My Hy-Vee race...err, appendectomy report

Triathlon Forum
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So, right about now I ought to be rolling back into T2 at the HyVee Tri, getting ready to finish up a race I have been looking forward to for quite some time.

Instead, I am at home, recovering from a Friday afternoon emergency appendectomy. My belly is swollen and still rather sore around the three incisions in my abdomen, but otherwise I am doing ok. I’m disappointed, obviously, but I feel fortunate that I got to the ER before the appendix ruptured – if I had waited, I could have been stuck in the hospital for a week or more.

Surgery was laproscopic so I should heal up rather quickly. My doctor says I can probably return to light biking and jogging in a few days. I’m not supposed to soak my incisions (e.g., take a bath or swim) until I meet with him again next week. Nothing strenuous for seven days or so.

One of my friends picked up my goodie bag, so at least I got some of the loot my entry fee went towards. It’s quite the pile, I must say. Some pretty nice items, including a Dri-Fit hat, a bike jersey, a nice backpack, a car chamois, a water bottle, lots of bars and coupons, etc.

I’m supposed to volunteer this afternoon at the finish line for the pro races; I’m feeling a bit better today, so I may still try to do that and be part of the fun. I’ll update this thread later on if I have time.

I’m looking forward to reading race reports from this event to see how things went. If anyone has any tips for a quick and healthy recovery, I’m all ears.

Hope everyone has a good Sunday,

mm

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At least it did`nt happen during the race. Mine burst 6 miles into a half-marathon.

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Get well soon!

I had laproscopic surgery and found that swimming came back first, light jogging second and cycling last. Trying to ride the tri bike and any bending over (not even to the full aero position) really bothered me. It was probably a good 4-6 weeks before I could ride much.

clm

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and I bitch about a tooth ache !

it is just extra weight , so you will be better off without it ;=)

Dirt

PS I didn’t get a new truck,or bike from the kids today :frowning:
I guess next year? ha ha

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“it is just extra weight , so you will be better off without it ;=)”

Thats the spirit!! I’m going now to get mine removed as well! :wink:

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Halfspeed,

Ouch! Now THAT sounds painful. I’m definitely glad I went in when I did. I raced last weekend and felt a little off, but the pain really started last Sunday night and slowly built up during the week. By Thursday night, triathlon was the last thing on my mind. I can’t even imagine how bad it would feel to have it burst.

And yes, I am glad to have shed some extra unnecessary “components” that were just holding me back. :wink: Maybe I will take this topic over to the weight weenies board…

To all: thanks for all the tips and advice.

mm

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Imagine a hot soldering iron jabbed into your gut. Ambulance ride and morphene made it fun, though. 4 days in hospital, 1 day at home and then back on bike. No running or swimming for another week.

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Hey, Lance dropped weight he couldn’t before due to cancer, and won 7 tour de france. Maybe that weight you shed from the appendix will make you a Kona contender.

Didn’t Lisa Bentley have appendix issues in Hawaii a couple years ago, and raced the whole way until 2/3rds the wa through the run when they finally got her to drop out ('05 I think).

If it’s caught before it bursts is typically a quick recovery, when it ruptures then it’s a long and drawn out process. This week until you go back and get the all clear, keep everything easy and zone 1, no hard efforts, let your body recover from the surgery and just help increase the circulation through easy running/cycling to help you heal faster.

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And yes, I am glad to have shed some extra unnecessary “components” that were just holding me back. :wink: Maybe I will take this topic over to the weight weenies board…

you can only go so far losing body parts before their is a loss of power ,so keep this in mind !!!

dirt

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Dammit, my Dr. convinced me to get an appendix transplant. I didn’t know they could just take it out. I had to wait 2 agonizing weeks on the transplant list for a donor. :wink:

I started walking instead of running after about 2 days. Then day 4 I was pretty well back to normal, except that I spent a few extra days in the hospital due to a “nicked” bladder and had a catheter and leg bag for a week. That just plain sucked in sooo many ways.

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Well, this isn’t about doing Tri’s, but its a real experience in my life. I was hospitilazied with an appendecdtomcy back in the earily 1960s and a hospital employee came in and told me that JFK had been shot and killed. He was very happy about this. I was a little kid and could not undersand why any one would be happy about the president of the United States being assinanatted. I’m still confused about this, but I am alive and doing several Tri’s a year. Tim

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Mine ruptured and i was in the hopital for over a week back in middle school.

The race was actually pretty darn good… well besides the 45 mins to get to parking from 235. Which left me with 3 mins in transition and a run warm up that was in my flipflops running to transition.

All9yards was at the top of grand playing tour de france. Which was awesome.

There is a whole of timing issues because a lot of people didnt do two laps on the run. so it will take awhile till times go up.

Grant

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Trauma,

Thanks for the tips and words of encouragement. Yes, I hope that I will emerge from this incident transformed, much like Mr. Lance Armstrong. Heck, some people tell me I even look like him, so maybe it’s my destiny. LOL.

To all: went to the race on Sunday, worked the finish area for both races. Very cool experience, and I definitely had the best view in town. ITU is very exciting! Expect a full report later today.

mm

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Please correct me if im wrong but I think Lisa Bently had the same problem years ago. The day before the ironman she was in pain and the next day it was worst, just started the race, finished the swim and the bike and quit during the run. the next she flew back in Canada to discover that she almost finish a race while having a appendice problem. She had the surgery the very next day. Talking about racing with pain! I hope that you will be better soon and take care of yourself!

Stef