Like nearly half of all people over the age of 50, Bonnie Geddie, 67, has diverticulosis, a condition in which small pockets form in the normally smooth inner wall of the intestines. Most people don’t develop symptoms or complications from this condition, but some get diverticulitis – an inflammation of the small pockets that form when food particles become lodged in the stomach lining.
Geddie has treated her diverticulitis with anti-inflammatory medications and antibiotics. However, consistently taking medications is key to managing this condition.
“I was at home on a Friday when I started feeling severe pain in my gut,” she recalled. “I took my medicine and remembered that I should have started it earlier. Throughout the day, the pain continued to worsen until it became unbearable. That’s when I called my brother and said, ‘I need to go to the emergency room now!’”
Geddie’s brother quickly drove her to the ER at UT Health Henderson.
“When I checked in at the front desk,” recalled Geddie, “I told them I was in a lot of pain and that I thought it was my diverticulitis acting up. The nurse took my vitals and CT scan was ordered. When I returned to the ER, the doctor told me they were going to start an IV. I thought, ‘I must need intravenous antibiotics.’”
Geddie then said to the doctor, “Great! After I get the antibiotics, I can go home.”
“No,” said the doctor, “you’re going upstairs to a room. We are admitting you to the hospital.”
“But I promise I will do a better job of taking my medications,” she said.
“It’s not that,” said the doctor. “You are quite sick and almost in critical condition.”
The doctors were concerned that an abscessed cyst had formed in Geddie’s intestine. When food particles lodge in a small pocket in the wall of the intestine, the particles may cause an infection. The body’s immune system fights the infection by sending white blood cells to the area. These cells combine with damaged tissue and germs to create a liquid called pus. The abscess, a confined pocket of pus, can become very painful. If it should burst open, the infection could spread to other areas of the intestine.
The surgeon on call that day, Ladd Hoffman, MD, stopped by to talk to Geddie about her condition. He said they would modify the medications she took to improve her numbers. If not, they may be faced with surgery. “Dr. Hoffman even returned later that night because he was worried about me,” said Geddie.
The next morning, Dr. Hoffman told Geddie that her numbers were improving. “Your numbers are going down, and that's what we want to see. You're still not out of the woods, but you're going in the direction we need you to go,” said Dr. Hoffman.
“Praise the Lord that I was at this hospital and was so well taken care of,” said Geddie.
Improving her diet
After six days, Geddie was discharged and returned home. In the future, Geddie is determined to take her medications regularly and improve her diet and meal planning.
“The key to eating with diverticulitis is to focus on vegetables and proteins that are easier to digest, like baked chicken and eggs,” she said. “I must avoid anything with seeds and foods like corn, peanuts, and popcorn. I'd rather be healthy and do without those foods because I don’t want to go back to the hospital.”
Geddie also focuses on eating many smaller meals throughout the day so she doesn’t rush and eat something she shouldn’t.
High praise for the Henderson team
As the executive director of the Henderson Area Chamber of Commerce, it is Geddie’s job to promote area businesses. Her high praise for UT Health Henderson is based on a lifetime of experiences at the hospital.
“My parents lived here, and I am a huge proponent of this hospital,” said Geddie. “I once worked for a general and vascular surgeon at this hospital and know there is an excellence of care here. I don't know if it's because we're in a smaller community, but the staff is great. I had a great experience while I was in the hospital and I'm thankful they are here.”
For more information about the services at UT Health Henderson, visit our Medical Services page.