HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Connie (Hep93) - Surgery status?

Support Forums
>
Hepatitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
1 23 4 5
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 6/11/2008 5:05 AM (GMT 0)

Thanks, JoAnn.  You are a sweetheart.  When I had my first hip replacement, I looked for various types of assistance and could find nothing whatsoever in this city.  The only thing I was able to get (while I was in a wheelchair) was Meals on Wheels.  However, there is nothing availble in terms of shopping services or household help.  I have to pay for every bit of help I get.  I am thankful for the van, which is a door-to-door service at a low fee--however, trips have to be planned 24 hours in advance and cannot be changed at the last minute.  Wherever they take me, I have to stay there at least an hour...so I can't take it to the bank and then get back on 10 min. later.  Those are the trips for which my neighbor's help was greatly appreciated (even though I paid her.)

Hugs,

Connie

Posted 6/11/2008 11:16 PM (GMT 0)

Thanks, PinkGrandma.

Well, the ostomy bag stopped draining late last night, as the hole had healed over.  I called the surgeon's office this morning to report this, and was called back and told that a new drain would be placed after my CT scan at 2 PM today, which was done.  This drain is a bulb type and the tubing is narrow and short, so it will be possible to wear shorts and pants with it...just a looser top.  The interventional radiologist came into the CT scan room to do this procedure.  He was gorgeous!  Young, and looked like Jon Bon Jovi!  Yum!  Of course, I pretended not to notice.  He had a beautiful, white-toothed smile, and a good bedside manner.  Gah!  That's the first time I've ever been awake for drain placement.  He gave me some injections of Lidocaine before doing the work, but I could still feel sharp, pinching pain when he threaded the tube in and when he stitched the tube down.  This is much better than the first drain or the ostomy bag.

I go back for follow-up with the surgeon next Tues.  My Lasix was increased from 20 mg to 40 and the Aldactone from 25 mg to 100.

That's it from me.

Hugs,

Connie

Posted 6/12/2008 3:08 AM (GMT 0)
YUM! Can he be Terry's interventional radiologist, Connie?!!!
Doesn't hurt to look. Terry always talks with the pretty young nurses. He confusses them so much sometimes with his joking.

Carol
Posted 6/12/2008 5:26 AM (GMT 0)

Carol, get your own!  I'm keeping this one for myself!  LOL!  ;)

Forgot to mention that he drew out numerous 60cc syringes of fluid prior to sending me home.  Said he was giving me a head start.  My midriff hasn't been this flat in years, now that the fluid is draining properly, and the surgeon apparently listened to me when I told him to "sew me up tight" so I could get a little mini tummy tuck out of all this pain!

Hugs,

Connie

Posted 6/12/2008 2:36 PM (GMT 0)

Connie

That is good thinking.  A mini tummy tuck!  Keep me posted on your mini tummy tuck.  Jerry's hernia's are horrible.  I know he looks forward to the day when he can get them fixed.  They said it will get done when he gets the transplant.  What I'm wondering why yours keeps coming back.  Do you know?  As far as your "Cutie Pie"  He can probably make you get through this painful time much easier! Hang in there.

JoAnn

Posted 6/13/2008 4:05 AM (GMT 0)

JoAnn, the initial hernia was caused (I believe) by the fact that I had zero muscle tone, having not exercised in years.  The hernia only came back once.  I believe it's because he used an organic mesh...a natural substance...that just didn't hold up.  Also, I was lifting my cats onto the bed when I shouldn't have been...especially the 20-lb. one.  So I think it was a combination of the substance used and my not being cautious enough.  This time, he used a standard mesh (have forgotten the name...Gortex, maybe?), a larger piece, and possibly 2 pieces, one floating above the other.  I know I have a larger incision than from the previous hernia repair.  This time he cut me horizontally as well as vertically, to accommodate the larger mesh pieces.  Hopefully, this will hold.  I'm trying to be very careful.  Forgot at the grocery store today and lifted a 10-lb. bag of kitty litter onto the conveyer belt at checkout.  The doc who placed the drain yesterday put it up higher, so it's too uncomfortable to wear the abdominal binder, much less the waist cincher.  All the more reason that I need to be very mindful of what I'm doing.  I am really SORE from the drain placement yesterday!

Hugs,

Connie


Post Edited (hep93) : 6/12/2008 10:09:02 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/13/2008 4:20 AM (GMT 0)

Connie I am surprised you dont have a grocery service. We have pea pod online ordering and they deliver right to your kitchen. Without them we would be stuck. I have severe anxiety attacks in grocery stores and some dept stores. I get real ugly... my kids wont even admit they know me LOL

Sue

Posted 6/13/2008 10:28 PM (GMT 0)

Sue, unfortunately there is no grocery delivery in Jacksonville, FL.  There is only one place that delivers prescriptions.  For a large city, they are very small-town in their thinking.

Hugs,

Connie

Posted 6/16/2008 9:40 PM (GMT 0)

Just an update: The new drain that was placed last Wed. has stopped up.  mad   It slowed down over the weekend, and by last night had stopped draining entirely.  I have a huge pocket of fluid in my midriff now.  This time, I decided to just leave it alone, as I have an appt. tomorrow for surgery follow-up.  I will see what they want to do, but I suspect they'll want to reinsert the drain since there is so much fluid.  It's hard to believe that it's been 18 days since the last surgery, and I'm still dealing with drain problems!  Increasing the Lasix and Aldactone hasn't done a thing...except that my ankles and legs are not swollen.  Thank God for small favors, I guess.  sad

C.

Posted 6/17/2008 11:36 PM (GMT 0)

Well, I ended up pulling the drain last night, since I was feeling uncomfortable.  I had quite a bit of drainage when I took the tubing out, but that didn't last long.  The hole closed up.  I called the P.A. this morning to give her a heads-up on what was happening.  When I went in to see her this afternoon, she said the doc was in surgery, but that he had ordered an increase in my diuretics.  So now it's 60 mg of Lasix and 200 mg of Aldactone.  They want to see how I do in the coming week, and she will call me on Mon.

I couldn't believe I lost 5 lbs. in the past week.  I think it must be water weight.  Whatever it is, I'm happy about it!  Also happy that I did not have to endure another drain placement right now. 

ETA:  I had thought that Peapod was a grocery store...Sue, I think you're the one who mentioned this...but I just found out that they have a web site and you order from that.  Unfortunately, they are not active in my area, though.  eyes Hugs,

Connie


Post Edited (hep93) : 6/17/2008 5:54:54 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/18/2008 1:01 AM (GMT 0)

Connie, hi,

I hate that helpless, dependent feeling.  I feel abandoned, alone, and rejected.  How do you mentally cope?

On a more positive note, have you tried community services like through a house of worship, or a local county service (the names would vary, of course, with location).  If you had some money, you could also maybe advertise in your local paper/on line for a helper.  You may have already tried these things, but I'm trying to help somehow.... I'd help you physically, too, if you were my neighbor yeah

Pix

Posted 6/18/2008 2:31 AM (GMT 0)

connie, bummer i thought it was in your area. I tell ya if it wasnt for them he would starve cause I draw the line at the market. I will clean any mess as long as I dont have to shop. That to me is the worst thing to do. I cringe thinking about it. My local market said in a pinch i can drop off a list they will do the shopping and I just come in pay and leave, not cause they like me they LOVE my hubby. I was actually escorted out of there once...dont ask long story LOL.

Sue devil

Posted 6/18/2008 2:58 AM (GMT 0)

Sue  What is this grocery delivery company.  My daughter used to use one in Seattle and she loved it.  She said their produce was the freshest she had ever bought.  I need to check on it because I hate grocery shopping.  Actually I don't like to shope for ANYTHING.  I just never could understand people walking around looking for things.  Not anything in perticular just looking.  I know I'm strange.  If I need somthing I will go buy it but not look through racks of clothes and thinks like that.  I always think how much money I would have if I didn't eat. I want to know why you got escorted out of the Market??? 

JoAnn

Posted 6/18/2008 3:19 AM (GMT 0)
Sue me too! Ya gotta tell us....we'll be awake all night trying to figure it out. Betcha it was funnier than heck.

And it there a link between caregiving and not liking shopping? I still hate to shop. Get in and get out is my motto.

Good night everyone.........sleep tight and don't let the bed bugs bite or anything else either..........
Posted 6/18/2008 6:45 AM (GMT 0)

Pix, I don't really have those feelings.  I've lived alone most of my adult life (except for about 8 yrs. or so) and really prefer it.  I do have a problem with accepting and asking for help, but have become better at it since I absolutely have to have help in certain areas.  Since I pay for it, it's not so bad as if I were asking for favors.

Sue, I don't mind shopping.  I usually spend about 2 hours in the grocery store, as I check prices on everything, see what I can use coupons on, etc.  The only problem is in getting the groceries upstairs.  I have told my neighbor/helper that I can get to the store on my own using the van service, and then call her when I'm ready to leave.  For some odd reason, she doesn't want to do this.  So now, I'm trying to give her part of the list to shop with, instead of just following me around like a puppy dog.  I let her do the shopping for me the first week I was home after surgery, and she screwed up on a few key items...so I'd rather do the actual shopping myself.

When I had the hip replacements, I tried to get some kind of services from churches and that didn't pan out.  Anything else that is available, I wouldn't qualify for as I'm ambulatory.  The ambulance wouldn't even come pick me up at the ER and take me home, although they did do that when my hips were an issue.  Last night on the news there was a feature on several cleaning services in the area that are offering free cleaning service for those with cancer, especially breast cancer.  However, since I no longer have cancer, I doubt I'd qualify for that, either.

My helper/neighbor said that if she does move next month that she could still come help me with shopping and other trips on her days off.  So that's good to know.  With the price of gas these days, she may change her mind about that, though.

Sue, I also am curious about your being escorted out of the store.  I've been barred from some drinking establishments in my drunk years, but never a store.  C'mon, spill!  I told y'all about my nudity faux pas!

Hugs,

Connie

Posted 6/18/2008 3:05 PM (GMT 0)
Connie, I wish I could have your attitude about needing help. I always feel so jealous of others' health, and angry that others can get help from family (like spouses) without having to beg or pay. Do you have any words of wisdom for me?
Posted 6/18/2008 10:33 PM (GMT 0)

So okay here it goes... you have to remember this was before I discovered the wonders of legal drugs (Paxil). I was (still kind of am) a bit of a hot head. I spent the entire day at a parade on our waterfront, of course as a responsible adult did not use sunblock, not pretty..:(  Later that day I had to go to the market walking was very difficult as my legs were roughly 2x the normal so waddleing is a better description. All I wanted was some decent, not awesome, just decent customer service. Guess that was just not happening and I decided to take my swollen, blistered and red body to the service desk and ask to speak to a manager. The woman called a manger who mind you is one floor up looking over his empire "THE SUPERMARKET" , doesnt he just say I AM BUSY tell her to call back later. Well right about then my brain decided to take a lunch break from decent behavior in a public place. I informed the woman to call him back NOW adn TELL him as a consumer I need to come down NOW to address a customer service issue. Not happening the womans face turns red as she informs me he is BUSY. So okay now my brain is not just on lunch it has gone out to DINNER adn I proceeded to yell up to his perch demanding he grow "something he was lacking" and come down! Nope he isnt budging as a crowd gathers and i proceed to refer to his lack of shall we say masculiniity etc etc... It took about 15 minutes before help arrived and informed me to leave or join them at the local Police Station, hhhmm I did think of the police station as a possibility it has A/C !! After a few more parting shots I was banned from the local market I did give in and go home I had to at least try to return to adulthood, which can be boring. See not as funny as you may have thought. My kids dont let me forget, they will not take me to the market either. Last time I went with them they escorted me out made me wait in the car, works for me. So PEAPOD is a dream come true!

SUE

Posted 6/19/2008 1:54 AM (GMT 0)

Sue, that's funny!  LOL!  I'm sure it wasn't funny to you at the time.  Glad you told the manager off.  I would probably have gone beyond that and found out who HIS boss was...or just get an address for the president of the company, and let it be known on paper that their customer service stinks!

Pix, all I can tell you is to accept the things you cannot change, have courage to change the things you can, and the wisdom to know the difference.  Some of the things you cannot change are other people and their attitudes or the family you are born into.  What you CAN change is your own perspective and attitude.  Ongoing anger is a waste of energy...and the people who anger you couldn't care less.

Hugs,

Connie

Posted 6/19/2008 5:31 AM (GMT 0)
Hey, we have a new Piggly Wiggly here at the beach. It is the first one of its kind. Very shopper friendly. They don't keep changing everything around to where you can't find anything and it is designed to help you shop more effienctly.
You can also do your shopping online and they will have it all ready for you when you come in to pay. They put it in your car and off you go. I haven't shopped online yet, but I do like to go in and look around. They even have full meals ready or you can pick up all the prepared ingredients and cook it yourself. Not sure I'm explaining that one right, but you don't have to go around shopping for the ingredients needed for a full meal. Check it out online-Piggly Wiggly at the new Market Common in Myrtle Beach, SC. Something different to look at anyway.  www.thepig.net  click'n shop link  tongue

Carol
Posted 6/19/2008 10:32 PM (GMT 0)

Carol, no Piggly Wiggly here, but that sounds neat.  The only thing is...I like to SEE the vegetables, fruit, etc., so I can select what's ripest, freshest, etc.  I did grocery shopping today and got a ton of fruit.  My neighborhood Winn-Dixie remodeled a couple of weeks ago, and I'm just now figuring out where things are.  It really makes no sense to me how they have things set up.  They now have artisan breads, unusual vegetables (purple califlower anyone?), fancy desserts, etc.  I think they are going to lose money, as this is not an upscale neighborhood.  All of their prices have jumped, too.  It's just unreal what groceries are costing these days, and it's at all stores.

There's only a slight change in the acites since they increased the diuretics.  I'm wondering if they will just drain me next Tues. with a syringe, without inserting a new drain.

Hugs,

Connie

Posted 6/20/2008 8:14 PM (GMT 0)
Connie /Sue
I am so with you on the cost of grocerys. I went shopping recently and found the price of milk to be outrageous. We have discussed if it would be cheaper to buy a cow instead of cheeses and milk at the store. Unfortunately I like in a city and I am not sure about having cows as pets. My favorite Krogers store here also recently remodeled. I think it is a plot just to keep you in there longer so you will buy more because I found myself going back up and down the aisles over and over again trying to find just the basics. After my third or forth lap around the store seeing bbq grills and tail gate chairs I finally found the much needed toilet paper. When I got to the checkout they checker had the nerve to ask if I found things alright. I can certainly relate to Sue at that point but all my energy was totally gone after the marathon I had just pariticapated in so all I could muster was "Are you totally insane no one can find anything in here anymore". So I am totally envious of Sue energy level and spunk.

Good luck at your appointment next Tues. Will keep my fingers crossed and positive energy going for you that you will not have to get another drain. They have given you so many problems.

Lucy
Posted 6/20/2008 8:52 PM (GMT 0)

"I am not sure about having cows as pets."

LOL!  Thanks for giving me my laugh for the day, Lucy!  And thanks for the good thoughts.  I was up and down peeing last night, so feel exhausted today.  I've probably lost another 5 lbs.  eyes    The pocket of fluid has gone down a little, but nothing significant.  confused

The price of groceries is reflected in the fact that I'm coming up short in money this month.  That hasn't happened in a long time.  So I know the only thing that has changed is grocery costs, as I haven't bought anything or had any extra expenses, except for that $18 cab ride home from the ER.  I'm going to have to go into my IRS money (that I was saving towards a new bed), just to get through until my next SS check.  sad

Hugs,

Connie

Posted 6/21/2008 5:04 AM (GMT 0)
Hi All, hhmm groceries, this is my biggest thorn! I find now i try to buy bulk cook a bunch then everything goes in zipper bags. Dinner becomes whatever I grab from freezer. You might get the same thing 2 days in a row might not its my new game. Sometimes he is so loopy he dont notice antway. LOL yesterday he was so proud he got dressed by himself and walked out to my garden where I was chillin. My youngest daughter and I were filling pots with plant. He says " I am having a good day look I got dressed" . It was hard to keep a straight face, shorts were twisted shirt inside out and back words.... shoes on the wrong feet...LOL when he looked down and realized why we were grinning his response was " IM NOT NAKED so that counts right?

Today he was out of it all day which was tough for him was he cleared up cause I didnt go to dinner for my B-Day with my girls. To me dinner can be anyday. HHHHmmmm that means I add another gift to my list LOL

Sue

Posted 6/21/2008 5:49 AM (GMT 0)
Hi y'all,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SUE!!! How young are you? (I couldn't resist)

I'm so glad that we can all laugh about the crazy days, even the ones that are suffering.
As bad as he feels,Terry tries his best to cheer up my mom and that is not easy to do. The caregiver I hired today told me to say anything to Mom to get her mind off her breathing fits and she will calm down sooner and her breathing will return to her normal.
I think that when she is around us longer, she will see the humor in our ways. She has been miserable for a long time.
By the way Connie, Mom still won't take a bath. I'm going to work on that this week-end though.

Carol
Posted 6/21/2008 7:26 AM (GMT 0)
Carol, I havent decided how old I am yet! Trying to pick an age this year that I like, as long as people dont know how old my girls are I try to deduct a few years LOL :) It is getting harder to lie as my oldest daughter has 6yrs left in the navy and she retires eeewww see that makes me feel OLD. It seems just yesterday she was a loud bossy pushy and rebellious young person....... oh wait she is still that just older. She does go to work on time so the military did do something for her, of course thats the only thing shes on time for lol.
SUE
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
12345