancreatitis can be that severe), once it has been fully diagnosed, you might ask for an anesthesiologist/pain management consultation. Epidurals ARE an option, though routine physician staff in the ER or even the ICU will not want to do it because of a lack of experience beyond diagnostic spinal taps. Ask for a consult.
And be healthy. 
I was wondering where you went.
I, too, have been having GI problems lately and am going in for tests next Wed.. I had a stomach flu thing the day after xmas and have not been more than 80% since. My interest in food is minimal. as in not having any interest in food even though my stomach is rumbling painfully and I'm getting dizzy. I can open the fridge and just stand there and look at my food and want none of it. And I only buy stuff I really like to eat.
I'm glad you found out what was up and are getting help. I fear my issue may be somewhat similar, I think it could be my gall bladder, pancreas or kidneys, I can't pinpoint it so I'll enlist my GP to help identify it. She knows I'm a homeopath and so doesn't try to push pharmaceuticals on me. I'll take them when I am convinced I should. Too many medications end up on the "my body rejects this stuff" list.
Glad you're on the mend! 
I’m so sorry! Like you my gallbladder went south and I ignored pain (ignorable pain) until suddenly I was incapacitated. I was in the hospital for quite a few days but they did get the gallbladder out. I’m sorry you have to go back.
Yes, it’s nothing to laugh off. I’m so glad you made it and are back!
makes my aches and pains seem like nothing by comparison.
Best wishes Tommy Carcetti.
So sorry to hear you were so ill!
Wtf drs would not do procedure because of a Hallmark holiday? 
Glad you're on the mend! 
We're also extremely grateful we're not peasants living in medieval times. 
Details at Eleven.
Seriously, though, thanks to everyone who checked in. I wish I could thank each and every one of you individually, but the response was so overwhelming.
There's a reason this has been my go-to website for over a decade and half.
Much love, DU!