First Resection Surgery

Looks like I'm joining the group of people who have had resection surgeries.  It's scheduled for Dec 2.  Like everyone that has had to go through this I'm pretty nervous.  The surgeon is supposed to be doing this by laparoscopic , but like everything else won't know for sure until that day if he will have to open me up.  So many things are going through my mind.  Lists, lists and more lists of things I need to make sure are done at work and home.  Things I'm trying to remember to tell my husband and kids so me being off will be easy on them!   If anyone has any advice, tips or just stories they can share to help me along, I would greatly appreciate it.  I've been reading a lot on line but still would like to hear more.  My niece who is a nurse told me some things to expect, but she has never gone through it herself.  Thanks to this forum and all the people who make it what it is!

I've had cd for 40 years with 4 surgeries, all very invasive, full open surgery, no lap stuff for me, if you do have lap, I don't beleive they put ng tube down your throat to your stomach. I beleive only invasive do they use the ng. but if they do, and you wake up with one, beleive me it is one needed peice of aparatus, you have to have that bile pumped out and they will listen for bowel noises, then not until you move bowels before they remove it, usually it's 2-4 days, at my worst I had one for 4 weeks, no water nothing, once in awhile they would give me ice chip to suck on. good luck, it usually gives you remission for a while

Thank you all so much. It helps to talk to people that have gone through it. I will definitely follow your advice and hopefully the healing process will go much smoother. I've been researching and trying to find blogs of people that have had this done. For the most part, everyone has had similar experiences. If nothing else I am looking forward to just resting. I know for myself, just the every day grind of working, taking care of a house, cooking and having kids, it's a wear and tear on me. (I believe I am anemic, so I wouldn't be surprised if I have to have a blood transfusion as I have in the past.) This will give me some time to just relax before getting back into my every day schedule. I will try to update as soon as I can, in case anyone else is going through it for the first time and has worry's or is wondering what to expect. Thanks again, I really appreciate it.

Relax and concentrate on getting well. Your hubby and kids will figure things out. ;-) I tell my hubby "I trained you well, grasshopper!" He doesn't do things the way I would do them but...it gets done and that's all that matters. (there is a great debate in my house about how a towel should be folded at the moment....)

Getting up and moving is a biggie after surgery. Do the best you can. It will help wake up the guts and get the gas out. In case of butt burn, bring some baby wipes to the hospital with you. (ALOE wipes!)

Keep us posted on your progress!

one other little tip, they will make you cough, get your pillow and a pain shot, put that pillow in your stomach and get that crap out of your lungs, it's the anastesia, it likes to settle in lungs, I got a small case of pnumonia because I didn't want to feel the pain of coughing, maybe not with lap but with open surgery, gotta cough that stuff up. walk, walk, walk, walk. an fart,fart,fart. you'll be in gas ward, so nobody cares, if anything the other patients will be jealous if you can cut the cheese. the other patients will be thinking, I wish I could fart like that. only in a cd forum can you discuss this. but you'll do fine and good luck with your new found remission, evan if its for 1 year or 20 years it's worth it. to have our stomach feel normal is a beautiful thing, isn't that pitifal, all we are asking is to be normal

My biggest advice is to REST. I did not feel up to do half the things I thought I would - I really just wanted to sleep and lay around. Your body needs you resting so it can heal itself.

And use the pain meds. ;)

I agree with walking; man, it was miserable and hurt like hell but it's the only way out. The coughing was also painful but again, something you have to do. Use the pain meds, grab a pillow to cushion your tummy, and go for it.

Remember that when you get home, you won't be comatose. Don't kill yourself trying to get instructions to the family on what to do. Just get them through the first days of your surgery and after that, you'll be able to supervise from the couch =)

Good luck!