Looks like another surgery for Elnut...

[elnutsmalljaws]

Well Gals and Guys, it looks like another trip to the Operating Table for me is upcoming. I have had this pain on my right side for a couple of months now and the surgeon could not figure out why. I have had several CT scans but none showed anything until the one last Wednesday. It looks like I have monster Gall Stones and my Gallbladder needs to be removed (as well as monster Kidney stones but they will have to be delt with seperately). To the normal person a Gallbladder surgery is not that severe (anytime you go under anesthesia is not a good deal but only surgically speaking not that severe), but not in my case. Back in 2008, I had a MAJOR surgery called Organization of Compartments where my surgeon pretty much re-aligned my internal gastric organs, small intestines, large intestines and other to help me stop busting hernias. Since then he has cut me 6 additional times and each time he is working my intestines to the top to make them more accessible and has moved my Gallbladder to the bottom of my intestines. He has not seen my Gallbladder in 2 years and told me today that a Gallbladder surgery for me will be about 10 times worse than a hernia surgery. He is 99% sure it is Gallstones and 99% sure I need surgery but I am going to go on a no fat diet the next couple of days and since fatty foods causes Gallstones to hurt worse, if my pain goes away, then "We have to Chat" as he says. Pretty much par for the course for me and my family.

I feel sorry for my wife and son that has to see me every day go thru what I go thru and only wish they could get relief from my sickness. We will survive because we always have. I have not had any pain medicine in 9 days now and am mentally clearer now better than I have been since early last year. If only I could get my physical side to catch up with my mental side but that is wishful thinking. Based on all the antibiotics, pain meds and other drugs I have had to take and the dosage and longevity of them, he has already told me that I was a better candidate to get Cancer before I turn 50 (8 years from now) than a man that has smoked for 30 years. Says that most likely I will continue to have health issues over and over for basically the rest of my life. Again, I wish I could spare my wife and son from this but that is the hand that was delt us and we will deal with it one second, one minute, one hour, one day, one week, one month and one year at a time.

[Big Gills]

Hard to believe they are doing another surgery on you, Elnut You are incrediably strong cuz your body has really taken a beating and keeps on going. I am amazed that they are able to do all that moving around of organs inside you. You must feel like you were hit by a truck after each surgery. Your whole torso must ache terribly. Good to hear that you are off the pain killers as they are really addictive. A clear head is important now. I wouldnt worry about your family as they are strong like you. Your wife is extremely lucky to have found a great guy like you cuz let me tell you great guys are very hard to find. Trust me on that. Your little guy is so young and most likely doesnt understand all that is going on except that Daddy is sick. I sure am praying that things do get better for you. You so deserve a break and some good news. Take care Elnut and I am thinking of you during this tough time. Margie

[MrSplitshot]

Hate to hear it elnut...

I had mine removed a couple of years ago and they did it laproscopically (I'm sure I spelled that wrong. That's a dang tough one to spell. lol) with three little incisions where they stuck their lights and tools and whatchamajigs...and they brought that sucker out through my belly button. Are they able to do that on yours, or because of your complications do they actually have to open you up?

Hang in there man...

[bassin_bug]

I am sorry that you have to undergo surgery again. It seems so redundant to say I will keep praying for you after I've said it so many times, but I WILL.

[DJD]

Man start charging those surgeries on a Visa! Think of all the sky miles and reward points you can accumulate! You could fly to exotic fishing destinations for a few years!
Naturally I'm just throwing a little humor in there...I wish you the best on this man.

[elnutsmalljaws]

Hate to hear it elnut...

I had mine removed a couple of years ago and they did it laproscopically (I'm sure I spelled that wrong. That's a dang tough one to spell. lol) with three little incisions where they stuck their lights and tools and whatchamajigs...and they brought that sucker out through my belly button. Are they able to do that on yours, or because of your complications do they actually have to open you up?

Hang in there man...

No Laproscopic surgery for me. He said another 12 inch incision straight down the middle right on top of the 14 inch incision that just healed up from the February 18 surgery. Had the same cut in the same place that ranged from 4 inches to 14 inches - 16 times (including all 9 times he as had to operate on me). He has to open me up to move around my small intestines to find the Gallbladder first then remove it and this can't be done with a scope, human eyes only. Pretty dis-heartening but THAT IS LIFE!!!

[bassin_bug]

No Laproscopic surgery for me. He said another 12 inch incision straight down the middle right on top of the 14 inch incision that just healed up from the February 18 surgery. Had the same cut in the same place that ranged from 4 inches to 14 inches - 16 times (including all 9 times he as had to operate on me). He has to open me up to move around my small intestines to find the Gallbladder first then remove it and this can't be done with a scope, human eyes only. Pretty dis-heartening but THAT IS LIFE!!!

I think the doctor should implant a heavy duty zipper and give you some relief from the scalpel....just kidding. I hope this gallbladder surgery will be your last so you can completely recover and make up for some lost fishing time. You have to do double-duty this year and do the fishing for both you and me----I'm down for the rest of the year.

I'm having surgery Tuesday so the doctor can try and put my left shoulder back together. It's so bad he will be doing 3 surgeries in one for the rotator cuff that is torn in two on the top, put my collarbone back in place, repair a tendon that's torn loose from the bone inside the shoulder joint, and repair another tendon that is torn completely in two and collecting fluid pockets. The doctor said it's going to be extremely painful and my recovery period will be from 5-6 months. When he said I would need painkillers that would turn out my lights for up to 6 hours, I knew this is more than a 'boo-boo.' I have never taken that kind of medication and it scares the crap out of me just thinking about it.

[elnutsmalljaws]

I think the doctor should implant a heavy duty zipper and give you some relief from the scalpel....just kidding. I hope this gallbladder surgery will be your last so you can completely recover and make up for some lost fishing time. You have to do double-duty this year and do the fishing for both you and me----I'm down for the rest of the year.

I'm having surgery Tuesday so the doctor can try and put my left shoulder back together. It's so bad he will be doing 3 surgeries in one for the rotator cuff that is torn in two on the top, put my collarbone back in place, repair a tendon that's torn loose from the bone inside the shoulder joint, and repair another tendon that is torn completely in two and collecting fluid pockets. The doctor said it's going to be extremely painful and my recovery period will be from 5-6 months. When he said I would need painkillers that would turn out my lights for up to 6 hours, I knew this is more than a 'boo-boo.' I have never taken that kind of medication and it scares the crap out of me just thinking about it.

Trust me when I say this, TAKE AS LITTLE PAIN MEDICINE AS POSSIBLE. Pain Meds are mind altering and mood changing more than pain control if you ask me. Been on the junk pretty consistently for 4 years and it stinks. Recovering from surgeries is more Mental than Physical but if you find yourself taking more pain meds than prescribed, STOP and ask for some help. It is a viscious cycle. Hope your surgery goes well and you will be back to normal in no time. Elnut

[Bonefish]

Elwood, I can't believe this. More bedside fishing stories looks like.

[stratosjoe]

Elnut I wish you and your family the best hang in there buddy it will get better

[RoadToad]

I'm really pulling for you, Elnut. The strength that you are showing through all this is inspirational.

[Big Gills]

I think the doctor should implant a heavy duty zipper and give you some relief from the scalpel....just kidding. I hope this gallbladder surgery will be your last so you can completely recover and make up for some lost fishing time. You have to do double-duty this year and do the fishing for both you and me----I'm down for the rest of the year.

I'm having surgery Tuesday so the doctor can try and put my left shoulder back together. It's so bad he will be doing 3 surgeries in one for the rotator cuff that is torn in two on the top, put my collarbone back in place, repair a tendon that's torn loose from the bone inside the shoulder joint, and repair another tendon that is torn completely in two and collecting fluid pockets. The doctor said it's going to be extremely painful and my recovery period will be from 5-6 months. When he said I would need painkillers that would turn out my lights for up to 6 hours, I knew this is more than a 'boo-boo.' I have never taken that kind of medication and it scares the crap out of me just thinking about it.

Gee willies, Bugs, that sounds like serious surgery you have going on there. They are doing alot of work on your shoulder. Were you in a serious car accident to cause that damage? My positive thoughts and prayers will be with you and your surgeon on Tuesday and hope it all goes as planned. Sounds like alot of physiotherapy for you when you are able. I use to take Tylenol 3's for my back but I didnt find they helped at all. I am not on anything now and just endure the pain when I have it. On and off sort of thing with me. I tried those Oxycodine once when I had some teeth pulled and what horrible things they were. I was stoned and could not walk or get dressed and I still had that throbbing pain in my head. So I threw them out and never used them again. Morphine is the only thing that really get rid of pain and doctors wont hand that out. Good luck to you Bugs.