Apparently, I made a post on a site about not having a spleen. I think it was a long long time ago. Anyway, someone sent me email about it:
[flop's real name],
I read your donations on the website about spleens. I have just had mine removed and am still at home recovering. Are you still doing well without yours? Do you take daily antibiotics? Would you mind sharing your "avoidance" list and "to do" regarding staying healthy without a spleen? Mine was removed because of two cysts on the spleen, one beginning to thicken and grow into the stomach wall and during surgery infection was found in there. The doctors have not been able to determine any cause or a relationship to any disease....all tests remain negative. So, for now, I just want to learn how to structure my life so that I live it well and infection free.
Some info indicates a spleenless person is walking a thin line to bad health....others indicate it is not much of a problem at all........maybe it is all individual?
[Person's Name] in [the state where the person lives].
Here was my response:
Hi [Person's Name],
Don't worry about it at all. My spleenlessness has never caused me any problems at all (aside from the fact that the incision was sore for several months after the surgery). I'm quite healthy and active and I don't take any medications (besides the occasional asprin or bourbon). I actually work part time as a scuba diver in very cold and filthy harbor water and yet I'm not sick any more often than anyone else I know. The only times I've heard of people having any immunity problems is when they've had their spleen out before adolescence. Keanu Reeves has no spleen and it doesn't stop him from making millions on his questionable acting skills. Carlos Checa (a spanish motorcycle racer) is also sans spleen but he continues to happily crash extremely expensive race bikes.
Obviously, I can't comment on the cause of your cysts or the associated infection but, based on what I know about being without a spleen, I don't think you'll have any problems based on not having a spleen. Good luck with your recovery and don't give your dearly departed spleen another thought. I'm sure our spleens are up in spleen heavan having cocktails with Keanu Reeve's and Carlos Checa's spleens right now.
-[flop's real name]
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I think this shows that the doctors tend to say things like, "we've taken your spleen out. go home now. thanks for playing." They don't really explain a god damn thing. It's strange to wake up and have someone tell you they've removed one of your organs. It seems like that should cause a problem... but as far as I can tell it's all fine. If doctors would explain this sort of thing better, maybe people would be so confused that they have to ask me about it... not that I mind or anything.
[flop's real name],
I read your donations on the website about spleens. I have just had mine removed and am still at home recovering. Are you still doing well without yours? Do you take daily antibiotics? Would you mind sharing your "avoidance" list and "to do" regarding staying healthy without a spleen? Mine was removed because of two cysts on the spleen, one beginning to thicken and grow into the stomach wall and during surgery infection was found in there. The doctors have not been able to determine any cause or a relationship to any disease....all tests remain negative. So, for now, I just want to learn how to structure my life so that I live it well and infection free.
Some info indicates a spleenless person is walking a thin line to bad health....others indicate it is not much of a problem at all........maybe it is all individual?
[Person's Name] in [the state where the person lives].
Here was my response:
Hi [Person's Name],
Don't worry about it at all. My spleenlessness has never caused me any problems at all (aside from the fact that the incision was sore for several months after the surgery). I'm quite healthy and active and I don't take any medications (besides the occasional asprin or bourbon). I actually work part time as a scuba diver in very cold and filthy harbor water and yet I'm not sick any more often than anyone else I know. The only times I've heard of people having any immunity problems is when they've had their spleen out before adolescence. Keanu Reeves has no spleen and it doesn't stop him from making millions on his questionable acting skills. Carlos Checa (a spanish motorcycle racer) is also sans spleen but he continues to happily crash extremely expensive race bikes.
Obviously, I can't comment on the cause of your cysts or the associated infection but, based on what I know about being without a spleen, I don't think you'll have any problems based on not having a spleen. Good luck with your recovery and don't give your dearly departed spleen another thought. I'm sure our spleens are up in spleen heavan having cocktails with Keanu Reeve's and Carlos Checa's spleens right now.
-[flop's real name]
-----
I think this shows that the doctors tend to say things like, "we've taken your spleen out. go home now. thanks for playing." They don't really explain a god damn thing. It's strange to wake up and have someone tell you they've removed one of your organs. It seems like that should cause a problem... but as far as I can tell it's all fine. If doctors would explain this sort of thing better, maybe people would be so confused that they have to ask me about it... not that I mind or anything.
It's an area that needs improvement.