Good thoughts needed

It’s worked before for Dopers. I’ve been under the weather for a couple of months (losing weight, off my feed) and really sick (nausea and vomiting) for the last week. Symptoms point to a bowel obstruction (tender mass in abdomen), and I’m off to the doctor. If I had insurance, I’d have gone sooner, but there are 47 million like me, so no whining. :slight_smile:

Fingers crossed that I’m just bloated. If not, fingers crossed for an easy fix, like an enema or something.

God, I hate being sick. I’m never sick!

I’m thinking good thoughts for ya - it’ll be fine!! I send you hugs, too.

Be sure to ask about payment plans, discounts, referrals for financial assistance, whatever you can get. I know the hospital I work for automatically takes half off the charges for people without any insurance, and then can work to help you find other assistance or at least put you on a reasonable payment plan.

And best of luck. I hope it’s something easy, not dangerous, and cheap! I’ll be thinking of you.

Sending healing thoughts your way - and a wish that it is something simple! :slight_smile:

Yikes, how scary!

At least I’m confident you’ve got something good to read for all the waiting around …

Good vibes headed your way.

Good luck!

Joe

Thanks, everybody.

The diagnosis: I’m full of shit. No obstruction, just a load of poop that isn’t moving. The x-rays were amazing. I had no idea poop could be in all those places.

So it’s fluids and a mild laxative and it should clear out. I’ve never been constipated in my life. Doc said taking the Pepto for my upset tummy didn’t help.

Ferret Herder, you were right. I paid cash and got a 30% discount. Only $130 for the office visit, blood work, and x-rays.

AP, I’m so glad to hear it’s nothing too serious and nothing requiring surgery or expensive treatment.

FWIW, when I was 9 I nearly died from a bout of ileus. My body stopped moving solid waste completely, and nobody figured out what was wrong with me until I was full from the back end all the way up into my stomach, where freshly consumed food just sat and started to rot. The total procedure for my cure: 18 days in the hospital, a stomach pump for 9 days, 3 a day enemas for 9 days, massive amounts of antibiotics and fluids and enough x-rays, upper and lower GI exams to to light me up like xmas in New York.

Like I said, I’m glad your condition is likely easily fixed.

Hurray for simple diagnoses! Have some prunes. Too bad watermelon isn’t in season – my kids clean themselves out every summer by ODing on watermelon.

Good news! :slight_smile:

Prunes! I have prunes!

FallenAngel, that sounds absolutely horrible.

(This stuff can’t start moving out fast enough.)

SEE? Those Colon Cleanse people were right!!!

:smiley:

Have your friends been saying, “I could have told you that for free”? :smiley:

Whew, glad to hear the good news.

i’m glad it was an easy fix. here’s a pound of grapes and dried apricots. get comfy, and start eating! it will be a long day on the throne.

My husband sure did. Haven’t heard him laugh like that in ages. :slight_smile:

I remember how good it felt after I cleaned out for a colonoscopy, and I’m looking forward to that feeling again. Good thing I actually like prunes and dried apricots.

Glad to hear it was nothing serious. :slight_smile:

Before you start those prunes make sure you buy some quality TP.

StG

Me too! I’ll still send you the good thoughts, though.