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Ileocoecal resection next week

Hi all, I have been reading everyone's surgery posts for the last couple of months and I have been a member since June. I am scheduled for an ileocecal resection Dec. 11. I have tried to prepare myself as much as possible. I am still having anxiety when I think about it as it draws nearer. I am just finishing entocort and have been off of pred for about a month. My stomach issues, pain, pressure, tenderness are coming back and its a little scary. The discomfort is nothing like it was before I was diagnosed in June. The pain then was so bad it sent me to the ER before being properly diagnosed. Sorry I am so long winded, pardon the pun LOL. My issue is that I feel down and as if no one understands. My family has been very supportive but I don't tell them a lot about how I'm feeling and sometimes I don't think they realize how scary some of this is. I have so many worries: What will this surgery be like? Will they be able to do laporoscopic? (surgeon said he would try). Will it be worse than they think? (I have a stricture). I've never had a resection. I have had a thyroidectomy, gallbladder removed, hysterectomy but somehow this just seems like it's a whole new ball game. I think my problem is that I have been knowing I was having surgery for two months and the build up is probably worse than the actual event. I am ready to get it over with. I have gotten a lot of useful info from everyone on here and I just want to say thanks. I haven't posted a whole lot because all this is still fairly new to me. If anyone has any words of wisdom or encouragement or advice please post here. Thanks.
 
Vonnie, not worrying is easier said than done, so I am not going to say it!! I had a half a day's notice for my resection ( was in hospital for tests ). I was kind of relieved as I'd been struggling with an intestinal fistula for two years and I thought I was pretty cool with the whole thing, but when I got down to the waiting area I collapsed into a blubbering ball of jelly! Like you , I have had surgery years ago but they gave me a premed then which must have totally knocked me out.
All those questions which are going round in your head are what went round in mine and problably everyone else who's had surgery. I don't have a lot of advice except stick with us here and holler any time you're getting the heebie jeebies..................... and don't forget the waxing etc a la Terriernut's thread xxxxxx
 
Hi Vonnie. I just read your post and its my story too! I'm feeling all the same things. My surgery is Jan 8. I've known for a month thus far. I've had non crohns related surgeries and I agree with you. It's a whole new ball game. I just wanted you to know there's someone out there feeling exactly the way you do right now. It's a lonely feeling even with a supportive family. I'm so thankful to read everyone's stories on here, it helps a lot. I'll be looking for your updates.:)
 
Hi Vonnie and Taytan. I had an ileocecal resection last March and I absolutely shared all your worries and fears. I posted on this site about how scared I was and got some amazing advice and support. The most important thing I can recommend is to be optimistic about life after your surgery. I had terrible symptoms for so many years before my surgery that I had forgotten what normal life was like. I'm not guaranteeing that everything will be completely better, but the last six months have been the best health I've had in years. My surgeon was able to do the surgery laparoscopically (and I had LOTS of strictures), and everything healed up nicely. I hope that you both have successful surgeries, and just remember to enjoy the time you can and be around supportive people before you go in. Good luck!
 
Hi Vonnie and Tayton-

My story is echoed in yours...I relate so much. I too am having a resection on Dec.11th. I've been living with symptoms and a nasty stricture for some time. I can't remember what normal feels like. I am mostly optimistic, but I am sure with passing day, the "heebie jeeebies" will creep back in. For some reason, I am most afriad of the anaesthesia and not waking up. Then I am afraid of the pain when I do wake up. I just have to keep reminding myself that I have good doctors and nurses, and they have great drugs on tap :) I know that I'll just join the many who have good success with surgery. But it is my first, so...yes...fear, excitement, fear, excitement....

I will be watching and sharing on this forum as soon as I can get someone to give me my computer afterwards. :)
 
Thanks for all the replies. Yes, there is fear of the pain, etc. but excitement that I might feel better in a lot of ways. I do have trust in my surgeon and I know that the only way out of this thing is through it. Thanks for the support. Sending hugs and positive thoughts your way Adam1971. Good luck! Let us know how it goes and I will do the same.
 
I'm scheduled about 4 weeks after both of you. You should be well on your way to recovery by then! I look forward to hearing from both of you after surgeries.:)
 
It sounds as though you have a mutual support society in here - and what a good thing that is.


Try not to worry too much, get as much sleep as you can beforehand, eat as well as you can - give your body the best chance possible to heal quickly and cleanly.

Let us know how things are going as you will have lots of people here thinking of you. :ghug:
 
Thanks everyone for your help. Good luck Taytan. As soon as possible, I will let you guys know how things went. I'm not sure how I'm feeling but I feel like my emotions are on a roller coaster.
 
Thanks everyone for your help. Good luck Taytan. As soon as possible, I will let you guys know how things went. I'm not sure how I'm feeling but I feel like my emotions are on a roller coaster.
Good luck with your surgery! Try to rest and eat your favorite food. Keep us posted! Hugs!
 
Hi, all! Sorry but I haven't had a computer for over a week. My surgery went really well. I had a drain and they were able to do it laporoscopic. They ended up taking a little more than they thought 30 cm instead of 10 but there were a few skipped spaces with crohns disease plus the stricture they already knew about. They only took a small piece of large intestine. The first few days were rough (nausea from meds, etc) but I am now home. I got home yesterday and I feel much better and getting around pretty well. Thanks for all your warm thoughts and prayers. I am definitely glad that it is over. I still have some healing to do and medication decisions to make with my doctor but I am just concentrating on getting my strength back first.
Thanks again. By the way, Adam1971, how did your surgery go? I thought about you as well while I was in the hospital. Let me know how it went.
 
Hi, all! Sorry but I haven't had a computer for over a week. My surgery went really well. I had a drain and they were able to do it laporoscopic. They ended up taking a little more than they thought 30 cm instead of 10 but there were a few skipped spaces with crohns disease plus the stricture they already knew about. They only took a small piece of large intestine. The first few days were rough (nausea from meds, etc) but I am now home. I got home yesterday and I feel much better and getting around pretty well. Thanks for all your warm thoughts and prayers. I am definitely glad that it is over. I still have some healing to do and medication decisions to make with my doctor but I am just concentrating on getting my strength back first..
You'll get your strength back soon! Every day makes a difference! Best wishes to you and your family.
 
Hi Vonnie!

I am home now, too. My surgery was open surgery so the hosptial time was a little longer. It still hurts a lot but I am surely gaining in strength and movement. Today I actually had what could only be called a normal bowel movement exactly 1 week after surgery! Thanks for thinking of me. I have been off the forum mostly b/c I have been too tired and/or drugged to focus on posting about the experience.
 
Glad to hear you're ok. I still don't have a solid bowel movement but here's to hoping! LOL Great to be back. Everyday gets a little better. Keep up the posts b/c they sure help.
 
Glad to hear from both of you, Vonnie & Adam1971! So glad to know you're surgeries went well. Seems like the longer I wait the more anxiety I get. Jan 8 will be here before I know it though. Keep me posted on your progress. :)
 
The only advice i could give you is not to rush things.It can take up to 6 months before your back to you old self.So please don't feel despondent if things seem to be going slow afterwards.If your not already on a course of infusions.Me personally,wish i had insisted as it could have stopped further operations.What they will say is your crohn's is gone so not much they can do now.Wrong!!.infusions should be used as a prevention as well as pain relief.Hope the op went as well as it could go and you are feeling good.Take care!
 
I am glad your surgeries went well Vonnie and Adam1971!!

Vonnie your surgery seems to be like mine they took 30 cm out and a small part of my large intestines..

Take it easy both of you I hope you feel better soon :ghug:
 
I will be looking at some type of maintenance drug therapy in 4-6 weeks. I am hoping that it will keep me in remission and I will be able to lead a "normal" life. Sometimes I have to stop myself from thinking about it coming back. I try to keep a positive perspective on it. Some things are out of our control but a hopeful attitude can't hurt. I'm taking time to rest and catch up on some reading so recuperation is not really bad. Thanks all!
 
For Taytan: The build up to the surgery was the worst for me. Once it came time I felt better mentally. I had 2 months to think about surgery and I think that is too long to have to think about something like this. Hang in there!
 
Thanks so much, Vonnie! That's exactly how I've felt. I have known since October that I would need surgery. So , yes..too much time to think! Hope you're doing well!
 
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