As the Stomach Turns
Sorry for the delay in this update, but you can pretty much bank on the fact that when I’m not writing I’m either too busy or too sick. This was a combination of both.
Last Thursday, I finally had the fluid that had accumulated in my abdomen removed. It was quite an ordeal, much more involved than I had been led to believe. Arrived at the hospital at 10:45 a.m. and wasn’t released until 4 p.m. There were doctors, nurses, anesthesiologists, ultrasound techs, etc., involved, and I hate to see what the final bill will have to say.
The procedure left a large bruise and some soreness in some unexpected places, like my leg. But it did ultimately provide some of that much-needed relief I was after.
Once they got going, they were able to drain somewhere between 1.5 to 2 liters of liquid in about ten minutes. The stuff was green, like green beer on St. Patrick’s Day. (I know what some of you are thinking!)
Anyway, afterward I felt much better. Not good mind you, but a lot better than miserable.
I still haven’t been able to eat much, or drink either for that matter. This, of course, is a concern. I’m worried the liquid is coming back again and that I’ll soon be back to where I was.
I’ll meet with a doctor in two days, and they’ll tell me what was in the liquid and where it likely came from. Hopefully there will be a plan to provide additional relief. I miss going out to eat with my friends.
But let’s be thankful for small victories. As a result of the procedure, I was able to head to Austin this weekend with my son Ford. He had done the music for a film (Simmons on Vinyl) that was premiering at the Austin film Festival. He even had a part in the movie. We attended a sold-out screening and watched a q & a session afterwards with writer/director Mark Potts and cowriter Cole Selix. And the next day, Ford played a gig at Progress Coffee in downtown Austin.
Fun times, getting the chance to see my son’s music in a real movie, real theater, before a real audience. Hope to have more of them.
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Comments
I think it’s great that you can put the suffering on the back burner and go enjoy your son’s accomplishments.
Poor baby,
I hope you are improving and will soon be back to your computer. We miss the updates……..good or bad. Keep us posted. Everyone is trying to keep the landslide at bay for you. I hope you are finding some comfort and rest. we want to hear all of your experience. We are listening. We are learning.
Sounds like the green fluid is bile. I can’t remember if its produced by the gallbladder or the liver. Bile helps to digest food.
Like everyone else, I worry about you and will keep praying for you and your family. As awful as you feel, you probably don’t realize you’re demonstrating such strength and courage.
Bless you, Jim.
Jim,
I’m so sorry that you still can’t eat or drink in comfort. Hopefully they will soon have the answer.
The proud “Papa”, I’m so happy that you were able to share this evening with your son. He does have a nice voice by the way.
thank you,
Teddie Seeley