Joe has a possible stomach hernia

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My Dad had his inguinal hernias repaired with the mesh because they were really in bad shape and he has had no return of probs. I don't know about the stomach ones but if it can be repaired with the mesh I think it should last. He also used a general surgeon who had lots of hernia experience.( I used the same one as I also had double hernias repaired but at separate times and luckily before I was on coumadin! Mine just had to be stitched.
Gail
 
Joe's CAT scan

Joe's CAT scan

The initial results of the CAT scan as far as lungs go, showed nothing, so I guess the pain Joe is experiencing in the lung area is from scar tissue.

The abdominal wall showed some things which might indicate a hole, but we'll have to wait for the general surgeon to do his own reading on the films. Joe sees him on the 21st
 
Thanks for the update Nancy. Glad to hear nothing is going on with the lungs. I still want to see what the General Surgeon says about the possible hole. Guess I'm trying to see if these people on my end are trying to fluff me off or what. :)
 
Dear Nancy:

I am so relieved that you finally heard on Joe's tests. I am sure the surgeon will be able to discern just what the problem is regarding the hernia (or whatever it is).

Nancy, is it possible that joe is having some angina and that his lung pain is not from scar tissue? I know that overall you feel that he is doing well..........just a guess.

How is he feeling now? Any improvement at all?

Best of luck to you both next week. You are both my hero's.

Marybeth
 
It's not angina. Strangely enough Joe never has had angina, that I can remember. How he skipped that I'll never know

The pain is localized in both lung areas. The lungs are apparently quite sensitive. There must be a lot of nerves there, plus they have cut through both back muscles and side muscles and tons of scar tissue. That hurts.

Joe thinks that the hernia/weakness is contributing to the pain because his diaphragm isn't tight and close together like it should be. I guess when it spreads apart, it presses on the lung areas.

He says he doesn't care what it is, just FIX IT.
 
hi nancy!
i'm so glad to hear that the cat scan didn't show anything. must still be frustrating for joe to have discomfort andnot know where it's coming from, no?
please let us know how the appointment with the surgeon goes next week.
we'll be thinking of you.
be well,
sylvia
 
Surgeon's appt.

Surgeon's appt.

Here's what the General Surgeon had to say re: Joe's possible hernia.

He doesn't have a hernia, he has a congenital split in the rectus abdominus muscles which spread apart when he bends.

But he might also have gallbladder problems. He had a spasm last night which was very painful, palpable and visible in the right side. He's also tender there today, plus he says he's had it before. So on to have an ultrasound of the gallbladder.

If there is a problem there, the General Surgeon will close the split and take care of the gallbladder as well. But he doesn't want to rush into doing the surgery for the split only.

So down another rabbit hole.
 
I think it's time to tell Joe to stop it. lol

It's good to hear you have a Doc that doesn't want to start cutting away, right off the bat.

The Gall bladder is another story. I'm glad you have the armor of endurance for all of this as well as Joe. It has to be driving the both or nuts. I hope we here good news on that too. Keep us informed. ;)
 
hi nancy!
wow! poor joe and you. i had a friend who had her rectus abdominus stitched up. she said that the whole thing was very uncomfortable (before the surgery and recovery_ i guess any abdominal surgery can do that). then, the gallbladder problem, i hear that too can be very painful.... poor joe.
please wish him our best for a speedy recovery. we're thinking of the two of you.
God bless,
sylvia
 
This surgeon specializes in scope work, so hopefully if surgery is in the offing, it would be done that way.

I had my gallbladder removed by scope and it was a piece of cake. I went home the next day and was up and walking around like it never happened. The only aftereffect I remember was the lingering effects of whatever they used to put me out. I slept like I was dead and had strange dreams.
 
A fun date at the ER

A fun date at the ER

Joe's so romantic. How did he know that I wanted to spend Friday evening at the local ER?

This afternoon, the "thing" in his right side popped out on him several times causing spasms of pain. So off we go to the ER. Fortunately, the surgeons partner was on duty and very nicely met us in the ER. He ordered an ultrasound and some bloodwork. So there's some good news, Joe doesn't have gallstones, but does have polyps in the gallbladder and it will probably have to come out. If it had been a gallbladder attack, surgery would be happening pretty quickly, but we can wait a little while at least.

The only puzzling thing is that all the doctors have said that the gallbladder can't pop out and be visible under the skin. And not one of them knows what it is. Maybe once they get in there they can shed some light on the problem.

This is in addition to the weakness in his rectus abdominus muscles.

This man needs a total retread!
 
gallbladder polyps

gallbladder polyps

Hi Nancy,

So sorry to hear that Joe is facing yet another surgery...but good to know that it is something that can be taken care of. Hope he is not experiencing too much discomfort. You two are real troopers! You just keep going on. Good for you both.

Nan
 
hi nancy!
oh boy! i feel so badly that you and joe have to go through another surgery. when are they doing it? please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. would you please let us know how things go?
be well and God bless,
sylvia
 
Hi Nancy,

I'm sorry to hear about Joe's most recent health problem. I hope the surgeons can take care of his gall bladder and the abdominal muscle problem and anything else that needs repair in that area, without too much delay.

Joe will be almost completely rebuilt soon. Then he should be good for at least another 100,000 miles.:)

I'll continue to keep Joe and you in my prayers.

Ron K
 
Sheeesshhhhh Joe. What next???????

Nancy, you are incredible. You are my heroine.

Retread? Oh yes.

Best of wishes to you both in the coming weeks.

Marybeth
 
So with the polyps and the "thing" that pops out that no one knows what it is, can they still address it through a scope?

That would surely be a blessing if they could!

Nancy, I agree that you are a wonder woman with your incredible combination of strength and humor, even though you can't help but feel overwhelmed by all this a lot of the time. You are an inspiration to all of us who buckle under lesser problems.

Jennifer
 
Hi Jennifer-

I sure hope they can do all with the scope, gallbladder surgery is very nasty the other way. Joe should hear from the surgeon in a couple of days. They've got to have some conversations with joe's primary and probably cardio about how to proceed.

It's possible they won't even want to open him up again for a non life-threatening condition.
 
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