Surgery yesterday

I survived my ileo-colectomy!! So far, everything has gone pretty smoothly. My surgeon decided to do a laparoscopy assisted laparotomy (initial plan was for laparotomy). I've been up walking like crazy today - but nothing seems to be moving in the right direction (downward). I didn't get a pain pump, which was disappointing at first, but my last IV dose of Dilaudid was at 6:00 am and I'm now on Toradol q6 hours IV, and Dilaudid if necessary. I'm trying not to take anything to slow down the bowels. The catheter was taken out this morning and that department is working fine. My surgeon is a man of a very few words, but I did get out of him that he removed a section of about 1 foot, there was a very swollen, fibrotic area covered in mesentery fat (something like that) and that it's a good thing I had the surgery when I did. So all is well. Thank you for all of your good wishes and prayers. So far so good....

I am so glad your surgery went so well! Sounds like you are doing amazing, I can't believe you are up walking that much already! Make sure you don't overdo it and take the pain meds! I will be thinking of you this week...take good care.

Shelley

good luc- I pray for everything to go south- except your chest, lol

Best wishes ski bum. Just take it slow and steady and listen to your body. If you feel tired, rest. It will pay off in spades if you take care of yourself now. Maybe you could get a heating pad or hot water bottle, if you start getting distended before your bowels kick in.

Cheers

No burst of air yet Gail. I like that description! I just got the roommate from hell. You know, the moaning and groaning type with the loud visitors. Now I have even more motivation to get that air moving. They offered me the option of moving to another room, but I wish they could move her instead. It's always the quiet ones who have to suffer!

So glad to hear the surgery went smoothly. I can remember how exciting it was to have that first BM after surgery.My sister called everyone and told them. Take Care. Hoping you heal quickly.

pommom

Diagnosed  Crohn's, 1998..Gangrene Small Bowel,1998..Ostomy Take Down,1999..TPN for 5 1/2 months..Adhesion Removal,1999..Abdominal Hernia Repair,2000..Kidney Artery Bypass,2001...MEDS--Lomotil,Purinethol,Folic Acid, Fish Oil,Remicade,Levsin SL,Anamantle Cream,Cortifoam ,Ultram.and many more. 26 meds..

Ugh, lousy hospital roommates! If that one continues to be a pain, take them up on their offer to move you. I'm glad your surgery went well and that you are up and walking. Good for you!

Thanks everyone for the well wishes. I'm still waiting for things to start moving. No action yet. I think I'm going to need something more than walking - maybe a dynamite stick! The Toradol didn't work very well - gave me heart palpitations. I'm on to Vicodin now. As soon as I start passing some puffs, discharge shouldn't be far behind. So far, this experience has been a lot easier than I thought it would be. The worst part has been the roommate.

 

Ski bum,

Glad to hear you are doing well. I am 17 days post surgery. Ileo-cecal resection done the old-fashioned way.  Keep up the walking, its the only way to get things moving. I was the same way, I avoided narcotics as long as possible.  Ultimately, I gave in. Use them if ya need them.  Hang in there.

ajz 

GOING HOME TODAY!!

All is well. They were going to transfer me to another room yesterday afternoon, but at the last minute, they transferred my roommate. I don't think they wanted her on this floor, so they shipped her and her entourage outta here. Ten minutes after she left, I pooped.

Gail - you were moved 5 times?? That's kind of funny, but I'm sure it wasn't at the time. And Nanners, you had a roommate who was detoxing? Wow. When I build my hospital, it's going to be all private rooms and one big ward for all the difficult patients.

Thanks everyone for all your support. I wish everyone good health while I go home to sleep off my hospital stay.