Post Op Activity

I am a 38 year old gal, in normally good shape and health, whose appendix ruptured on 31 Jan 09.  There were some problems, like an infection that was missed and an additional hospital stay--but such is India.  I have felt pretty wonderful for the last week and decided to try playing cricket (something I have never done before) it is like baseball.  But after two days of throwing and swinging and running, I have a lump at the incision site (in my intestine area) the size of a golf ball.  It feels like someone hit me with the cricket bat!  No other signs or symptoms, and bowels are functioning normal and no fever--do I have to go back and get this looked at or can I call it normal and forget about it?  Your advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Bridget A. Hewitt, RN]

Hi and thanks for using the forum.  I am sorry to hear you had such a rough time with you appendix.  It sounds like you have done well despite the rupture and infection!  What you have described in your post could possibly be an incisional hernia.  This occurs when the abdominal wall seperates where your incision is and what is underneath (usually bowel) protrudes through that opening.  Hernias often don't have any symptoms besides their presence, however there are complications that can occur with them.  This is something that you need to have evaluated by your doctor- hernias are not normal and should not be ignored.  Good luck and hope this was helpful.

Bridget