That Darn Spleen is in the Way!
By Jeff Moffitt
@moffittjc (118425)
Gainesville, Florida
September 21, 2016 9:43am CST
After breaking four ribs several weeks ago, my doctor informed me that it would take about 4-6 weeks to heal. And because it was the four lower ribs on my left side--what they call the "floating ribs"--I could expect to be in constant pain most of the time while they healed (because those ribs are not secured to the sternum, so they move around quite a bit). The pain is always there, but has become manageable.
Except over this past weekend, the pain seemed to be getting worse. Concerned, I went to the doctor Monday afternoon, and he suspected I may have a lacerated spleen as a result of the rib injury. So, he sent me for a CT scan on Tuesday, as well as ordered me to stay out of work the rest of the week.
Fortunately, the results of the CT scan showed that I did not have any lacerations or internal bleeding on my spleen, but it was extremely swollen, most likely as a result of the rib injury. And because of the size of the swelling, the spleen, ribs and muscles around my left abdomen were all pushing against each other, which is what has been causing the extra pain.
The doctor has given me some anti-inflammatories and some steroids, as well as heavier pain meds, to help get me through this week and hopefully help the swelling in my spleen to go down.
Have any of you ever had a spleen injury?
24 people like this
23 responses
@responsiveme (22926)
• India
21 Sep 16
Get well soon...hope you heal fast. Did you read the guess who mylotter post about you?
4 people like this
@moffittjc (118425)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 Sep 16
Yes! I saw the post that I was included in! It was an honor to be included in her post!
4 people like this
@VivaLaDani13 (60311)
• Perth, Australia
22 Sep 16
@moffittjc aw dude! I was cringing the whole time reading this. I'm sorry you're in pain and going through this! I do hope you rest and I mean it! If i see you stand or doing any extreme activities I will flick your nose so hard!
But really, I hope you feel better soon!
I've never had a spleen injury before no. And by the sounds of it, I really hope I never do. 
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118425)
• Gainesville, Florida
22 Sep 16
You would really flick my nose?
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118425)
• Gainesville, Florida
22 Sep 16
@VivaLaDani13 So I get a hug if you hurt me? AWESOME!
1 person likes this
@VivaLaDani13 (60311)
• Perth, Australia
22 Sep 16
@moffittjc Well....not hard! In fact you may not even feel it lol I am all talk when it comes to threats because even if I accidentally hurt OR THINK I have hurt someone I become overly apologetic and hug them lol
1 person likes this
@CinnamonGrl (7083)
• Santa Fe, New Mexico
21 Sep 16
No I haven't, thank goodness. I'm so sorry about your pain. That I do have, but not as extreme as your ribs & spleen issue. I hope you start healing more quickly. Ouch. I'm glad you got better meds.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118425)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 Sep 16
I'm just happy to find out that I didn't have any internal bleeding. Had there been a laceration in my spleen, they would have had to remove it. I kind of like my spleen, and really want to keep it!
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118425)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 Sep 16
Although the broken ribs are somewhat painful, I can say that i have had worse injuries in my life. The worst part about the broken ribs is trying to sleep in one position at night without rolling over onto the side with the broken ribs.
2 people like this
@Daljinder (23231)
• Bangalore, India
22 Sep 16
@JaboUK I still remember your fall from the horse. It was horrifying too.
2 people like this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
21 Sep 16
I wish nothing but freedom from pain for you. I've never broken a bone or had anything other than childbirth and knee surgery (Over and done with in a short time). Minor compared what you managed to do to yourself. Get well soon
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118425)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 Sep 16
I'm pretty sure that childbirth is not minor compared to breaking a few ribs! lol I have a lot of respect for the strength and determination of women to have to endure the pain of squeezing something so large out of a hole that is so small. God bless you and all women for being able to endure that pain!
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
23 Sep 16
@moffittjc Thanks for the laugh, but if the truth be known we had no choice...
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99399)
• Canada
21 Sep 16
Never have but that sounds extremely painful. I can't even imagine. I am glad that everything checked out and that there was no internal blessing. So can I ask how you managed to break four ribs?
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118425)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 Sep 16
I was swinging from a rope swing out into the river, and the rope snapped, sending me plummeting about 25-30 feet to the ground and landing on a tree stump.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118425)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 Sep 16
@Happy2BeMe If by "taking it easy" you mean laying around on the couch all day eating junk food and watching soap operas on TV, well I've got that covered!
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99399)
• Canada
21 Sep 16
@moffittjc omg it could have been so much worse. Even though you have four broken ribs it cold have been worse. So scary. Hope you hell quickly. Take it easy and take care of yourself.
1 person likes this
@silvermist (19702)
• India
21 Sep 16
@moffittjc No I have never had spleen injury.You have to be careful.Take the medicines and take absolute rest.Get well soon.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118425)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 Sep 16
I'm getting well as fast as my bones will let me! lol
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (457918)
• Switzerland
22 Sep 16
@moffittjc I would have never imagined that they were so painful. I had to apply a special patch during the night because I could not even sleep.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118425)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 Sep 16
@LadyDuck The doctor offered me the patches to wear, but I declined. He gave me some pills to take instead, that help in a similar way as the patches.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118425)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 Sep 16
Yes, the pain from my shingles a month ago was way worse than the pain from my broken ribs. The shingles were driving me absolutely crazy!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118425)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 Sep 16
@pgntwo Well, I always said that I wanted to be a statue when I grow up, so maybe this is a good way to practice!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118425)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 Sep 16
Thanks! It is somewhat annoying, because the pain is constant, and depending on my movements, can get worse.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118425)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 Sep 16
If it was, He gave it back! And Eve must have not taken very good care of that rib, because it was very weak and fragile when I got it back!
@moffittjc (118425)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 Sep 16
@sol_cee The poor woman always gets blamed for everything! lol
And now we're putting all this blame on Wendy! lol
1 person likes this
@sol_cee (38223)
• Philippines
23 Sep 16
@moffittjc Woman at fault. It all boils down to Wendy. lol
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29242)
• Eugene, Oregon
21 Sep 16
Wow, that sounds awful, Jeff! I am glad that the spleen shows no damage and hope that the pain meds help you rest. No kayaking this week.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118425)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 Sep 16
It will be a while before I do any kayaking again! But my son keeps nagging be to go backpacking and hiking. He doesn't quite understand the nature of a rib injury! lol
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118425)
• Gainesville, Florida
22 Sep 16
@JamesHxstatic That kid is Mr. Adventure, so I'm surprised he hasn't sustained any major injuries yet to this point! Maybe he's a very lucky kid!
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29242)
• Eugene, Oregon
22 Sep 16
@moffittjc Let's hope he never experiences one.
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
22 Sep 16
I can relate @moffittjc. My husband broke 3 of my ribs (same place) when he deliberately karate kicked me. Even breathing was difficult and yes it does take awhile to heal. Fortunately my spleen was okay. I don't know if a stretchable ace bandage would help or not.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118425)
• Gainesville, Florida
22 Sep 16
They gave me a big wrap-around bandage when I first went to the emergency room, but I stopped wearing it because it hurt so much when I had it on. My doctor told me the other day that it's really not necessary to wear it if I don't want to.
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
22 Sep 16
@moffittjc I think a lot of doctors are in agreement with that now.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118425)
• Gainesville, Florida
2 Oct 16
Thank you! I have been following doctor's orders and taking it easy. I don't want to drag this injury on any longer than I have to!
1 person likes this
@Daljinder (23231)
• Bangalore, India
22 Sep 16
Oh no! It sounds extremely painful and uncomfortable. You mister are ordered to lay still on your bed. 
Get better soon and take medicines on time. Hopefully inflammation will go down soon.
You mister are ordered to lay still on your bed. Get better soon and take medicines on time. Hopefully inflammation will go down soon.1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118425)
• Gainesville, Florida
22 Sep 16
I couldn't lay still on my bed if I tried! Even if I was strapped down to the bed and my arms and legs immobilized, I would still find a way to squirm out of it! lol
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118425)
• Gainesville, Florida
22 Sep 16
@Daljinder I am indeed a wiggle worm!
1 person likes this
@Daljinder (23231)
• Bangalore, India
22 Sep 16
@moffittjc LOL! Are you a wiggle worm? 
1 person likes this
@suziecat7 (3350)
• Asheville, North Carolina
22 Sep 16
Dang - sounds terrible. Get some rest and feel better soon!
1 person likes this
@simone10 (54189)
• Louisville, Kentucky
22 Sep 16
Oh, you poor thing! I can't even begin to imagine the pain you have been in. Do you think it may have something to do with doing too much? I hope all this new medication helps you and the swelling goes down with your spleen. Hopefully, it does and you won't need surgery down the road.
@1creekgirl (40497)
• United States
21 Sep 16
Oh man, I had been hoping you're much better by now. Try to rest and take your meds, I'll keep praying!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118425)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 Sep 16
I'm getting there, just very slowly!
1 person likes this
@JESSY3236 (18925)
• United States
21 Sep 16
No. I actually I have been very lucky with no real injuries yet in my life. Hope you heal up quickly.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118425)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 Sep 16
Thanks! I plan to heal as quickly as my bones will allow!
1 person likes this
@Dena91 (15861)
• United States
21 Sep 16
Never have had any spleen injuries. Worse thing I went through were torn ligaments in my ankle. Trying to keep up with my older brother on a skateboard. Doing jumps and tricks, x games before they became so popular. Prayers the medicines help you heal from your injuries. Have a blessed day
1 person likes this
