Sometimes appendicitis is a good thing - the proverbial blessing in disguise. [View all]

[3catwoman3]

In March of 2023, I developed appendicitis. Initial vague abdominal discomfort that initially felt like hunger pangs. Over several hours, the discomfort became more intense, and gradually began to localize to the classic RLQ (right lower quadrant) of my abdomen. Having pretty much diagnosed myself, I had my husband take me to the ER, where exam and tests confirmed my suspicion.

Because I was (and still am) taking Elixir, a blood thinner, because of atrial fibrillation, surgery had to be delayed for about 36 hours to let the Eliquis clear so I wouldn't bleed out on the table. During that wait, the appendix became gangrenous, despite being on 2 heavy duty antibiotics, so recovery was slow, and complicated by needing an NG (nasogastric tube) tube because my GI activity came to a complete halt. Finally home after 5 days, but with the AFib wildly out of control. Anaesthesia #1

Re-admitted a week later because of the AFib, and spent another week in the hospital. 2 attempts at external cardioversion under anaesthesia were unsuccessful. Home on more cardiac meds than I knew could be taken all at the same time. Anaesthesia #2

April 2023 - successful cardiac ablation to "zap" the over-active areas an the upper heart chamber. Anaesthesia #3

June 2023 - During the initial ER evaluation, the CAT scan showed an "incidental" finding of cysts on the distal (tail-end) portion of my pancreas. Those were biopsied, at which time there were no suspicious findings. Anaesthesia #4

Dec 2023 - follow up CAT scan showed one of the cysts changing from fluid-filled to solid looking, which is not what you want.

March 2023 - robotically-assisted, spleen-sparing distal pancreatectomy. My surgeon, at the University of Illinois/Chicago, is currently considered to be the world's leading robotic surgeon, so I was in very good hands. Diagnosis - pNET - pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor. There were some malignant cells, but completely contained with no spread, and I was told emphatically by 2 different oncologists that there was absolutely no need for chemo, which was a huge relief. Anaesthesia #5 Starting to worry if I'm pushing my luck by having to be put under so many times. Uncomplicated recovery, and home after 5 days.

This kind of pancreatic tumor is completely different from adenocarcinoma, the kind of pancreatic cancer that is usually not diagnosed until really late and is the kind that took the lives of Alex Trebek and Patrick Swayze, and so many others. pNETs can progress but do not become adenocarcinoma.

Dec 2024 - routine follow up CAT scan showed a "plump" lymph node in my right lung, so, once more under anaesthesia for a biopsy. Numerous lymph nodes sampled, and all were clear. Anaesthesia #6 - enough already!

Anyway, the point of this long "organ recital" is that I am very grateful to my appendix for getting infected, because it made possible the incidental finding of the pancreatic cysts and ultimately the diagnosis of the pNET at the earliest possible stage when the management is just periodic surveillance. Hoping it stays that way.

I feel very lucky.