Went to the doctor -> Splenectomy..

Hi everybody!

I went to the doctor today. My counts dropped from 154 to 80.. Wich isn't a bad count but my doctor think they'll drop further till there's nothing left.. Just as the last couple of times..

We both decided there is no point in trying another round of treatment. He doesn't think it will help. Another doctor came and we discussed it with him as well.. He wasn't optimistic either.. So we decided to make an appointment with a surgeon to discuss a splenectomy. I'm fine with it.. I think it is the best thing for me to do. I know it's soon but I just can't go threw other treatments anymore.. I'm tired.. And I just don't have the time to be sick with my study and everything..

My doctor took my personal life into consideration and discussed it with other colleage's and we all decided this was the best option..

For now my counts ar good, but I have to go to the hospital every week to see how they are doing.. The doctor already send me to the surgeon for a intake but he thought it would take a while before they'd have time.. But I was lucky and have an appointment next week on thursday.. I also have to do a CBC on wednesday.

I'm actually happy with this. I know there's a chance the splenectomy won't help but I'm positive.. If it doesn't work I have to accept I'll probably have to deal with counts going up and down for the rest off my life..

Xx
Joya

Good luck to you!

Thanks Katie!

I just have this one very stupig question! What happens to the epmty space where the spleen used to be.. I mean they take someting out but don't put something back in.. So what happens to that empty space.. It sounds a bit weird

Xx

Good Luck to you. If it was me, i wouldn't be making that decision just yet, it is a very big decision to make, but we are all different and i wish you all the best with whatever you chose to do. I'm not sure what happens, i haven't had anything removed, not even my appendix, so i dunno. It doesn't sound like a stupid question, maybe ask the doctor when you speak to them next.

I've been thinking the same question about the empty space. It probably takes the body awhile to shift everything a bit to adjust. I'm having my surgery at the end of April after 6yrs of playing around with treatments. I gave up things like volleyball, rollerblading, motorbiking abd baseball. To be young like you and give these things up would be sad. If you've made your decision be okay with it. So many people can live well without a spleen.

That is one of the reasons I made the decission.. Not having the surgery will mean I'll have to quit my current study.. Since we sport 4|5 times a week.. And usualy team sport.. That's to big of a sacrifice for me.. So that's part of the reason I'm having the surgery so soon.. I have my first appointment on thuesday with the surgeont.. Maybe he'll confince me to wait but I don't think he will.. My hematologist agrees that for me surgery is the best option..

A man on a dutch forum told me your intestines take over the empty space..

Xx

That is a good question, about the empty space. I had my spleen removed 2.5 weeks ago and my stomach is still a little oddly shaped. I guess everything hasn't adjusted yet?

Hey Katie,

How are you feeling?
Didn't they tell you what would happen to the empty space? Or am I the only crazy person who comes up with these questions

Xx

No, you are not crazy! I thought it, but didn't ask it I am doing really well. I am only mildly sore. My platelet count went over a million, so now I am taking meds to destroy my platelets. Ironic, huh? I have to say taking a pill a few times a day is much better than steroids or IV treatments!

Have any of you ever seen a surgery on TV? Most of the internal body parts are pretty close together, and must be moved to get to other organs. I'd imagine other organs would just move into the space right away.

Good luck, Joya. You are doing what you feel is best for you.

On the empty space/settling organs issue: One reason I want to try to avoid ever needing a hysterectomy is that I've noticed the friends who need a bladder surgery have had a hysterectomy in the past. Could it be that everything just starts settling into the wrong direction? That all those things, like rubber balls in an upside down bag, are holding each other in place until one ball is removed, and they all start slipping out of place? Mind you, my weird wonderings have no medical education whatsoever to back them up.
Norma

Hello Norma,

I wouldn't know.. I have my appointment tomorrow so I wrote it down on my question list I'll let you know tomorrow..

I'm kind off nervous for tomorrow.. Don't know if it's for the appointment or for the exam I have tomorrow morning which I didn't learn for since I didn't have time.. :blush:

Keep you posted..!!

Xx
Joya