Well the 30th anniversary of Shrewhaven is underway. A couple of guys are in camp already and the first deer hit the ground last night. Early reports are that deer herd has fared well the last two winters and there’s a bumper acorn crop, so I’m anticipating a good looking deer hanging picture.
However, for me, well fate had different plans for me. After spending a few weeks in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (only a few hours from camp) vacationing with my wife and visiting out two daughters who go to school (one at Michigan Tech and one at Northern Michigan University), I began to feel punky two days before heading home. Trip to the ER showed I had a perforated appendix and they would operate next morning. Dr. comes in to room next morning and says although leaking he feels still pretty straight forward and could possibly be released by late afternoon. We’ll late afternoon comes and I finally get to surgery. 3 days later after what seemed like minor complications I get released and my wife drives me 5 hours home. Next day I’m already spiking a fever and calls back to surgeons office get response’just had major surgery and low grade temperature is normal’.
Next day I go in to local ER in late afternoon(which is overwhelmed with patients). The next morning at 6 am I finally get a CT scan ordered (but still not in a room because there isn’t one). So I have an ileus (blockage in intestines)/infection. Finally get in ER room and have worst 3 minute experience of my life You do NOT ever want an NG tube inserted (up through your nose and down into your stomach while you drink water to make sure it goes down correct pipe). I’ve not thrown up in 41 years-until that- and it was like someone poked a bloated deer on side of road. So, five days of draining gunk out the tube through my nose (I had gained 20 pounds of fluid after surgery and looked like I was pregnant with triplets), being fed through a tube in my arm that went to my heart (picc line) so that they could shut my digestive system down completely then slowly restart. Released from hospital and feeling better but get home and spiking low grade fever and night sweats (sometimes changing soaked bedding two times in a night). Finally last weekend fever is gone for three day and night sweats haven’t happened for two nights. Meeting with surgeon for follow up appointment on Monday afternoon. Exam goes well, I have no fever, no night sweats, I walked 4-5 miles each day for last two days, voracious appetite and good bowel movements. Dr seems encouraged but he says he wants CT scan for confirmation that everything is clear. I say OK, IF everything is all clear, can I go to deer camp that weekend??? I strategically asked in front of my wife because she was Leary of me going off right after all I’d been through and being 5 hours away. Do CT scan that evening and I’m already one foot out the door to camp (still finishing last round of oral antibiotics but otherwise feeling good). Wife is even on board saying let’s get you packed for camp. Shrewhaven here I come!!! Dr. Kam two hours later-you’ve got an abscess in lower right abdomen where your appendix was and we need to have a catheter drain inserted into your side to drain this-sorry but no camp for you. Ouch-talk about a sucker punch!! We wait and plan and banter all year about camp, and I’ve been medically snake bit for a month. Well I’m going to live vicariously through the phone calls and pictures texts from camp over this next week. Dr says this should be last of my saga so hopefully by next weekend I can get out in the woods locally for the first time (surgery was September 27) and catch the beginning of the major rut in our area. Hopefully Ron and the guys will get the annual Shrewhaven thread going before too long.
NG tube 😬😬
No more tube, of course I am smiling!!
How many doctors does it take to consult-2.5!!
Hopefully the final step
Topic: Shrewhaven or bust-bust for me (Read 2174 times)
