When I heard the news they had to cut away part of my pancreas and all of my spleen, it was a scary thing. I was told "you may become diabetic, the tumor may be cancer, and you are at extreme risk for infection after we take out your spleen." This can't be real, I thought...someone wake me up!
It started about three months earlier. I began having pains just under my ribs, right around the center. It kept
coming and going, and one night, around one a.m... it started again...and it persisted for a pretty long time. My husband took me to an emergency room, and the hospital sent me home saying it was gas.
As the morning wore on, I remember waking up to the pain. I didn't want to make the mistake of running to the er again if it was gas, but my husband insisted on taking me into the doctor. He worked 2nd shift as a piano teacher, but around 1 pm, he said "that's enough of this. Something is wrong!" My doctor had been off of work, but her assistant was in. She had ordered an xray and found nothing that would cause the pain. She walked into the room and said they were going to do an abdominal ultrasound. It was this test that they found the mass. They took out a tumor about the size of a golf ball. It was connected to the splenetic artery, and it was encapsuled. I had the surgery at a different hospital, and had the greatest surgeon in the world. He and my husband saved my life. It wasn't cancer, but it could have been much worse for me if I had let it go on and on.
If I have anything to tell you all, it's be in tune with your body. If something doesn't feel right don't ignore it. Be your own advocate. Insist on other tests, but love yourself enough to not look the other way.
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It is now a little over 2 years later. I am diabetic with 33% of my pancreas, but so happy to be alive! My spleen is gone, so I have to fight off infections harder than most people. God has given me hope to live, and I am so happy for all that I have. I appreciate my life. I am greatful to have my husband who helped save me.
July 7, 2011 - 7:05amPlease take care of yourselves!
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Dear Angcnfly: Thank you so much for sharing your story. How timely for you to get to the right doctor and hospital. It never stops amazing me how many wrong diagnosis are given to patients not just at the ER but during doctor's visits. Your husband's gut instinct told him that something was not right, that in itself is wonderful, most guys are oblivious of women's health concerns. Good for you for going to another hospital too! I hope you send a letter to the head administrator at the other hospital where you were misdiagnosed. They need your feedback. Next time a patient presents with similar symptoms they will be more cautious and order additional tests. The pancreas is a very important organ. You were very lucky this time and had your angel watching over you.
April 6, 2009 - 9:52pmThis Comment