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Surgery!

I'm scheduled for a right colectomy 6/15. Hopefully I can get down on the Prednisone by then. I am so excited! When they actually scheduled me in the system I felt this overwhelming sense of joy and relief. I didn't realize fully until now just how much I wanted this!

She seemed to think it would be fairly straightforward. She said most of my bowel is healthy, so she seemed optimistic that getting that inflammation out of there would put me in remission for a long time (maybe forever?). I take it with a grain of salt though, she is a surgeon not a GI specialist.

She said she didn't anticipate anything going wrong and thought the bowel would reconnect nicely. Bring it on!
 
Good luck I feel brill since my resection, about 5 weeks of recovery (1st on the hardest)and then felt better than I had for a long while. Hope you get as good a response, I had weaned down to about 5mg of pred pre surgery then they took me off everything which was the best part. I'm not sure what a colectomy involves though compared to my ileocecal resection but all the best.
 
Wow, they are not hanging about, then! Good, you can get it all done and dusted and you sound like you are so ready for it. What's the recovery time?
H x
Oops,Just spotted Archie's post re: recovery.
 
Ha ha I should've known that!!!!!!!
They use so many different terms honestly, I don't know how they expect us to keep track. Just today the term fistula was used for the first time. My GI has never used that term but the surgeon did. The GI always said "abscess" or "rupture." :yfaint: I say we get to pick whichever term freaks the non-Crohn's people out the most. :p

Thanks for the support everybody!
 
Wow, they are not hanging about, then! Good, you can get it all done and dusted and you sound like you are so ready for it. What's the recovery time?
H x
Oops,Just spotted Archie's post re: recovery.
They gave me a choice between the 15th and the 22nd and I was all, "The 15th! PLEASE!"

She said to look forward to five days in the hospital, to be able to go back to work at least part time in one to two weeks, and no roller derby for two months!
 
Is an abscess a fistula??? i'm learning something new everyday I thought a fistula was a channel between 2 organs that isn't supposed to be there!! i'll have to go back to basics I find the Doc, GI and surgeon all use different terms I think they do it to confuse you even more!!!
 
Is an abscess a fistula??? i'm learning something new everyday I thought a fistula was a channel between 2 organs that isn't supposed to be there!! i'll have to go back to basics I find the Doc, GI and surgeon all use different terms I think they do it to confuse you even more!!!
Technically they are different things, if I'm not mistaken. It's possible I have a fistula with/that caused an abscess? Who knows.
 

DustyKat

Super Moderator
Sending you all the luck in the world hun!!!...

:goodluck::goodluck::goodluck:

Sarah has had a fab outcome from hers and I'm hoping and praying that Matt follows suit!

A fistula and abscess are two different things, but they can be connected.

Dusty. xxx
 

ameslouise

Moderator
Hey Nicole! Good luck to you next week! Hope all goes well, recovery is easy and you feel tons better when it's all over!!

Keep us posted!! xo - Ames
 
Thanks everybody. :)

I am trying to be realistic about it and not get my hopes up too much, but I really feel like this is going to change my life and I am so so ready for it.
 
Also I can't tell you how relieved I was when I found out they don't put the catheter in until you're already out! I was having some anxiety about that. I pride myself on my ability to tolerate being poked and prodded without reacting but that's a bit much for me.
 
I've had a catheter 3 times now and it's nothing to worry about, couldn't wait to get rid of it though but not Painful, I think it's worse for guys!!! The only thing I disliked about the surgery is they gave me an epidural for pain relief before the GA and it gave me nothing but trOuble, they couldn't get it n at first and when they did it was sore. I couldnt wait to get it removed but I had to wait at least 24 hrs post surgery due to the clexane injections I'd had, I can honestly say I didn't need it the actual surgery site wasn't that painful, if I was having the surgery again I definitely wouldn't have an epidural!!
 

xJillx

Your Story Forum Monitor
I wish you all the luck in the world on the 15th!

I hope you have a speedy recovery and have YEARS of remission!
 

Astra

Moderator
Good Luck from me too hun!
Hope it's the solution and keeps you pain free forever!
xxxxxxxxx
 

ameslouise

Moderator
Hey Nicole, just wanted to remember to say good luck on Wednesday!!! I hope it all goes well and you are feeling tons better very soon.

Re the catheter...I had to have mine pulled out and reinserted about four days after my surgery and while I was wide awake. In the scheme of things.... it was really not that bad! But it's still better to have it done while you are already under!

xo xo - Ames
 

AndiGirl

Your Story Forum Monitor
I wanted to wish you luck, Nicole. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Hopefully this procedure will bring you the much needed relief and increase in your health and happiness. When you are bored during the recovery stage, we are hear for you. Hugs to you, sweetie.
 
You are all so wonderful! Thanks for all the well wishes.

I was at dinner the other day and some people were asking me questions and I felt better prepared to answer them knowing the experiences of people on this forum. At one point I said "Some of us..." and it felt good to have an "us" because before I found this place it was just me. I registered a year ago as of June 24th!
 

DustyKat

Super Moderator
Awww, that is so sweet!

I know this is a special place but hearing it told like that is just fab. Thanks for that!

:mademyday:

Dusty. xxxxxxxx
 
hey - is someone going to update us? Good luck !!!! You will do great .. I hope this provides some relief!!

Wendy
 
Recovery

I am actually in recovery from my second Ileocolectomy which I had on May 16th. The recovery isn't bad, most of your pain (if not all) should be gone by the time you leave the hospital. The best part is you should notice a difference in your symptoms almost immediately. Even while I was sitting in the hospital both times I could already tell that my Crohn's wasn't effecting me. A lot of doctors don't like to resort to surgery but I'm glad I had it done, and I'm sure you will be too.

Best of luck to you and hoping for a speedy recovery.

:ybiggrin:
 

Astra

Moderator
Another good luck Nicole from meeeee!
It's my son's birthday the 15th so that's a lucky day!
I love the 'us', it's so us!
xxx
 
They just called me with my time. I check in at 6 a.m. Wednesday morning (yay first thing in the morning) and surgery is at 7. I will be sure somebody knows to post here to let you know how it goes.
 
Hi Everyone,

This is diesanduhr's husband. And I just wanted to update this with news of her surgery. Everything went well. I'm sure she'll be up and posting in the near future.

I'd like to personally thank all of you for the support and the website setup to help all in this boat. It's been a huge help to both of us.

Thanks,
Looking forward to recovery!
 
Thank you so much for the update and very glad to hear that things are going well :) Give her a big kiss and a gentle hug from me ..... and a hug for you too. I'm sure you are needing one!
Helen xxx
 

DustyKat

Super Moderator
Thanks for the update!

I'm so happy to hear that all went well! YAY! Get well soon hun and I hope you have a speedy and very uneventful post op period!

:getwell::getwell::getwell:

Much love, :Karl:
Dusty. xxxxxxxx
 
Hey guys! I have some ranting to do later but typing is kinda tough right now with all the things attached to my hands.

I am doing pretty good. Definitely feeling better now than I had expected. *knock wood* I think they finally found a pain med for me that doesn't make me extremely ill (Dilaudid). I'm still trying to take as low a dose as I can tolerate. Makes me a little dizzy and they think that's why I'm itchy. I am hoping I can stop using it soon. Hope you all are doing well.
 

LOSTnut

Poopy
Probably they can give you some antihistamines with the Dilaudid to stop the itching.

Glad to hear that your surgery went well and wishing you all the best for a speedy recovery.

:hug:
 

LOSTnut

Poopy
At least you finally found something to keep the pain in check, always a biggie!

LOL, I was the opposite of you and couldn't handle the Dilaudid.

Are you pushing the button? :)
 
I think I was itchy after the GA it's a side effect, hope your up walking about, I walked walked and walked some more and it still took 6 days til I went to the loo!!!!! glad to hear your not too bad but still take it really really easy...
 

DustyKat

Super Moderator
Dilaudid is a derivative of morphine and itching is a common side effect of morphine. Hopefully you'll be off it soon and outta there!

Thinking of you hun, :hug:
Dusty. xxxxxxxx
 

ameslouise

Moderator
Hey Nicole! So happy to hear all went well!

Relax and take it easy - give yourself plenty of time to recover.

Thinking of you and wishing you a very easy recovery. xo xo - Ames
 

AndiGirl

Your Story Forum Monitor
Hi Nicole! I have you in my prayers and am glad to hear that things went well. Please take it easy. Your health is the most important thing right now.
 
Hey.... how are you??? I am soooo glad to hear all went well..... waiting on the rant :p

yep..I itch with dilaudid as well and the good news about it is it isnt AS addictive as some of the other opiates. not to say it isnt but i didnt find the withdrawl very bad at all.... I found the withdrawl inbetween doses to be bad in terms of mood. I remember getting quite irritable.

anyhow... I hope you are hanging in. I hope you can give an update soon :)

Wendy

 

Tami Lynn

Forum Angel
Glad to hear that everything went well for you!

I too had surgery a week ago today on 6/13/11. For me it was an open laparotomy and strictureplasty. The Dillaudid made me itch too. They cut my dose down to 1/4 and it seems to me that the further along recovery was, the worse it made me feel (instead of better). I'm surviving on Extra strength Tylenol as the only mode of pain relief now.

I just came home yesterday. My advice is take it easy, but walk and move around/sit up as much as you can tolerate without allowing the pain to get too bad. Best wishes for a speedy recovery and hope you'll be feeling better than ever in no time flat!
 
diesanduhr,

I was Googling "small bowel resection" and Google popped up a list and I saw "Small bowel resection roller derby" so I just HAD to click. And here I am.

I'm a derby referee currently on leave of absence because my Crohn's is too out of control for me to reliably be at a bout. I still NSO (since an NSO is much easier to replace if they're suddenly sick at the last minute).

I've had Crohn's for a long time and I am about to call to schedule my MRI which will confirm that my stricture is back (the pain is back, so I am sure it is). The MRI will probably show that it's time for my first resection (I get MRIs now because my doctor can't get a scope past my stricture -- which is fine because the MRI prep is much much more pleasant).

Get well soon! I haven't skated since the day before Easter myself, when my league had an away bout and I drove six hours to get to it and arrived with the big D. Frustrating! I took a bunch of immodium and reffed anyway... :p We'll both be back out there on the track before we know it. :ghug:
 
Hey guys,

I'm still recovering. I took a few days off of the forum because I was freaking myself out with everything that can go wrong. I think I'm really doing pretty well. I don't know what caused the itching... after the Benadryl fiasco I decided to just cut down on how much I was using. Today I'm not on any pain meds and I feel fine. Just a little tired.
 
diesanduhr,

I was Googling "small bowel resection" and Google popped up a list and I saw "Small bowel resection roller derby" so I just HAD to click. And here I am.
That's hilarious! What league do you ref for? I'm sorry to hear your Crohn's has interfered with your ability to do it... I know how heartbreaking it is. I'm really hoping that in 8 weeks I'll be all recovered from surgery and in remission so I can get back to it and try out.

I hope your situation gets figured out soon and you're back on skates.
 

AndiGirl

Your Story Forum Monitor
I'm just checking in to see if your okay. I hope the itchiness has subsided. What an icky side effect. Keep resting and healing. Hugs to you! :)
 

DustyKat

Super Moderator
Excellent news hun! Keeping my fingers and toes crossed that it all continues to be smooth sailing...Onward and Upward!

:mademyday:

Dusty. xxx
 
I checked in with my GI today. He told me "I think you're going to be feeling a lot better." And I go, "I already do!"

I am off of meds (once I finish the prednisone taper). He is going to check my bloods in 3 months and do a colonoscopy in 6. If the colonoscopy is clear I will stay off of meds. Is this typical? It makes me nervous to not be on a maintenance medication. It's like a security blanket. I know surgery doesn't cure Crohn's. I'm not sure who's happier I'm off of Humira though, me or my insurance company. :D
 

DustyKat

Super Moderator
Woohoo! This is so fab to hear, I am so happy for you hun...:hug:

That's interesting about the meds because that is something I would expect a surgeon to say, not a GI. I would have thought that most GI's are in favour of maintenance meds and I imagine it is more the norm to be on something than not.

Both my kids are on maintenance medication. Same surgery, same maintenance regime and two different GI's that prescribed them.

May the good times last a lifetime mate! :)
Dusty. xxx
 
Hmmm well I should probably get my story out before it's no longer fresh in my mind... Hope somebody finds my experience useful. Keep in mind for a lot of this I was on a LOT of drugs. The order may be incorrect and some things may be unintentionally mis-attributed. I do my best.

Night before surgery I drank the Go Lytely. I chose the lemon lime packets. The first glass was the worst. I tried the hold your nose and drink strategy but it didn't help too much. I definitely wasn't able to drink 8 oz every 10 minutes... I wasn't supposed to have anything to eat or drink after midnight so at 11:50 I called it quits. I think I managed 74/80 ounces. I know they tell you to drink it all but I think that was close enough.

Morning of the surgery I got up, showered, put on my "freshly laundered, warm, comfortable clothes." My mom didn't realize what time it was and my OH didn't know how pressed for time we were. I was grumpy and stressed. We left a little later than planned. When we got to the hospital my mom dropped me off at the front entrance and then parked the car. I checked in with the intake guy. He goes, "Oh day surgery that's good." I didn't know what that meant so I just smiled. Got my bracelet printed off. We went to the surgery waiting room. The lady who checked me in there said it would be day surgery and I would be going home that day. I said, "My surgeon told me I would be in the hospital for five days." The lady said something to the effect of sometimes your doctor doesn't know, or something. This made me nervous. I didn't want to go home if my doc thought I should be there for five days!

Next I went to the room where they prep you for the OR. I took off my clothes and put on my gown. Lots of people came in to the room. Things were being strapped to me. People were introducing themselves and asking me redundant questions. A nice lady injected some local anesthetic and I didn't even feel my IV go in. I ask for the patch to go behind my ear for nausea and someone puts that on. My doc came in and asked if we were ready. I voiced my concerns about people saying this would be day surgery. My doctor told me no way would I be going home that day and not to worry. I felt better. The anesthetist came in. He said he was going to give me something to relax me. I didn't realize it was going to knock me out so I didn't brace myself for that. He gave me the stuff and I looked at my mom and started imitating David After the Dentist (link). I guess everybody thought that was pretty funny. I remember they started wheeling me away and laughing my head off... I guess I was pretty impressed with myself? Last thing I remember is being mid laugh.

I wake up in recovery. My eyes are really, REALLY blurry. I keep trying to get them to focus. There is a bed with a man to my left and an empty bed to my right. I am extremely nauseous. Eventually a woman is wheeled to the spot to my right. The nurse asks if I want pain meds, I refuse. In retrospect, a bad choice. She tells someone else that I've been in pain for so long I don't want her giving me pain meds (I am pretty sure that actually happened). After a while she calls someone on the phone, tells them I have the patch on my ear, have been given two other anti-nausea meds (IIRC Zofran and another ?) and makes a request for Compazine. They grant her the request. She gives it to me and either it makes me feel better or I start coming out of the anesthesia a little better, but they are ready to move me. A nice lady comes and wheels me out and about. I'm taken to the freight elevator and moved from the third floor to the 8th.

They get to my room and this is the worst part. They have to move me from the OR bed to my recovery room bed. I am on and inflatable air mattress. They inflate it and drag me to my new bed. This hurt like I couldn't believe. Next they roll me to my right side to get the mattress free on that side, then my left side to get it out from under me. OMG I thought I was going to die.

My mom was there or came there shortly. My OH arrived a few minutes after they had moved me (good timing). He gave me a stuffed sloth he had ordered for me. I can't even tell you what a comfort this was. I clung to him. It made me feel so much better, or maybe just ok with how awful I felt.

I met my nurse and aid and they took my vitals every hour for four hours and then every four hours for the remainder of my stay.

I found out pretty quickly that my catheter wasn't working, although the nurses never believed me. The first time it happened I told the nurse I felt like I needed to pee. They said that was normal just because there was a foreign object there, which made sense. But pretty soon it started to hurt. They would move the tubing and suddenly I would "start peeing" and they would declare it was working. This happened at least three times. One time I had to wait quite a while before they answered my call button and the pain just kept getting worse. This was my first day after surgery so I was very limited in my mobility. They told me they would remove it the next morning so I was counting down the hours. Eventually I figured out that if I swung my legs over the bed and attempted to stand, that would get it going again. But it still pisses me off (haha) that they didn't believe me, even though three times in a row my pee would start flowing only AFTER they started fixing the tubing. GRR. One nurse even filled my bladder with saline and then exclaimed, "Oh, it's not coming out." So I can't tell you how happy I was when they took that thing out.

Apparently a new federal regulation if you have a PCA (patient controlled narcotics, not sure what the A stands for) button, they have to have a monitor of your O2 and pulse. Well I kept setting the machine off when I fell asleep, my breathing would slow down too much. So they put me on oxygen. This was the beginning of my anxiety starting to creep in. All those things hooked to me and alarms going off frayed my nerves completely.

I had a JP drain that they would check every few hours and after a few days that stopped working as well and I started soaking through my dressing which was gross and uncomfortable. One of my nurses stripped the drain for me, but it never worked as well after that.

Most of my days in the hospital consisted of a doctor visit and the nurse and aid introducing themselves to me. The first day I hit my pain button every half hour or so, I didn't want the pain to get ahead of me. The next day every 45 minutes or hour. After that I didn't hit my pain button much at all. Either the Dilaudid or the anesthesia (probably the latter) made me all itchy. When I told them about that they said they would give me Benadryl. I requested to be given that in the evening, because it puts me to sleep. That night they gave me a dose and within seconds my head was swimming. I felt like I was going to pass out. In an effort to stay conscious I was futzing around on my laptop. Well I didn't know it, but typing was setting off my oxygen (I thought it was the Benadryl) so I start freaking out even more. When my mom pointed out that the machine went off when I typed, I calmed down a bit. The nurse asked if I'd ever had panic attacks. Then she told me to not fight the Benadryl and I tried to go to sleep. Whew!

The second day was my best day in the hospital I think. After that I tried reducing my pain button usage and getting around was a little more "rough," although I managed. I was supposed to walk at least twice a day. I had these things around my legs, I called them water wings. They filled with air at intervals to help the blood go back up my legs and prevent a blood clot. These were the biggest obstacle to being independent in getting out of bed and walking around. After my second or so trip to the bathroom I asked my nurse or aid to show me how to detach everything so I wouldn't have to call them.

I tried the chewing gum trick but I don't think it helped me. My stomach was slow to wake up and I hadn't really had a "real" bowel movement by the time I went home. The first few days I was kept on fluids from the IV and allowed to eat ice chips only. I loved my ice chips. Then one day I was allowed to have soup and juice. Oh nectar of the Gods! That soup would make me gag normally (vegetable medley). My doctor told me she would change my protocol to solid foods but SHE DIDN'T and then they couldn't get a hold of her so I was kept on liquids. Boo!

Eventually I met my milestones and was cleared to go home. We waited quite a while for the doctor to visit me (not my surgeon, but he had been in my surgery). There was a sign on the wall that said, "We strive to discharge patients by 11 a.m." But the docs don't care. Haha. He told me I could go home so my nurse came to remove my staples and drain. She told me to hit my pain button. She removed the drain which was really painful but so quick. Then she overrode my pain protocol so I could hit my pain button again. She removed my tape. This was actually the most painful part. Not because the tape hurt, but because it tickled, and my muscles would twitch/contract and that was excruciating! The staples came out fairly uneventfully (although I think she missed one). I didn't even feel her take out my IV. She put Steri-Strips over my incision and told me to let them fall off naturally and trim the ends if they curled up. So far most of them are still whole and still on (a week later). She put a big ole piece of gauze over where the drain was removed and a clear plastic window over that. She told me to leave that for three days.

The clear plastic thing was supposed to be water proof but it would leak after I took a shower. I was really glad when I got to take that off. My first day home I tried not to use my muscles too much. I only took two Dilaudid after being let out of the hospital. I don't really have any pain "at rest" and the pain when I'm active is really pretty minimal. Honestly aside from what I described as specifically painful, the pain of the whole ordeal was considerably less than what I had been in. It makes me feel like I really should have been on pain medication a loooooong time ago. I just hate it and I think I become addicted easily (by this I mean I am addicted to caffeine), so I try not to take it.

I am doing pretty well now. I saw my GI and he thinks I am healing well. I hope I haven't forgotten anything. If you have any questions about my experience please feel free to ask. Sorry I switch tense at least once back there, I know it's jarring.
 
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DustyKat

Super Moderator
Thanks for putting that down hun. I have no doubt it will helpful to many, many people here...:thumleft:

Death to the catheter!...:voodoo:. Matt hated his and couldn't wait till it was out either. I think it was the thing that bothered him the most. Sarah's blocked when she was in ICU and they kept pumping the fluids into her thinking she was dry. I asked them if it was blocked and they said no, so I said it won't work to check, and sure enough it was.

The A in PCA is for Analgesia.

Dusty. xxx
 
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I can't remember what day (maybe day 2?) but they told me my doc had ordered that I be put on blood thinners. I was not a fan of this idea. They said they would wait until that evening. I was concerned about intestinal bleeding. I also didn't like that my doc hadn't talked about it with me before ordering it.
 
Thanks for putting that down hun. I have no doubt it will helpful to many, many people here...:thumleft:

Death to the catheter!...:voodoo. Matt hated his and couldn't wait till it was out either. I think it was the thing that bothered him the most. Sarah's blocked when she was in ICU and they kept pumping the fluids into her thinking she was dry. I asked them if it was blocked and they said no, so I said it won't work to check, and sure enough it was.

The A in PCA is for Analgesia.

Dusty. xxx
That annoys me so much! I had to pee so freaking bad! I really think that was the worst/most painful part of the whole ordeal. I was so happy when it was gone.

And because you're hooked to an IV you have to pee so much more. AUGH.
 

AndiGirl

Your Story Forum Monitor
Hi Nicole and welcome back! I can totally relate to your distaste for the catheter. I hate them! They hurt and are so dang uncomfortable. It sounds like you've had quite an ordeal.

I am no fan of narcotic either. I've been under terrible pain where I had to take them, but if I can ride it out, I'll do that. Most of them upset my already upset stomach. Let's see, will I choose pain or puking? Ugh! My father had both of his knees replaced several years ago; at the same time. He was on narcotics for a while. He had some issues with anxiety and paranoia. They switched his painkillers and he did okay. Can they try another narcotic, or pain med.?

You are still in my prayers, sweetie. Hang in there dear friend!
 
Let's see, will I choose pain or puking? Ugh! My father had both of his knees replaced several years ago; at the same time. He was on narcotics for a while. He had some issues with anxiety and paranoia. They switched his painkillers and he did okay. Can they try another narcotic, or pain med.?

You are still in my prayers, sweetie. Hang in there dear friend!
This, exactly! I will take pain over puking every time! Although before the surgery the puking was because of the pain.

I had my wisdom teeth out a few years ago and they tried two different types of pain meds but they both made me sick, so I just ended up not taking them. I wonder if it was the Dilaudid making my anxiety worse. I will have to make a note of that if I ever have to take it again. I imagine it will be my go to drug if I ever have another surgery because I know it doesn't make me sick.
 

DustyKat

Super Moderator
It is pretty stock standard when you have had surgery, or are pretty immobile, to jab you with Clexane (blood thinner) twice day and pop the lovely TED stockings on you. Matt managed to avoid the jab in the local hospital and got away with the stockings only. In Sydney he was stuck with both. When we were there in January I had to convince them he didn't need the jab in the last week, hell we were out and about all day!

Hope your recovery is going well hun...:hug:

Much love, :Karl:
Dusty. xxxxxxxx
 
Thanks for posting this, Diesandhur. You can read about procedures on the Net etc, but you don't get the same detail and things you really want to know from the clinical versions. Can I ask you what a JP drain is?
it's great to have you back. Take it easy and heal soon. xxx
 
The JP drain is like a little bulb attached to a long plastic tube. There is like a long rubber paddle that is inside of you that the tube attaches to. You can google pictures of it. The suction of the bulb pulls the serosanguinous fluid out of your wound area... in theory. This is nice because they can keep the fluid out of your body and also they can measure how much fluid there is and whether it's decreasing. It's probably also good because they can tell if the fluid changes at all (in case of infection or something).

I just remembered that my first day in the hospital the drain wasn't attached to anything. So when I went for a walk it was just swinging freely and hanging from the site... it might have been after that that I started needing dressing changes. So if you end up with a drain make sure they pin it to your gown!
 

DustyKat

Super Moderator
I just remembered that my first day in the hospital the drain wasn't attached to anything. So when I went for a walk it was just swinging freely and hanging from the site... it might have been after that that I started needing dressing changes. So if you end up with a drain make sure they pin it to your gown!
OUCH!!!

Matt's had quite a long tube before the bulb and a hanger on the bag so we were able to hang it from the IV pole when he was walking.

Dusty. xxx
 
A couple things I forgot. They gave me a "breathing machine," (an incentive spirometer) to keep me from getting pneumonia. I was told to use it ten times every two hours. Basically you take a slow, big deep breath and as you breathe a little piece of plastic floats in a chamber. Your goal is to keep the piece of plastic floating (within the margins) for as long as you can. I have no pneumonia to report so I guess it did its job.

Also the tape where my IV was irritated my skin pretty bad. It is just today (almost two weeks later) looking like it's healing. The skin was red and scaly and VERY itchy. I put lotion on it regularly.

I saw the surgeon yesterday. She took my staples out (I had three left). My stomach is now free of all bandages. She says to put a dressing over my incision if I'm going to be wearing pants that will cover/irritate that area. The appointment was quick. She gave me my pathology report (will post that later) and then took my staples out. I asked a couple questions and that was basically it.

She says I could probably roller skate now if I wanted to. Nothing too aggressive. In two more weeks some jogging and stationary bike. Seven more weeks before contact, I believe.

She actually removed about 6" less than they had predicted, so that's pretty cool. I had 18 cm (7") removed.
 

Astra

Moderator
Thanks Nicole for posting your journey, I'm sure it's gonna help some peeps facing surgery in the future.
Hope you're resting and chillin, and recovering well
Take it easy
xxx
 

DustyKat

Super Moderator
Excellent news!!! It's great to know you ended up with less being taken out than you thought! YAY!

I hope your recovery continues to go fabulously well hun...:hug:

Onward and Upward, :thumleft:
Dusty. xxx
 

ameslouise

Moderator
Hey Nicole - just checking in to see how your surgery went! Glad all went well you and you are on the road to recovery. Remember to take it easy and get plenty of rest, don't push yourself too hard too fast!!!

I had the same issue with the catheter - worst pain of my life!!!

And the JP drain.... didn't it hurt like an MF when they took it out??! Yowza!

Take care of yourself!! xo - Ames
 

AndiGirl

Your Story Forum Monitor
Hi Nicole! It sounds like you're feeling better. Were you able to find a pain killer that was moe agreeable? Hopefully the pain is going away. Please take it easy. Even if you feel a lot better, it's better to heal completely. Hugs to you! :)
 
I am getting really sick of how often I have to go to the bathroom now. I am really hoping this is just a period of adjustment rather than an indicator of how life is going to be from now on. And of course I'm stubborn as hell, so I don't go to the bathroom right when my body tells me to, which leads to accidents... *deep sigh*

My doc told me BeneFiber would help with this. Does anybody else have some remedies that might make this better? I've never really taken anything to prevent D. Maybe I should restart my Dilaudid to constipate me (this is a joke!). Hehehe. I know my friend used to to take tincture of opium, but she said it tasted nasty. Any thoughts? I will go digging on the forum for what people use.
 
Hi Nicole! It sounds like you're feeling better. Were you able to find a pain killer that was moe agreeable? Hopefully the pain is going away. Please take it easy. Even if you feel a lot better, it's better to heal completely. Hugs to you! :)
In retrospect, I am guessing that the itchiness was a delayed reaction to the anesthesia. Dilaudid and I are going to be BFFs I think (when I need it, of course).
 
I can really relate to the annoyance of how much you have to pee when on an IV. And the Dilaudid... it did make me feel anxious in higher doses (when it was wearing off).

Glad to see you on here Nicole writing and expressing your experience. Hope you recover quickly

xo
 
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The catheter! I had that problem too! It hurt like hell and I kept complaining about it and they wouldn't believe me! This also always seemed to happen at night when there were less nurses on the floor, of course. That was awful. I think I blocked that out actually.

I'm so glad that you are doing so well! Thanks for sharing! It's good that you wrote it out while it's still fresh in your mind. All of those tiny details will really help a lot of people. Just think, the worst part's over!

-Karissa
 

DustyKat

Super Moderator
Sarah was prescribed Questran. She found it very unpalatable, it is a powder, but I know many people here have success with it and it did actually work for her. I think BeneFibre is psyllium, is that right? Sarah also tried something similar called Metamucil but that caused her pain and cramping, I always thought it may have had something to do with it being being a commercially prepared product IYKWIM, however natural psyllium husks proved to be perfect.

Sarah has short bowel syndrome but Matt had much less bowel taken out and he is also experiencing diarrhoea, about 4-5 times a day. His pattern is very different to Sarah's and he is still taking Flagyl as well. I am hoping that over time this will settle but his surgeon did note on the letter of review that if it continued Questran may be helpful.

Dusty. xxx
 
I found the big D settled quickly esp after I started eating fruit and veg again after 6 weeks. My pathology report came back with a carcinoid tumour on the appendix which frecked me out a lot, but have been assured by 3 of the consultants that it was tiny and absolutely nothing to worry about, completely insignificant and could've had it my whole life without knowing, that said i'm glad it's out all the same!!! apart from that it was definitely crohn's... hope your recovering well x
 
Sarah was prescribed Questran. She found it very unpalatable, it is a powder, but I know many people here have success with it and it did actually work for her. I think BeneFibre is psyllium, is that right? Sarah also tried something similar called Metamucil but that caused her pain and cramping, I always thought it may have had something to do with it being being a commercially prepared product IYKWIM, however natural psyllium husks proved to be perfect.

Sarah has short bowel syndrome but Matt had much less bowel taken out and he is also experiencing diarrhoea, about 4-5 times a day. His pattern is very different to Sarah's and he is still taking Flagyl as well. I am hoping that over time this will settle but his surgeon did note on the letter of review that if it continued Questran may be helpful.

Dusty. xxx
Yes, I know what you mean. Thanks for the reviews...

I am hoping the D will settle soon. It's definitely getting on my nerves. I am wondering if maybe the antibiotics gave me C. diff again and was thinking about asking my GI to do a stool culture, just to make sure. But I figured I should give it some time to see if I'm just adjusting.
 
Hey Diesanduhr,

Sorry this is like weeks late.

Anyway, i am delighted to see that you are on the mend.

Lots of hugs etc and keep up the great progress.

Regards

Bruscar
 
The catheter! I had that problem too! It hurt like hell and I kept complaining about it and they wouldn't believe me! This also always seemed to happen at night when there were less nurses on the floor, of course. That was awful. I think I blocked that out actually.

I'm so glad that you are doing so well! Thanks for sharing! It's good that you wrote it out while it's still fresh in your mind. All of those tiny details will really help a lot of people. Just think, the worst part's over!

-Karissa
Augh, why don't they believe you! Every time I would tell them it wasn't draining, they would look at the bag and declare that it was working fine. I was like, NO that's the pee from the last time you people fiddled with it! :ymad:

I must admit I am happy I'm not the only one this has happened to. They made me feel crazy like it wasn't possible for it to not be draining.
 

LOSTnut

Poopy
In a case like this I used to call all of them just because I didn't know where it came from and could be the responsibility of either one.

And, sometimes it just takes too long for one of them to respond back.
 

Terriernut

Moderator
Feeling faint/like I'm gonna faint. Not sure which doctor to go to/call?
Honey, call emergency if you're feeling that bad. Have you been drinking enough water? Really, if you're alone, call for an ambulance or get a neighbor to take you to ER

Hope you feel better soon!!!!
 
Honey, call emergency if you're feeling that bad. Have you been drinking enough water? Really, if you're alone, call for an ambulance or get a neighbor to take you to ER

Hope you feel better soon!!!!
I'm at work... I have been feeling vaguely light headed/nauseous for about a week. Just today did I have that feeling like I'm going to faint. I have been eating and drinking more since I started having this feeling. Although today I'm wondering if it's just my anxiety getting out of control. If it happens again I will definitely do something about it.

My best guess is either anxiety or anemia for some reason.
 

Terriernut

Moderator
Need to let the Dr's know. It may not be your anxiety.
oh here comes again, sorry HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS.
It gets away from me sometimes.

:kiss:
 
Thanks. :)

I don't mean to worry anyone. I don't think it's super serious but you're right, I should call the docs and get it straightened out. I had been hoping I could wait either 'til the 26th (I see my surgeon) or a couple months 'til my routine blood draws. :p

I feel silly calling my GI. I'm worried they will be like "and why are you calling US about this?"
 
I had surgery on the 15th of last month. I went back to work after about two weeks. I am lucky to have a sedentary job!
 

Terriernut

Moderator
Perhaps two weeks was a bit premature? Dr's do need to know what is happening luv. You shouldnt wait, and they wont think badly of you, believe me.

I'm surprised they agreed to let you go back so soon. You're body sounds to me like its trying to tell you something, and you need to listen to it.
oh oh...huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuugggggggggggggsssssssssssssssssssssss,
and please ring the dr right now, cause if you dont, I'm harrassing you with hugs! So there!
 

LOSTnut

Poopy
No, no, no -- you better call them all. You just had surgery and you don't wait around .. better a false alarm than keeling over and being back in the hospital.
 
Lol, ok. Message received. GI and surgeon? Or GI, surgeon, and GP? I don't really have a relationship with my GP.
 
Perhaps two weeks was a bit premature? Dr's do need to know what is happening luv. You shouldnt wait, and they wont think badly of you, believe me.

I'm surprised they agreed to let you go back so soon. You're body sounds to me like its trying to tell you something, and you need to listen to it.
oh oh...huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuugggggggggggggsssssssssssssssssssssss,
and please ring the dr right now, cause if you dont, I'm harrassing you with hugs! So there!
She told me yesterday I was allowed to get back to jogging, which I was pretty stoked about. :D
 

Terriernut

Moderator
GP, and GI, AND surgeon. Even no relationship to GP, they should get you in. Explain to reception you've just had major surgery and how you feel. Do you have a fever by the way?
 
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