I am very nervous any words of wisdom.

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cujo	I am very nervous any words of wisdom.	Lead	[-]
Posts: 338 (12/16/09 08:15 PM) active member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Tags : None Hey All, I was at the doctors today and found out that I have a hernia since I have been having pains in the groin and abdomen area. The doctors said that it was a small one and gave me some antibiotics and pain medicine. He said that if the hernia twists I will need surgery and if it does I am so nervous about being cut open for only about a half inch to fix it and not only that at age 19 yet. So we will just have to see if the medicine works first if not then surgery. What I am I looking at here? Like it just worries me so much that the doctor said that if it twists then it would only leave a window of 3 weeks to get to a doctor before it becomes fatal. Boy I thought this would never happen at such a young age to me. I am just so scared and worried that tonight and for the following days it will be hard for me to sleep knowing that if it twists during sleep that I will not notice it. I did not mean to scare or worry anyone, but most of the members here are some of my only friends that share an interest with me to the point of crying wondering what the future has for me. You guys have become like a family to me that I never had and I have always known that I could come to these forums for help and friendly conversation and I thank you guys for that and Thank you for listening and helping me through this. Mike
beanstrung		#1	[-]
Posts: 5830 (12/16/09 08:20 PM) Forum Site Moderator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Listen to your doctors. But don't despair over a simple surgery with a half-inch incision. Our lady friends routinely have their "tubes" disabled with similar sized incisions (one on each side), and go home the same day. My wife drove herself home after the surgery, and she still reminds me of having to do so 20 years later. (At the time, I had been out of work for 9 months, and had just started a brand-new job, and I was afraid they wouldn't let me take time off to take her to and from the surgery... I should have risked it, instead of listening to 20 years worth of "reminders") --------------------------------------------------------------------------- What part of "shall not be infringed" don't you understand? Joel 3:9-10 Last Edited By: beanstrung 12/16/09 08:23 PM. Edited 1 times.
cujo		#2	[-]
Posts: 340 (12/16/09 08:27 PM) active member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I know Bean, but it does still scare me since I have never had any type of surgery before and the pain is just so bad right now that I can bearly move. Mike
Aubullet		#3	[-]
Posts: 1492 (12/16/09 08:57 PM) Veteran member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Hernia is not uncommon. Best to just try and relax, as that will aid in it reducing itself and in lessening the pain. If you have to go under the knife, it will be about as simple a procedure as is done these days, so there is really very little to worry about. Unless you are going out of any civilization for a long stay, you have very little to concern yourself with. I think the Doctor gave you the three week death threat, just so you wouldn't try to simply grit your teeth and ignore it as some people do. I feel very confident that a young fella such as yourself will do just fine, so long as you take it easy and don't exacerbate the situation. Good luck with that, and keep us posted. I hope it heals itself!
beanstrung		#4	[-]
Posts: 5831 (12/16/09 09:13 PM) Forum Site Moderator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	To add to what Aubullet said, if the pain is "bad" now, it will be virtually all gone after the surgery. Kinda like popping a pimple... it hurts you all the time before you pop it, it hurts like bloody hell during the moment that you pop it, but once it's popped, it don't hurt at all. Sorry if that is a seemingly "gross" analogy...! With today's surgery techniques, you won't even experience the "hurts like hell for a moment" portion. Mountain-Doc, can you allay this young man's fears? --------------------------------------------------------------------------- What part of "shall not be infringed" don't you understand? Joel 3:9-10
cujo		#5	[-]
Posts: 342 (12/16/09 09:13 PM) active member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	That is what I think the doctor did as you said Aubullet about the three weeks just so I would be aware of the situation and thanks for your kind words makes me feel a little better about it. Right now that is what I am trying to do is relax. Luckily I have my laptop so that I can sit up in bed and type or lay down if the pressure is too much. It seems to be working except when I have to get up to move then it takes a few minutes to "wind up". The pain medicine is working but it makes me itch ( they gave me vicodin 500mg and told me to take two at a time for the amount of pain ). That stuff is nasty makes me feel like a zombie, but it does help. And thank god for modern medcine Bean I get the analogy put a smile and little laugh on my face too. Mike Last Edited By: cujo 12/16/09 09:17 PM. Edited 1 times.
trautert		#6	[-]
Posts: 5396 (12/16/09 09:54 PM) Forum Site Moderator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	My ;teaching partner Mike found out he had a hernia about ten days before his annual three week hunting trip to Montana last month. He went anyway, trying to be cautious. His wife emailed me as soon as he was out of the OR, and later that day he texted me to say he was awake and doing fine. He'll be back at work as soon as Christmas Break is over. Tom Ne Desit Virtus Rakkasans
cujo		#7	[-]
Posts: 345 (12/16/09 10:06 PM) active member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	You know come to think of it trautert I think I know how it happened to me. When I went hunting the first Monday after Thanksgiving this year my quad got stuck in the mud and slush and what I did was picked the front and rear up to get it out of the ruts. I am pretty strong and was lifting the proper way bending my knees to pick it up. Maybe tried a little too hard and just went about hunting those few days feeling fine. The pain started about four days ago so maybe I just did not notice it un the cold and snow did get a buck though. So for next year I will see if I can get a winch for my quad for problems like that again. Good to hear you teaching partner is well enough to return. Mike
shotout		#8	[-]
Posts: 339 (12/16/09 10:20 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I can understand if you have never been under the blade. I had a Kidney removed about 5 years ago and that was no fun. Of course that was not the first time I have had surgery. Just hang in there and think positive and like was said listen to your Doc.shotout
cujo		#9	[-]
Posts: 347 (12/16/09 11:07 PM) active member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Gee at least for now I am keeping everthing that I was born with. At least doctors don't sporterize people . My doctor is a family friend so we can joke about these things. He usally does that with all his patients to keep a smile on their face to over come the bad feelings people may have. Mike
high speed cruise		#10	[-]
Posts: 3337 (12/17/09 01:14 AM) Veteran member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Dude, I had a hernia repaired in 2006......I most likely had injured myself in 1996 (when I was 21) doing this really intense "Russian" workout a friend put together. I'd often wake up early in the morning with this terrific shooting pain at the top of my right leg but once I got up it went away. (The doc said that was my abdominal wall tearing). My testicles started really swelling (finally I had the literal anatomy to go along with my figurative LOL) and I headed to the emergency room. A week later I was under the knife.....later the doc said he'd never seen such a large opening! "Most hernias are finger-sized, yours was the size of an upper forearm!" I was sore as crap and pretty loopy from the dope. I somehow limped into class that week (me wearing a dress shirt and jogging pants? (you know better) mate!) But had to redo the entire lecture a week later since even my best student said: "You didn't make any sense at all and I remember that lecture from the summer course." My leg did tingle for 5 days making sleep impossible. I was so desperate from sleep deprivation I was "ready to call down to Gitmo and answer all their questions, even though they hadn't asked me!" (as I put it then) I obtained some more pain killers but that night, the tingling stopped. I never touched the meds again. So dude, don't worry, go ahead and get it done......I wish I had gotten on top of things in 1996 instead of waiting a decade. hsc I had been working out pretty hard again (what finally triggered the rupture).....I said: "here I thought I was losing weight and it was just migrating!" *The doc said it WASN'T instestinal, but fat that was down there! Last Edited By: HoosierDaddy 12/17/09 05:15 AM. Edited 1 times.
cujo		#11	[-]
Posts: 352 (12/17/09 01:58 AM) active member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Geeze high speed cruise a decade!! Right now the doctor said the antibiotics should take care of any infection in my testicles and the size of the hernia should close by itself. If not then the surgery. After 10 days I am going to see a specialist to see what the progress is for the better or the worst. I know what you mean about the pain killers making you feel loopy about an hour ago I had to take another making three 500mg vicodens this evening and just can't sleep from the occasional sharp pain and the itching from the medicine. I can bearly walk without hanging on to something and can't even get out of bed ( more like don't want to due to it releiving some of the pain ). So I will probably just watch TV and continue to write to you guys about this until I fall asleep. My legs don't tingle but are like rubber so your symtoms you had are a mirror image of mine now. Did your pain come gradually or all at once? Maybe when I go to the specialist I will tell him to opperate regardless since it does feel like the pain is getting worse but better at night. Mike
HoosierDaddy		#12	[-]
Posts: 5629 (12/17/09 05:18 AM) Forum Site Moderator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	If he thought it was an emergency you would be scheduled for the OR. Better tell him you need a stool softener as the pain meds slow down the digestive tract too. Ash Iron Construction
mkgr22		#13	[-]
Posts: 223 (12/17/09 07:02 AM) active member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Cujo- What have you got to worry about? You have all your friends here on the boards praying for your speedy recovery. Don't hesitate to call your doc if you have concerns before your specialist appointment. Your peace of mind is important to the healing process. Regards, Another Mike.
RLMbassist		#14	[-]
Posts: 264 (12/17/09 07:26 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Cujo, you will make it through this alright. I know the prospect of surgery is scary, as I just went through the whole knee surgery ordeal. Try not to worry about the surgery too much if it is necessary. Surgery is way better than having to lay around with pain & taking Vicodin for a lengthy time. I know exactly what you are going through, I had major anxiety over getting put under (even though it was my 3rd time) and getting cut, but it was over in a flash. The aftermath was the bad part for me, weeks of pain and not being able to walk. In your case, if you have to have surgery, your "bad part" will be over. After they fix it your recovery time will be tiny, probably a day or two. Hernia repairs have come a long way. My dad had hernia surgery in the early 80's and I remember him being laid up for weeks afterwards. He had it again just a few years ago, and was up and about in a day or two; and he was in his late 70's at the time. You are just a pup & pups heal quick. Hope this helps some. Hang in there!
dou 44		#15	[-]
Posts: 2447 (12/17/09 12:39 PM) Host Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	i got mine done in 03,i should have been out of work for 1 week but i ended up being out 6 weeks because the army messed up my paper work and i had to wait 6 months before they got it fixed. i had some kind of wire stuff ,forget what it is called put in me. so now i have a 4" scar showing. it will still hurt sometimes if i do much liftring. i got mine from unloading 94 lb HE rounds off the back of a 5 tn truck
high speed cruise		#16	[-]
Posts: 3339 (12/17/09 01:06 PM) Veteran member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Cujo, Other than the "morning shooting pains" (which were gone as soon as I stood up) I didn't have any pain. Those huge balls though, those were hard to rationalize away. *Honestly, I was in denial, with my bio education I knew something was up of course but didn't want to believe it. I hurt for just that one week and the sleep deprivation, but after that I was ready for action! The doc said he put two "wire meshes" into me (he showed me one) since the hole was gaping. I'm fine now. Just do it man. If you think too much on dangers, you'll end up freaking out. It's like your first clear and pull skydive (when you open your own 'chute) if you think about the dangers you'll freak out like I did and have a pseudo acid trip....just get it done man. Be ready to eat after the operation, I pigged out big time afterwards! hsc
cujo		#17	[-]
Posts: 353 (12/17/09 01:18 PM) active member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Saturday I am seeing the specialist to see if the medicine works. Pain was worse this morning taking me a half hour to get up out of bed. Thank you guys for the kind words, means a lot to myself and my parents. Hopefully this thing can close itself, but if not I will be ready for surgery. HSC those are the same pains I am having, but they don't go away. Sky diving? The only way anyone is getting me out of a plane is if they push or drag me out. I know what you mean though. Mike
Mountain Doctor		#18	[-]
Posts: 4007 (12/17/09 02:40 PM) Forum Site Moderator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Meds won't work. This is a mechanical problem with a mechanical solution. Surgery will cure it and you're good to go. Thank God it's so 'easy'. I understand the concern but Git 'er done and get on with your day. BTW, in most cases, a hernia is caused by a defect in the muscle structure a person is born with. Your age is common for a hernia, especially in the groin area. Don't forget to post pictures! I love that stuff. Be well. Bill
cujo		#19	[-]
Posts: 354 (12/17/09 03:15 PM) active member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Mountain Doctor my family has a history of hernias in the abdomen and groin areas, so I knew it was a matter of time before one happened to me. Yeah I know the doctors said the meds would work, but I was doubting that the whole time thinking how does medicine close a hole? So just have to wait until Saturday to see what the game plan is. I don't think I will be posting pictures doc . Best leave those at home . Mike
Mountain Doctor		#20	[-]
Posts: 4008 (12/17/09 04:05 PM) Forum Site Moderator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I know it's a bit scary. The is no such thing as a 'minor' surgery when it happens to you.