Recently I had something strange happen. I awoke one morning and felt something different on my body. There was no pain but just an awareness when I touched a spot on my stomach, right below my breast bone. It was a little lump that was protruding from a gnarly incision that was the remnant from a botched gallbladder surgery from years ago.
I wrote about the surgery in 2009. They operated in August of 76, twice in the same spot. I spent 21 days in the hospital and it was Thanksgiving before I became water tight again. As a result, I have a really ugly scar.
So evidently this was a weak spot that my new growth could pop through. I visited Dr. Google and realized the symptoms suggested I probably had a hernia which I'm sure all my violent sneezing from the head cold made worse. Of course it was the holidays so I haven't been to see a real Dr. yet. Next week--maybe.
Anyway, I am thinking it is a hiatal hernia and I am not really worried but it would explain something. A while back for some reason I suddenly could no longer eat my favorite candy--Peppermint Patties. I was using the small ones as a treat to make me clean my plate. It worked and I quit losing weight. But then for some reason they suddenly started giving me indigestion. Hum bug.
When I checked Dr. Google, he said two things the hiatal hernia doesn't like is chocolate and mint. Ah ha. Of course I will probably check with a real Dr.
The little bump has gone back in now and there is no sensation around the incision. Since it now seems innocent, I thought perhaps if it comes back I should decide to either name it--something cute, or treat it.
Have any of you had a hiatal hernia or know someone who has? I know surgery is an option but at my age I am looking for less drastic measures.
It sure sounds like you've identified the beast, Patti. I've heard many anecdotes about unintended surgery effects years later. Sure hope you check with a doctor soon though. Like you, my senior stomach can be crabby about digestion -- particularly close to bedtime!
ReplyDeleteFlorence,
DeleteThanks, it does seem to check all the boxes. Since it went back in by itself and is behaving, I will hold off on the Dr until it gets fussy again. So sorry you have digestion problems too.
It's sometimes hard to pinpoint, but at some point our bodies stop being friendly. I have not had a hiatal hernia, but Don had that surgery in the '80's.
ReplyDeleteOlga,
DeleteYes, they do get cranky more often now. Hopefully Don hasn't had any problems since.
Patti, from what little I know that does sound like a hernia, I very much hope if you learn more you'll let us know... but I have to tell you, I clicked on that link to your 2009 post and read it with great interest (and then went farther back and read Part 1 too). Did you really smoke 2 1/2 packs a day? Was that at the beginning, or throughout? May I ask how many years you smoked? I started the summer after I graduated high school (why, why) in 1979 and didn't stop until Jul 4, 2008. With every pack I'd take out 3-4 cigarettes so I could say I smoked less than a pack a day. I knew it was a dirty, scary habit (never smoked in my car or my apartment) but I never thought I'd be able to quit either. I don't sit around missing them, but to be very honest there are occasional mornings when I get up wishing I could step outside and have one with my coffee...oh well, glad I'm free of them and I'm sure you are too! Sorry for my long ramble and I do hope you learn more about that bump of yours :^(
ReplyDeleteDoug,
DeleteThanks for reading the older posts. I started when I was 16 and quit when I was 35. I didn't get to 2.5 packs till the end. That was a tough thing to quit wasn't it? I don't miss them at all but do occasionally have a nightmare that I started back up again. Hate those.
Hope that bump stays back wherever it went. I appreciate it volunteering to.
Patti I was just thinking about you my friend.... I hope we get an update on how you're doing soon. Are you able to eat your peppermint patties yet?
DeleteDoug,
DeleteThank you so much for checking back in. My appointment with my PC is for next Thurs so maybe will find out something then. Outside of the not being able to eat the Peppermint Patties--rats--I really don't feel badly and the bump has stayed back in. Thanks again for checking Doug. You are a good friend.
I had an umbilical hernia for years that got progressively worse, causing much pain. Xrays showed a 3 inch hole. I had surgery and now no more pain. Surgery was worth it. Good luck to you.
ReplyDeletegigi,
DeleteOoh, a three inch hole was quite large and glad you got it fixed especially since it was painful. Delighted all is good now.
No,knock wood, I have not had a hernia. That I know of.
ReplyDeleteAnni,
DeleteMay that knock on wood work and you never have to deal with one.
Sounds like you have the answer. I am not familiar with hernias. Good luck!!!!
ReplyDeleteSuzanne,
DeleteThank you and I really hope it is a non issue. Stay free of them.
No to a hiatal hernia but I've had all kinds of strange bumps and bulges appear from time to time. I just rub Neosporin on them daily until they disappear.
ReplyDeleteAnnie,
DeleteI read where gentle massage can often make them go back in. Whatever you are doing seems to work.
I've never had a hiatal hernia. Your description does sound like that is what you have. If it comes again I hope you'll go to the doctor to have it checked out. Bodies are very tricky things. They do demand attention sometimes. Take care there. (NewRobin13)
ReplyDeleteRobin,
DeleteHope you never do. It does seem to fit the symptoms of one. I will keep an eye on it and know the danger signs. Right now I can't even tell I had one cept I still can't eat Peppermint Patties --darn.
First off, do see a doctor even if it has disappeared. I think Dr. Google is fine for checking symptoms but it may not be correct. I would worry it could rupture and I think that would cause lots of pain.
ReplyDeleteMy mom had hernia surgery back when I was a child, and the best I can recall she never had an issue with it afterward. The reason I remember the event is because my aunt came and stayed with us and she gave us pudding for dessert every night! We only had dessert on Sunday when mom was home. :)
Take care!
Eileen,
DeleteSo glad it was successful for your Mom but if she had the surgery when you were a child, she was relatively young. I am just a bit uncomfortable at the thought of surgery at 83 but we will see.
It sounds like you've diagnosed it perfectly, Dr. Patti. I trust actual doctors--but only up to a point, especially now. We know our own bodies (and health histories) best and can tell when something is wonky. As long as you're feeling good, that's a plus!
ReplyDeleteMargaret,
DeleteThank you, I am hoping it stays good.
Only my grandmother I know had it. She did have the surgery when she was 80 I believe. She felt much better because heaven forbid her bourbon was bothering her with this hernia and now she was able to have her Friday evening drink :-) I'd go for the peppermint patties. I had one last night. My husband hides them and when I ask for 1 mini, he gives me one mini because I could eat more than 1 and justify it. You know 4 mini's is only eating one candy bar. :-).
ReplyDeletePeg,
DeleteOoh, ooh, if I get the surgery I can eat Peppermint patties again. Now that is an incentive. I love those and have hated giving them up. They are sooo good.
A hernia is fortunately not one of the things on my long list of stuff that is wrong with me.
ReplyDeleteGo see a doctor!
Linda,
DeleteHope it stays off you list and that your list get much shorter.
Please go see a doc; take your own photo if it pops out again; they can probably just use ultrasound to check it. One neighbor and official patient had one. She didn't do the nightly abdomen wrap so it got bigger to over 10" wide on the horizontal across her lower tummy. Her intestines would protrude out, and finally wouldn't go back in. Our skin is thinner as we age, and can't "hold" innards in place as well. She exited this world with an infection and refusing surgery. Now that I've given you a nasty dose of a real case, please go see your doc. Probably not best to sew that closed yourself. Might just be scar tissue from the previous surgeries. Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteLinda,
DeleteOk, now you have my attention and I trust your medical expertise. Luckily I am seeing my PC today for an INR so I will bring it up to him and see what he says. Thanks for the shock treatment.
I'm adding my voice to the others suggesting you see a real doctor about this, even a hint of rupture is not what you want this close to Christmas, or at anytime really. I've never had a hernia, but I've recently discovered that all my dry coughing isn't my asthma, it's being caused by reflux and an antacid after each meal settles it nicely, so I'm not sucking on my inhaler several times a day anymore.
ReplyDeleteRiver,
DeleteThanks to you and Linda, you have me going to mention it to my PC today when I go in for a regular test. I hope I have as simple a resolve as you and so glad that yours turned out so well.
Hope you got some info from your PC and all is well by now. I knew someone who developed a hernia after a huge sneeze. It was a large protrusion and quite painful. She had immediate surgery. I think she was in late 70's. Bummer about the Peppermint Pattie! I remember your blog post about allowing yourself just one. I'm still doing the same with Ghiradelli but not every night.
ReplyDeleteBarb,
DeleteStill in the dark here. My appt this week was for routine blood work, the Dr turns out was on vacation. I do have an appt next week so should find out something. Outside of the digestive problems--I am feeling fine and the bump has gone back in.
Oh no.... Not the Peppermint Patties. Ouch! I sure hope that's not a no-no. It really is spooky when strange things happen to your body. I've had surgeries and things have gotten botched on me too which I have to live with. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you.
ReplyDeleteDear Patti, I so hope that you'll be able to get an appointment with the doctor in the very near future. I know next to nothing about hernias, but I do know that for myself I deal with everything much better when I KNOW what I"m dealing with. The past six months, I've had to deal with several health issues and always I felt relief when the doctor was able to label the complaint and give me medicine or advice on what to do. I so hope all is well and that you won't need an invasive operation. Peace from Dee Ready
ReplyDeleteGood gosh. I have herd of it but no first hand knowledge. If it went back in, maybe it is something you can live with. Fingers crossed.
ReplyDelete