Upcoming Resection

Hello Everyone.Have been reading posts for a couple of weeks,a very nice group to say the least.I was first diagnosed with Crohn`s in 2000 and have suffered a fair amount with it ever since.In 2005 my colon ruptured from diverticulitis,almost died from it.I have an upcoming resection of the terminal ileum on May 1, and for some reason I am more nervous about it than I was from the previous surgery.Would appreciate any encouragement you may have to offer.
Thanks,
Michael

I am having a resection next wednesday. I am very anxious also. Kind of surprised since I have been in and out of the hospital for 8 years. Maybe we can keep in touch with each other and help each other thru this..my e-mail is available. I just can't wait to get it over with so I can stop second guessing everything. Good luck and stay positve!!!

Bradlaugh,

I just had a resection of the terminal ileum 17 days ago. They removed 12 including 2 inch of colon. I was terrified so I know exactly what you are thinking. I was in and out of hospitals all my life with nasty CD.  But, this was my first surgery, and I had a hard time.  If it makes ya feel any better, I was up and walking the next day and drinking liquids in 2 days.  As for pain, I was sore from the incision. It was manageable with tylenol, Ibuprofen, and oxycodone.  As of a few days ago, i am off pain meds and eating / drinking normally.  I am trying things I haven't had in years due to the CD. Surgery isn't fun as you know but you will be fine.  The first week post-op will be tough, but then it gets easier. You will be fine.  Keep tough !!

ajz

Michael, hello & welcome. Please know right off the bat, it is very normal to feel nervous about your upcoming surgery.
I've been through it a couple of times now, & in the same area as you. While it's not a walk in the park, you will receive
good pain control, that makes the ordeal much more bearable.

One thing to keep in mind. As soon as you're able walk the floors, as much as possible. It really does help to get things
moving along, and the sooner you can do that, the sooner you will get to go home!!!

I wish all the best, but I know you will be fine....

Brad, I so understand your feelings right now. Speaking from experience it is one heck of a lot easier to be told - oh, oh, emergency surgery right NOW and have it done than it is to deliberately say okay I agree to surgery that can't be scheduled for a month or two weeks or however long from now. Now you have that anticipation hanging over your head all that while and an active imagination working overtime in the background.

I had an emergency resection of 18" of the mid-ileum back in early 1978. It was the EASIEST surgery I've had, EASIEST recovery! The incision pain felt a whole lot BETTER than the previous Crohn's pain! And it only hurt when I laughed, coughed or rolled over. Keep a nice pillow handy and hold it firmly to your incision and get up and get moving!!! The sooner and the more you walk after surgery the faster and easier your recovery!! I "did" love that pillow. As much as the pain meds. Maybe even more. I'm not saying I was speed walking two days after surgery but I "was" covering a good 2 block length of the hospital halls by the end of that day. Despite the pain when I had to laugh or cough I felt BETTER that second day after surgery than I had in the previous 2 1/2 years. And I say second day after surgery as I had NO MEMORY from the morning going into surgery until the second morning after surgery. I "lost" that day and a half somewhere.