The Big Debate
Well, the pain persists. Apparently, I did too much on Saturday, as I slept (essentially) until noon and spent the afternoon watching football (at least some of which I was doing with my eyes closed). I was up from 7a-9a with my daughter and I could not remember if I had taken my morphine pill during that time; given my level of discomfort during the day, I would guess that I did not, but who knows. I have taken some oxy and my evening morphine and we’ll see how I do. I know that if I feel like I do right now, I will not be going into work tomorrow.
A lot of my discomfort is tactile, meaning it literally hurts to have my shirt rubbing against my lower abdomen. In addition, as I was driving home from my church Human Sexuality class, there were several times I experiences twinges of pain — sudden stabs of pain that took my breath away. They disappear as quickly as they start, though. I’m getting really tired of feeling like this all the time. I know there are other people in more pain and discomfort than I am experiencing, but perhaps I’m just not as strong as they are (or perhaps, I’m just tired and grumpy — the more likely of the two options).
So to the debate. I have a doctor’s appointment scheduled for Wednesday. On Friday, I called to let the docs know that I was still in pain and discomfort and their response was to take more pain medication as needed. I do not have a fever; the rash on my abdomen is still smaller than it had been last Wednesday. I do not believe my case is currently emergent (meaning that I do not believe I need immediate medical care). So I am not sure what good it will do to call the doctor tomorrow. If they decided that I needed to be seen, based on previous experience, they wouldn’t be able to get me into the office until Tuesday (the day before my already scheduled appointment). To me that doesn’t make much sense. My wife, father, and various and sundry friends, however, think I should call the doctor tomorrow.
I don’t know what I’ll do. Everyone who has had a Whipple (I spoke to several yesterday) have exclaimed how “amazing” I was for being up and around so quickly after my surgery. Perhaps this current pain and discomfort is my “payback” for getting over the original surgery so quickly!
Merle
another friend chiming in: call the dr. even if it’s only to remind them that you are still having pain.
r – just adding my voice to the herd
I’ll second your other friends and family. Call to find out whether what you’re experiencing really is an emergent situation. If it is, getting to the office even one day sooner could make a difference. It’s more likely to help you than hurt you to at least make the call.
Amy
P.S. I wish I could have been in Atlanta over the weekend to join the walk.
Merle,
take more meds, get to the point where you don’t feel the pain