One of my friends had emergency surgery in the middle of the night last night for a ruptured appendix. He is in great pain and some danger from infection and pneumonia.
I went by to see him after devouring a goodly portion of turkey and all the trimmings and side dishes. I almost took him a plate but I'm glad I didn't... He's doing pretty well. He hasn't been allowed to eat for three days. They aren't even giving him IV nourishment for some reason. They won't let him eat until he proves he can move his bowels; being on pain meds is a complicating factor because they tend to constipate you. I offered to bring in a bowel sample for him to run by the doctors but he declined... He has developed peritinitis (SP?-- swelling of the stomach lining?) and is on IV meds and fluids. He still is at great risk for infection spreading and for developing pneumonia. This man is the father of four and is self-employed, so he is the money machine who is out of work and doesn't have great insurance either. Keep him in your thoughts and prayers. I think I'll go back by on Saturday...
Oh man when I had my appendix removed (along with 8 other inches of da colon) I couldn't eat for 5 days. All I was allowed to do was put ice in my mouth to moisten. The appendix was swollen but didn't rupture (swollen due to the inflamed and blocked intestines). Anyway, it took me about a week to pass, but I did get IV nourishment. I got pneumonia within 2 days which was kind of awkward. It hurt like $h!t trying to cough. Definitely one of the worst pains in my life. But hey, I hope the guy has a morphine pump, cuz man, WOW!!! I loved that thing! I lost about 12 pounds in the ordeal, but it was a great diet, even though I needed the weight. Well good luck to the guy, and I hope for a quick and full recovery.
