spleenectomy

[Guest guest]

Hello group, I am . I was previously in the group and dropped

out for a while. I am writien because I have to have an operation.

My GI doc says I have gastric varacies. I have clots in the the vein

between the stomach and liver. I was bleeding inside and had blood in

my stool. He says that the blood was backing up into my stomach and

was causing the blood in the stool. He wants to remove my spleen and

I am aprehensive about it. Will someone please respond and let me know

what I am up against. Can I function without my spleen??? Will this

lead to a disability. I am concerned about finances as well and have

next to nothing in sick time and paid time off. Please let me know.

Thanks

Bache

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I can tell you off-hand that not having a spleen is not that much of a disaster.

Many

people have his / her spleen removed as a result of car accidents or other

trauma or to

treat certain kinds of blood disorders or in conjunction with pancreas

surgeries. I would

suspect that the surgery is considered a major abdominal procedure, so you will

probably

have a week or so of in-patient care. And a 8 week or more recovery period

during which

you will be off work (?).

The long term affects are simply that you have lost some ability to fight

certain infections.

I think that if the splenectomy is scheduled as " elective " , doctors advise that

you get

vaccinations to some of the illnesses that the spleen is the most effective for

combating.

In addition, you will lose the storage organ for certain blood components so you

might

have altered values when the doctor does a CBC (I am not sure how noticeable

this will be

though).

If you would like, I can find out more information on the type of surgery that

you may have

done, as well as what exactly gastric varices are. I can look this up for you

and email it to

you. Do I have your email address? If I don't and you would like me to look up

this stuff

for you, email me at goutbuster @ yahoo . com.

I am sure that there are several people on this board who had her spleen removed

as a

result of pancreas surgery. I bet they will be able to answer your questions

lots better than

I can.

laurie

[Guest guest]

Can I function without my spleen??? Will this

> lead to a disability. I am concerned about finances as well and have

> next to nothing in sick time and paid time off.

Without the spleen you are more likely to get infections.

At your work do you have short term/long term disability?

[Guest guest]

,

you can live just find without your spleen. A friend of mine had hers

removed about 10 years ago and is still doing just fine. I'm not sure if

you need to take medicine to make up for it, I do know you can live just

fine without it.

Kimber

--

Kimber

Vallejo, CA

hominid2@...

Note: All advice given is personal opinion, not equal to that of a licensed

physician or health care professional.

[Guest guest]

HI Kimber Thanks for writing back. I am originally from Santa and have

friends in Vallejo. My doc said today that very same thing. I need to take

vitamins and make sure I keeep my strength up. I am more prone to infections.

I can always wear a mask while working around patients if I need to. I just

have to watch it a little more closely. He was explaining what the ultrasound

revealed and why he wants it removed. Well hope to hear from you again.

thanks for the reply

Richland Washington

Kimber wrote:

,

you can live just find without your spleen. A friend of mine had hers

removed about 10 years ago and is still doing just fine. I'm not sure if

you need to take medicine to make up for it, I do know you can live just

fine without it.

Kimber

--

Kimber

Vallejo, CA

hominid2@...

Note: All advice given is personal opinion, not equal to that of a licensed

physician or health care professional.

[Guest guest]

,

nice to know some one who's knows the area I'm in. I'm glad that your

doctor has told you what you need to know about having your spleen

removed. I hope all goes well with the operation. Let us know when it's

to happen and where people can send cards to.

Kimber

--

Kimber

Vallejo, CA

hominid2@...

Note: All advice given is personal opinion, not equal to that of a licensed

physician or health care professional.

[Guest guest]

, if it helps any, my Aunt was very ill, (at deaths door

last rites, everything) and had her's removed. She rebounded to such

great health after that. Walked everywhere and lived for years

without a problem.

Best of luck,

Eileen

> ,

> you can live just find without your spleen. A friend of mine had

hers

> removed about 10 years ago and is still doing just fine. I'm not

sure if

> you need to take medicine to make up for it, I do know you can

live just

> fine without it.

> Kimber

>

> --

> Kimber

> Vallejo, CA

> hominid2@c...

> Note: All advice given is personal opinion, not equal to that of a

licensed physician or health care professional.

>

>

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[Guest guest]

Hi Eileen

Thanks for the input. the doc said this would correct the problem. The funny

thing is that I have had virtually no pain for sevral months now. But got

scared when I discovered blood in the stool. I am sure I will be ok.

Robet

whitefalconsgoddesswear wrote:

, if it helps any, my Aunt was very ill, (at deaths door

last rites, everything) and had her's removed. She rebounded to such

great health after that. Walked everywhere and lived for years

without a problem.

Best of luck,

Eileen

> ,

> you can live just find without your spleen. A friend of mine had

hers

> removed about 10 years ago and is still doing just fine. I'm not

sure if

> you need to take medicine to make up for it, I do know you can

live just

> fine without it.

> Kimber

>

> --

> Kimber

> Vallejo, CA

> hominid2@c...

> Note: All advice given is personal opinion, not equal to that of a

licensed physician or health care professional.

>

>

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>

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