ILEOCOLECTOMY/RESECTION

I'm such a woos. Now I'm breaking down crying and crap. I'm feeling okay today, but now when I eat I have to eat in small amounts due to pressure of the stricture. I'm really scared, just trying to look forward pass the surgery. I'm freaking out because I don't know if the pain is going to be to unbearable. The only major thing I really had done to me that I can remember is having two teeth pull under anasteshia in the 6th grade I went to sleep. It felt like I went to sleep for two seconds and they were waking me up, but I was still very sleepy and don't really remember pain as much as sleepiness. I know that I can't compare the two but, I'm just really don't know, and then starving for 2 1/2 days on top of that, is not good. I know I probably won't feel hungry after surgery but, my through and mouth are going to be dry as crap and I can't really stand that. Just really scared of the negatives even though they have slim chances of happening but, my size scares me, I feel like its not enough prep for me to go through something like this. I mean shouldn't there be test to ensure my health. I'm just supposed to go in two hours before and then they prep me, then two hours later they roll me in. I'm terrified at this point? HELP. I know you all may think I'm a big baby, but please understand that I'm still young and never had anything like this placed ahead of me. I just need a CONFIDENCE BOOST.

When I try to talk to them about the surgery and how I feel. They cut me off. My dad listen for a minute, but then he quickly says what am I so scared about in an argumentive way. I try to explain to him that this is a major surgery, but he just doesn't want to hear it. My stepmom just completely cuts me off and says, that I need to stop worrying. I really don't think they get how serious this disease is. Ever since I was diagnosed they've been pushing it off as something that is bearable. They scourn me sometimes when something is not done around the house and say that I'm using my stomach as an excuse. I mean I do alot around the house and they should see that I struggle sometimes. My lil half bro barley listens he is 18, and he is always saying that if it was him then he would have been had the surgery. My family just doesn't understand. My dad works day shift at a plant/factory so its hard for him to take a day off. My stepmom is taking the day off to be with me, but why be there and you don't want to listen to my emotions and feelings. My birth mother side of the family keeps in touch with me, alot of them are concerned, alot of my aunts say they are going to be there, one aunt says that she is going to be there with me from admittance to the discharge. I really think that I am going to be winging this on my own, because I'm supposed to have the surgery done in Columbia where my surgeon is located, but I live in Orangeburg and that's about 45 minutes away from columbia, and most of my aunts live in Bowman which is about 15 minutes away from Orangeburg. This house is really stressful and I really think this is what brought on my crohn's. I was in college here in Orangeburg, but due to this illness have missed a series of semesters, either from me struggling to work and go to school or keeping the house in working order. It seems that I am the head of the household alot of times, because my stepmom and dad don't get along. On top of this my stepmom's dad stays with us, he done a lot for me as a kid, but now he has been lving with us for the past five to six years due to his wife passing in '02. He is really dependant right now he can barely stand and he goes to dialysis Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. And every morning he goes I bathe him and shaves him plus put on his (clothes with the aide of my stepmom.) She works from 8 to 5 monday through friday, and leaves before transportation comes to pick him up, he is a really big man, He is 6' 3" tall and weighs approx. 215. I have to put the wheel chair on the back legs to roll him down the stairs out our front door and no one is here to help me in the mornings. My stepbro is lazy and my stepmom treats him like a king. I'm really thinking about moving i with my aunt in Bowman for like to weeks after surgery, so I can have somewhere to recoupe properly after surgery., because I know if I come back here they are just going to expect me to comeback and pick up where I left off. My aunt is very welcoming and she is retired now and I know she won't spare no expense on helping me out. In fact my dad and her had a custody battle after my birth mom past in '88. My dad was on drugs and in fact till this day he still does it. I'm just really dperessed, stressed all balled up into one. I feel like no one is here for me, and right now I'm starting to tear again. WOW. This is going to be hard, but I am strong and keeping my faith in the lord. I really just want to leave the house right now, and go to my aunts' or just get out of here and take care of me because I' in a pickle right now I can't get out of. My body is in shambles right now, but for some reason it keeps going, I guess its been getting use to the stress and discomfrt of crohn's and physical exhaustion. Sorry this post is so large, but this is the only way I get my feelings out right now. I have a lot more to say, but I'll stop here for now. What should I do? I REALLY FEEL CLOSER TO GACHRONS, SPOOKYHURST, NANNERS, MAG10, AND A NUMBER OF OTHERS RIGHT NOW, THEN SOME OF MY FAMILY MEMBERS. ITS SAD, AND ALL I DOD FOR THEM.

I didn't want to say anything but if a hernia is little lumps in your inner legs, I don't know if there just little tumors or not but I have three very little lumps in my inner right leg on the side where there going to operate. I'm feeling dehydrated and my mouth is really dry. I stayed up all last night doing my stepmoms, bulletin borad calendars for the nursing home she works for as the activity director, a job that should be mine since I type practically all her stuff. I'm really tired. feel empty inside, since I can't eat large amounts.

Stephx, I was scared and nervous about my surgery this past April too. I think it's more the fear and anxiety of the unknown than anything else. The pain I had after the surgery was much less than the pain I had from the crohn's before the surgery. Two hours is enough time to get to the hospital before the surgery. The main prep is the bowel prep you'll be doing the day before surgery. You'll see when you get to the hospital that the nurses and doctors are very competent and efficient. They know what they're doing. The nurse will start an IV, put some anti-anxiety medication in the IV, and before you know it, you'll be waking up from surgery, NOT in pain because you'll be medicated. I agree with Navy, you should go to your aunt's after surgery. I was told not to lift anything greater than 5 pounds when I got home. I can't remember how long that restriction was for, but you certainly shouldn't be expected to help with your stepmom's dad after surgery. Remember after surgery to take it nice and slow with the food. It takes your body awhile to adjust to its missing parts. Take care Stephx. All will be fine.

Oh pudding... I love pudding, jello's, popsicles...

I like puddings, I can eat the chilled ones or either the kiddy ones you find on cereal isles. I eat yogurt to but I heard that they restrict you from these for awhile afterwards because they contain live cultures. My regular diet consist of a lot of rice, I like different types of rice and chicken. That's the only meat I really eat now besides fish also. Red meats make my stomach upset and causes a 24 hour flare everytime I eat a burger, so when I go out to eat fast food it's usually chicken nuggets and strips. I don't like french fries like I use to either. Raw fruits irritate my stomach alot, but for some reason the diced del monte pears don't bother me, I like yum. My stomach tolerates milk and dairy products with ease, mainly because I was raised on eating cold milk and cereal alot. I can drink milk, eat ice creams and all. I can't eat my favorite anymore which is butter pecan, because of the pecans. I can eat jell-o but not the one with fruits in them. I love capri-suns, yahoos, and sweet teas. What do ya'll recommend for me? My parents are going to be mad if I stay with my aunt but quite frankly, I don't care anymore. I mean I still do as I'm told, I mean the Bible say honor thy father and mother. I mean I don't want to die young, I want a family of my own, I want my own home, but I really want kids in the future I feel that I'll be a good parent, but I've been rethinking this because I don't want my kids to go through what I am right now.

What did ya'lls diet consist of after surgery, I hope the want wait to long before I can have something to sip on, I really can't stand a dry throaght and mouth. I here that chewing spearmint gum afterwards helps with the waking of the bowels, will ask about this before I actually start doing though. I don't want to have any complications, keeping my fingers crossed. How long does it actually take for you to be fully awake with all your wits about you?

Thanks your stories are really helpful. I'm just really in a lot of discomfort right now. My back is stressed from the stricture pressure and I have little spasms of pain the stricture area. Like electrical small shocks. Did any of you have this, the spot is not really giving me any pain just discomfort. Hopefully I can feel the difference immediately after surgery. I have soreness around my inner thighs too, but this is probably from laying in awkward positions righting bulletin board calendars all last night. I'm think I am really going to have a hard time learning to sleep on my back,, because I am a stomach sleeper and side sleeper. I've tried to get in some practice but the stricture just want let me rest in that position its irritating and I have to sleep on that side where it is. I'm just really scared right now.

Hi I slept on my back for a few days and after day 3 I think could do the side thing. I cain't remember now if I had little shock feelings or not. Sounds like you put a busy night in .My teens Dad was down last night so they watched the hockey game and went hunting for a few hours yesterday. I didn't have one spook Friday night .How are you today hope you slept good last night. lol gail

Hi Glad you got some sleep maybe your brain is telling you that the Dr. and nurses will give you some thing to keep you comfortable, which is true. Amazing hoe dreams can seem so real at times. I used to dream I lost a tooth and when I'd wake up I'd be feeling around to make sure my teeth were there. lol gail

Hi So tell me what are your plans after you have your surgery and get to feeling better ? Are you done school now , I guess I mean colleges or whatever? Any plans for continuing education or do you think you will try to find a job ? I guess it will depend on how you are doing. What would you like to do in life besides get married ? Have you a girlfriend now? I bet once your feeling better it won't be long before your ready for one. lol gail

Hello, everyone I am back after spending the day with my birth moms side of the family. I explain to them my situation in full and they understood my situation, and said that they are here for me whatever I decide to do, all six of them are planning on being to the hospital when I go in. But I have been rethinking of having this on my moms death anniversary that really traumatized my mom side of the family and they want me to rethink it if possible. Honestly I have been, and the possibilities of me passing away from this surgery are very slim, just keeping my faith in the lord and reading my Bible. Yeah I have been missing a couple of semesters out of school due to crohn's but I only have like two more semesters before I graduate, may be postponed for a semester or two depends on how I feel after this milestone in my life. Afterwards if I am able I want to move to Atlanta or maybe Orlando or wherever my mind takes me. I'm majoring in computer engineering, and planning on working with programming theme park rides are maybe a prestige computer company as the likes of IBM, Dell, or Microsoft. Planning on acheiving my Master's if possible, all according if crohn's allows but I promise I'm taking all my meds to keep it at bay. I'm currently single but I will be back on the market as soon as I'm back on my feet, my health comes first right now and I'm still young, but I am looking. I'm not such an aggresive guy, I'm real laid back and easy going about things, but I am looking for that significant other, but not right now.

Hi I am very impressed with your computer training. Sounds like a good place to get started in the work field good for you. I am hoping with all the stress and worry you are under that you will go ahead with your surgery so that you can get to the future ,and not be waiting for it to happen anymore. A chance to get things done and I am sure things will be good for you. Glad your Aunts are there for you but I don't think they know how hard you have tried to get to this place where your at now. I got a good chuckle out of your saying you will soon be on the market hope she realizes what a great young man you are. lol gail