When Your Gut Hits the "Emergency Brake"
11 DAYS IN "HOSPITAL HELL" AND THE LESSONS TO HELP ANYONE THROUGH SUCH A THING. On 3/12/2026, I walked into the ER with abdomen pain. By 3/13, a perforated appendix was out. But that was the easy part. My digestive tract hit a dead-stop - Ileus. The plumbing backed up. Acid reflux became a fire. Then came the NG (nose-to-gut) tube. Four attempts. Four times feeling like I was being stabbed in the sinuses and choked simultaneously due to a deviated septum from years of martial arts. 🥊👃 I was ready to say "F this," but the surgeon finally cleared the path. THE LESSONS 1️⃣ SPEED IS SOVEREIGNTY: If it’s appendicitis that requires surgery, advocate for surgery ASAP. Minutes matter. 2️⃣ NEVER GO ALONE: Even the best hospitals miss things. You need an advocate to ensure you aren't neglected or "forgotten" in the system. 🛡️ 3️⃣ THE NARCOTIC TRAP: Narcotics are the ultimate "Emergency Brake" for your gut. Get off them the second you can to get your motility back on track. I’m finally home. The road back to 100% starts now. To Katie, Stacie, Kerri, Papa, Sue, Zacharia, MTGers, and everyone else THANK YOU for being the team that got me home. #appendicitis, #ileus, #hospitalrecovery, #patientsafety, #medicaladvocacy, #guthealth, #motility, #emergencyroom, #surgeryrecovery, #healthfreedom, #independence, #narcoticfree, #bodysignals, #medicaltrauma, #healingjourney, #brainbodyconnection