A couple of Mondays ago, we went to bed as usual. I started experiencing stomach cramps, similar to what you might feel after eating a dodgy curry. Throughout the night, I was sick and had frequent bowel movements, but nothing major—it felt as though my body was trying to reject something I had eaten. I had experienced something like this in the past, so I didn’t think much of it. However, I couldn’t get comfortable and ended up staying awake for most of the night, just generally uncomfortable.
The next day, I called the GP, who gave me a same-day appointment because the pain was still there. After examining me, the GP mentioned that my intestines were slightly inflamed and suspected it was a stomach bug, likely to clear up within 24-48 hours with some rest.
However, on Wednesday, around 10am the pain suddenly intensified. It became excruciating, radiating from the middle of my abdomen to the lower right side. At that moment, I knew something was seriously wrong, but the pain was so severe that I couldn’t move. It felt like my intestines were in turmoil. I begged my partner to call an ambulance. Unfortunately, 999 refused to send one and advised consulting with 111. After an hour of triage with 111, they flagged my symptoms as urgent and stated that I absolutely needed an ambulance, though the wait would be 2-3 hours. They suggested we drive to the hospital if possible but advised to call 999 if I passed out on the way (thanks). Somehow, despite the unbearable pain, I managed to get into the car, though every bump made the pain worse.
At the hospital, I had to wait 1.5 hours in A&E triage. The pain was so intense at times that I nearly passed out, drenched in sweat. Finally, I was seen by a doctor who ordered IV fluids, antibiotics, a blood test, and an ECG. She also gave me morphine, which provided some relief. About an hour later, she came rushing back, informing me that they suspected my appendix had burst and that there was no time to wait for the CT scan results—I needed an emergency Laparoscopic Appendectomy immediately. By that point, I had already suspected the worst.
I was prepped for surgery and taken to the operating room. The procedure took 2.5 hours instead of the initially estimated hour. Afterward, the surgeon informed me that my appendix was gangrenous and had perforated, leaking pus throughout my abdomen. They had to inflate my bowel to clean everything out. Thankfully, the surgery was a success, and I spent two nights on the ward before being discharged with antibiotics last Friday.
Today, the nurse checked my wounds, which are healing nicely. It’s been quite an ordeal—the pain, the drama, being wheeled past others on trolleys in the corridor, and seeing the urgency on the doctors’ faces. It was a terrifying experience. I’m just thankful that I got the op when I did.
The whole system seems set up to fob you off - I guess the theory is, by the time someone sees you, you're either better or dead 
