G20man

When you're able to check in with us, let us know how your surgery went!

Hope all is going well.....

Tom, wishing for a speedy recovery for you.

Tom - you're quite welcome. I was in 7 days for my first colon surgery, the resection and needed 2 pints of blood also. I literally do not remember the first 48 hours, I was a dark grey color I'm told. All I do remember are hushed comments, from nurses and my family. I know they were concerned about me. It wasn't until I received the two blood transfusions that I started to come around. It is a very painful surgery to recover from! I didn't want to scare you but I also wanted to prepare you. And it sounds as if you were more active than I was. All I wanted to do was lie in that bed for 7 days and be left the he** alone. But those pesty nurses would not leave me alone. And thank goodness they didn't! I joked my hospital room should have had a swinging door - they were always checked me for something - the IV (that had to be changed to a new area every several days), the catheder, the two granades (tubes in place at my hips attached to two plastic bottles for drainage), my incision site, then on top of that they took out my gall bladder. So they were checking that incision site. And finally, my stoma (had a temporary ostomy for 8 weeks). I had zero privacy! Absolutely none.

It's funny you'd think I'd want to forget those days, they were 11+ years ago by now but when I read of experiences such as your surgery, it all comes flooding back.

I used to joke with the nurses - if there's a fire, save yourself. I couldn't run from this building to save my life!

But you'll slowly recover from this and your pain will subside. Trust me, it will.

Keep us posted on your progress. Thanks for checking in with us!

Mary/Marsky

Hey you have to find the humor in every situation! The nurses called the small plastic bottles attached to the drainage tubes - grenades. One minute I had relative peace and quiet, the next one would fly into my room, and be at my bedside. Announcing - time to check the output from your grenades! I weakly muttered - my what? lol After they would explain the nickname for them, I'd look at those lovely things attached me and nod my head - yup, they look like grenades alright.

Truthfully their term for them and my term (odd appendages handing from my body, I had turned into an experiment in a bad sci-fi movie) were vastly different!

And now when I hear of a friend or family member having surgery, I rarely if ever visit them in the hospital. Why? Because nowadays when you know someone is admitted overnight they're usually not up to visitors. I never wanted them (other than my husband, children and my late father, oh how I wanted my dad but he had passed away 11 years prior to my cancer). No, I just usually send a get well card and gift card for food/meals or drop off easily eaten meals.

Like you, I was SO glad to be home. Just the word "home" does wonders for your psyche and recovery. You'll likely appreciate the simple, little things about recovering in your own home, compared to that non-stop attention you receive in the hospital.

Take care....

I remember my energy level being low for at least 1 month post-op. Walking was my friend though and we eventually bought a treadmill. Once I was back on my feet again, using the treadmill on a daily basis helped me the most. I'd say you're doing great for 16 days post-op. My appetite was also different after surgeries. I preferred Stouffer frozen meals (the portions are the right amount and they were quite good actually).

Happy you're doing so well! Wishing you continued healing.

We have a Golden and she's 72 pounds. So if were recovering from surgery, I know I wouldn't elect to hold her leash! No way.....good call Tom. In time you'll be able to take her on walks. What type of dog is she?

I remember hobbling. Remember, just putting one foot in front of the other and going ever so slowly at first really does get you on that road to healing. Hard to believe but it works. I remember when I was doing the laps around our nearby school, before we bought the treadmill, teachers I knew were shocked I was walking. I would chuckle and say - hey I want to feel better again! A lot of people think you need - rest. And well you do to an extent but the current medical profession's suggestion of walking is accurate I believe. Most of us who have had major surgery know this first hand. We're like a broken record sometimes - walk, walk, walk. lol

I should clue you in one more of my mind/psyche tricks, I would project forward. I'd give myself little pep talks, in my head of course, in 1 week I'll feel better, 2 weeks, etc. And it does work. It takes your mind off the current date, when you're still in pain and not up to your usual energy level. I still use it in fact when I have bad IBS days. I just tell myself - tomorrow I have to feeling better than this.......time does march on and if you look at it in a positive way, it can lift your spirits.

Wishing you well Tom. Thanks for the time change reminder!

Mary

Tom - this is what major surgery will do to you! It'll knock you flat on your back. I remember when I was awaiting my first colon surgery (the 5 hour procedure, the resection, creation of temp colostomy, gall bladder removal), I had 3 weeks of pre-op tests and visits to an oncologist, etc. One of them asked me - have you had surgery before? I nodded my head - yes, I have. What type? I started reciting - oh two D & C's (female procedure), several oral surgeries and I've delivered two children! Each time I'd mention what I thought was a past "surgery", he would nod his head, as if waiting for the big one. Well I hadn't had the big surgery. So all he muttered was - "this is going to set you back and turn your world upside down."

While I tried to comprehend just what he meant, I chose not to. Because I hadn't had any reference to what he was trying to prepare me for.

A few days post-op (first surgery) I KNEW instantly what he was referring to.

So now when I hear of someone in for major surgery, I have a pretty good idea what they'll feel like post-op.

I should add my second surgery was nothing like my first. That first one just about did me in. And then some.

I also remember hobbling around this house like you describe and hearing my favorite local band were considering reuniting, they hadn't played together in 15 years. I was dying but vowed to my husband had they played that very night, I would have been there, grenades and all. lol He joked - and I'd have pushed you in a wheelchair too! But they reunited 1 year later and as I stood feet from the stage, and danced, I remember thinking - I feel so much better 1 year later!!! Thank goodness they hadn't reunited 2 weeks after my first surgery.

Surgeries like you had will do funny things to your psyche. You'll likely be more aware of others' pain and general health. It's as if you've become a member of an exclusive club - one that you didn't necessarily want to join but you're there whether you like it or not!

Mary

I see our bio's are missing:
Colorectal Cancer Survivor - now experiences daily IBS woes. That's enough for now!

Post Edited (Marsky) : 11/8/2010 5:20:44 AM (GMT-7)

Tom,i'sent u a PM on IBsgroup.