Splenectomy 2014

After 2.5 years of dealing with Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia, unsuccessfully going the meds route with varying degrees of Prednisone, decision was made to go for spleen removal.  Scheduled surgery for a lapiscopic(sp) procedure, went on the table under thei blade on the 24th.  Best laid plans------- went out the window when the item to be discarded proved to be twice normal size, somewhat scarred and weak in tissue structure.  Back to basic full blown abdominal surgery with increased blood loss(which I can ill afford to lose) and prolonged recovery time, now in the seventh day. Three days in ICU and four in general surgical.
Can not say enough good things about the folks here at Midcoast Hospital in Brunswick, Maine.  With only one exception(more on this later), everyone here LISTENS !!  Most refreshing compared to other health care facilities in the area, including my local hospital.
The only issue was when I requested a NG tube to relieve bowel distension.  Prior experiences dictate that my system does not react well to prolonged anesthesia and my plumbing is exceptionally slow to recover its normal function.  Everyone was quite reluctant to administer this approach, but after 24 hours of pleading and finally threat of verbal execution, my surgeon finally listened and performed said requested  procedure.  Relief was immediate.  I WON !!
Looking forward to release from my present bonds and returning home for a normal recuperation.
My lab numbers are improving daily and hopefully I will be among the 60 % who benefit significantly from this procedure in the long run.