What I’ve Learned From Having My Spleen Removed
Three years ago, on Oct. 15, I had my spleen removed. It was stressful, scary and strange to lose an organ (and of course painful). It took me a few months to regain normal energy levels, and another three to six months before I was able to exercise without aches in my side. But now? I often forget I don’t have a spleen, largely because I’ve had so few problems without it. I also had a baby recently, which has consumed my life in a wonderful way (and why I’ve been quiet on this blog so long).
Before my splenectomy, I had so many concerns about life without a spleen. What would this do to my long-term health? Would it impact my ability to have children? Would I be able to maintain the active lifestyle I loved? Would I spend every winter suffering from terrible colds and the flu?
Based on the stories and comments people have shared on this site, I know these questions are common. So I wanted to celebrate my third “Splen-iversary” (as my husband and I jokingly call it) with a few things I’ve learned since my splenectomy.
You Can’t Avoid Doctors If You Get Sick
Before I developed a splenic cyst and had my spleen removed, I was very healthy and rarely needed to see a doctor. (In fact, I actively avoided it, even when I shouldn’t have.) But that has changed since having my splenectomy. Living without a spleen doesn’t really impact your day-to-day health (if you don’t have other conditions), but it does reduce your body’s ability to fight bacterial infections. So in some situations (like a dog bite or strep throat), you can get much sicker, much faster than someone with a spleen.
For example, two years ago I developed a high fever and painful cough on vacation, and I called my doctor to ask her what to do. She strongly recommended I go to an Urgent Care center. I wondered if she was overreacting, as I’d only been sick for a day or so. But she reminded me of my “immunocompromised” status, and convinced me to go. And it’s good I did, because I was promptly diagnosed with influenza and bronchitis and given a stack of prescriptions to fill.
You Can Be Just As Active
I completed a half marathon last weekend, and I felt great. In fact, no activity I’ve done — long-distance running, cycling, swimming, backpacking, kayaking or cross-country and downhill skiing — has been negatively impacted by my lack of a spleen. Of course, I had to gradually build up my fitness and strength immediately after surgery, but once I regained full health, I’ve been able to participate in all my favorite sports without any problems.
You Can Travel Remotely, But You Need to Pack Antibiotics
I spent three weeks in rural areas of South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia a few months after my splenectomy. My family thought I was crazy, but my doctor told me it was fine as long as I was prepared. She gave me a list of prescription antibiotics to pack and instructions on when to take what if I developed a fever or infection and couldn’t see a doctor right away. (She also likes me to keep antibiotics at home for the same reason.) Since then, I’ve traveled to a variety of far-flung places.
You Can Have A Healthy Pregnancy, But You’ll Get Extra TLC
Guess what else can weaken your immune system? Pregnancy. So all those concerns about getting sick (see above), just increased once I learned I was pregnant last year. I confess, I worried … a lot.
I saw an OB/GYN and a maternal fetal specialist (high-risk pregnancy doc) regularly throughout my pregnancy, and I had lab work (advanced urine tests) at every appointment to screen for infection.
At my first appointment with my high-risk specialist, she reviewed all the emergency antibiotics I kept at home and updated the list with pregnancy-friendly prescriptions. She gave me the usual instructions about calling her as soon as I got sick. She also issued some travel restrictions — no camping, cabins or places far from civilization. Mainly, she wanted me avoid diseases spread by rodents (like this) and to be within two hours or less of a major metropolitan hospital with experienced specialists in case of an emergency.
Thankfully, I didn’t get sick once during my pregnancy. My spleenless status earned me more monitoring and some extra antibiotics when I developed a fever during labor. But overall, I was healthy, and so was my baby girl.
