My Ileostomy is Tomorrow.

Hi Barbara, i'm sorry to hear David is back in hospital, i couldnt quite believe it when i read your post. Hopefully they will get fluids up and start to see some improvement, fingers x for you both, Gillian x

Barbara,
Does David have a lot of output? If so, it is going to be a challenge for him to stay hydrated. I do not have a lot of output and I have had to have an IV put in twice in the past week b/c of dehydration. The first IV was just 1 liter but that was not enough. A couple days later I had to go to the hospital for 3 days and have another IV put in. Now, I am just trying to maintain my hydration. Have you thought about having a home-care nurse come into your home and administer an IV for David? Indabag, has to have IV's come into his home...isn't that right Richard?

I am sorry David is back where this all started. I am surprised they sent him home in such a dehydrated state. No matter where you are during Christmas, I am glad that you are together.

Kindest Regards,

To answer Amey's question, I do take a liter of IV fluid every day. At first I went to my medical group every week and they would insert an angiocath and I would give myself the IV at home. But, I was getting harder and harder to "stick". The veins in my arms were shot due to my long hospitalizations and the weekly angiocaths. Finally, thet let me get a PICC line and now I don't have to run back to the doctor's office every week. My veins are healthy again. It has been a good but temporary (I hope) situation. But it has definately kept me from going to the ER!

 I have been trying different foods & fluids to see if I can do it without the IV. This is still a work in progress, however. I think my output is way more than most of my ostomates. I do think it is important for David to know that we are all different and his hydration issues can probably be handled more easily (I hope!) than mine. The nephrologist (even though my kidney function is normal) clued me in to how important hydration is, maybe you can get a consult with one.

Either way, it can be dealt with. We are praying for you in New York.

Richard

David and Barbara,

So sorry to hear of the setback, however I am sure that David is feeling much better after the hydration.  Being dehydrated will take away your appetite...  so just keep drinking and trying to eat everything that sounds good to you.

I am away from my home computer, but I will try to check in over the next week as I can.  Please keep us updated.

Hi Barbara,

I just want to let you know that you are not alone as a wife. My husband has a iliostomy for the past 14 years this January. At the time it did change things for the better but we  now have to watch for the disease my husband David has Crohn's Disease for the past 28 years. I've been with David for the past 22 years. Right now David is very sick with Crohn's Disease has really flared up. He has 2 holes in his small bowel and it tunneled it way to the lower back and when you were talking about your husband going to the bathroom in two places was like impossible I know what you are talking about. Because of the fiscula in his small bowel he goes to the bathroom out the 2 holes in his lower back. I hope your husband is doing well and that thing will be getting better for you in 2008. I just join this forum and I've never had talk to a wife of someone with this disease or a iliostomy. Well Happy New Year to both of you and David stay out of the hospital a get well soon.

Take care

Dancepeg