It wasn’t a lottery I signed up for, but I won! What’s the prize? A 6″ scar and an extended lease on life.
I am one of the minority who had appendicitis. But that wasn’t good enough, so I had to be one of the super-elite with a “Retrocecal Appendix”. The term “retrocecal” implies that the appendix is located behind the cecum and the tip of the appendix is pointing toward the liver. That’s doctor speak for “Your appendix is in a weird place, Alan”.
1 in 15 Americans will get appendicitis and the symptoms are usually pretty easy to spot. A commonly used system for diagnosing appendicitis is to use the “Alvarado Score” (see image right). The more points you get, the more likely it is that you have appendicitis.
In my case the symptoms just weren’t right. I had a loss of appetite (Anorexia) and Rebound tenderness for a whopping 2 points on the Alvarado Score. My doctor said, “I don’t think you have appendicitis but I’m not sure what else it can be so I’m sending you to the hospital for a CAT scan.” I feel like I won the lottery because that statement saved my life.
The CAT scan confirmed that I had appendicitis and that I didn’t have all the normal symptoms because my appendix was in a strange place. One major surgery and three nights in the hospital meant that I got to ride home in a minivan rather than to a funeral home in a hearse. 200 years ago appendicitis was a death sentence. Today, thanks to the blessings of modern medicine and technology, it’s just an inconvenience. All-in-all I’d say I made out pretty well. Thank You, God, for allowing me to win this lottery!!
That is exactly where Charles’ appendix was located! His surgeon told him that if he had waited another 24-48 hours to see him, he would have been on his way to the funeral home. I’m so glad that you both had doctors that didn’t quit but continued to persevere and figure out what was going on! God is good!