Ostomies - 2 Intestinal Surgeries in 1 week

I'd like to ditto what Ash recommended on keeping him hydrated.  Anti-nausea meds can make you really sleepy and if he is sleeping more than usual, he won't be drinking like he should. 

I also have anti-nausea meds around....just in case.  Once in a great while I'll get headaches similar to migraines and then I start hugging the porcelain.  When that happens it becomes a vicious circle.  So, when I feel the headache starting, I usually take some pain drugs and an anti nausea pill, usually phenergan, and lay down.  I certainly can't take any suppositories to stop the nausea!!!  Vistaril works well for nausea too.

Keep us posted on his progress....

Very true - sometimes I wonder who's running the show!  I guess iced tea depends on the sugar content, etc.  Hey, he seems happy to have a glass or two a day and as far as I'm concerned it's fluid and that's a good thing.  I personally love it!

Hello Donut!   Welcome to HW.com.  It sounds like you have had quite a time of it, but you sound like you are improving.  Good to have you aboard. 

My brother's nausea has now turned into something else.  He's been throwing up what little he ingests over the last 2 days and his temperature has been going up and down.  I wonder if he picked up some sort of flu bug or something from one of us or from being in the ER for 12 hours on Wednesday night.  He's going in for another cat scan this morning but I have no idea how he is supposed to drink the juice when he's been throwing everything up for 2 days.  The surgeon is SO uninvolved and just plain rude when you try to ask questions.  We were hoping that maybe the hospital would admit my brother to help him get some fluids etc. but the surgeon just said "we'll see" and "I'll be around at some point."  We didn't want to drag him back to the ER again last night since that just seems to make things worse.

I am at my wits end...I'm hoping this is just a minor little thing but with everything he has been through I can't help but worry. 

Thank you, that is very nice of you to say!  It's amazing how something like this really makes you appreciate your friends, family, etc.  I'm glad you have a brother that is caring and watching out for you as well.

My brother was re-admitted to the hospital tonight so he can get some fluids, etc.  The ct scan was fine but the tiny hole near the abscess drain is still there.  I've spoken to some family friends who have recommended another surgeon at another hospital.  I think it's time for a second opinion.  It's going on 6 weeks and he just keeps getting worse.  He should be getting somewhat better by now. 

Thank you Ash.  I really appreciate your thoughts and prayers.  I know my brother is not the only one to go through these issues but it seems like everything just keeps going wrong.  The doctors are hooking my brother up to dialysis today since the kidney numbers haven't gone down in a week.  He's extremely nauseous and was dry heaving again all day yesterday which is just making everything worse.  One doctor says nausea/vomiting isn't a symptom of kidney failure...another doctor says it is.  Another doctor ran tests to see if the nausea is being caused by something else but they just can't seem to find any reason.  He is so tired and weak and depressed.  He's been trying to drink as much as possible and his output is fine. 

Hi all.  My brother is on his 2nd day of dialysis.  They are hoping that once his kidneys start flushing the antibiotics that are stuck, he should start to feel better and the nauseau should go away.  He has had a slight fever but it's off an on and it hasn't gone over 100 degrees in a week.  His arms are swollen but they did a scan and found only fluid...no blood clots and no issues with his picc line.  His weight went up about 15-20 pounds so he's obviously got fluid build up. 

We spoke to his primary physician and he reviewed all of the records.  He wasn't thrilled about what was going on but he said it looked like the hospital was doing what they should.  We are keeping him informed and if the dialysis doesn't start working we will work with him to find another hospital if need be.  My brother flipped out the other day and ever since then, they have assigned a patient manager and a doctor to oversee his entire case.  They feel terrible because nothing has gone right from the beginning and it's making the whole hospital look bad. 

Isn't it a shame that you have to mention the word "lawsuit" for someone to finally step up to the plate? 

Thanks for your continued thoughts and prayers.  I hope you all are doing well!  I wish I could return the favor to you Ash, praying4healing and everyone else who has responded...you have been so patient and thoughtful - I'm sure you have enough going on in your own lives.  

Hi gang,

My brother went for an endoscopy since they can't figure out why he is so nauseous and keeps dry heaving.  They didn't find anything so they're going to try another anti-nausea medicine.  He was on Zofran but I think they mentioned Reglin or Ampersol (sp?) The dialysis is working so far but we're waiting to see if the kidneys can function on their own.  He doesn't have any infection which is good...the MRSA is colonized and the tissue seems to be doing ok so far.  He hasn't been able to eat in over two weeks...he's been trying to drink but of course with dialysis you can't drink certain things...gatorade has too many electrolytes, soda causes gas, and he hates drinking water. 

He said his ostomy seems to be shrinking and almost looks like it's going back inside...had that happened to anyone before?  I'm not sure if that's normal.  He is going to check with the surgeon.  The ostomy is still working fine...output is normal which i guess is a good sign.

Just one thing after another!  It's all a waiting game.

I think it's Reglan NOT Reglin.

Correct me if i'm wrong.

Hi Ash,

Thanks for asking!  My brother is finally off dialysis and his kidneys are functioning on their own.  Unfortunately he is still nauseous and dry heaving about every other day.  One dr. thinks he has gastritis which they are giving him nexium for but it isn't helping.  Someone else said it could be the bags of lipids and amino acids mixing with the food he's trying to eat (which is very little at this point).  Yesterday they tried to run a scan to look for gallstones but my brother couldn't finish the test because of a migraine.  We don't know the results yet.  And another dr. said his nausea could be from dilaudid but he only takes about 2 mg a day maximum.  We're meeting with his regular physician today to go over everything including some referral names we got from yale hospital.  Not sure where we go from here!

Thanks Amey!  I too hope we have some success soon.  It's really starting to wear him down.  This board has been extremely helpful and I can't thank everyone enough for their thoughts and prayers. 

Hi Wendy:

I was on TPN for quite a while and it caused me to have weird liver readings and reeked havoc with my blood sugar levels. These things fell into line once I was able to eat normally. I believe there are different formulas they can use for TPN, maybe you can check with the nutritionist to see if there are any alternatives.

You and your brother are in our thoughts and prayers. Keep us posted.

Richard

Hi Wendy,
I've been following the posts as well and can't believe all that your brother has been through and for such a long time. You are getting great support/advise here, the people here truly care when chips are down for others. I'm sure your brother is having a hard time emotionally due to all the complications he has endured. All you can do is be patient with him and be there for him-which we all can see that you have been. I wish that I had a sister that was as devoted as you have been!

To answer your question about TPN-it's a large clear bag that gives your brother nutrients when he is not eating (sometimes has a brown paper cover over it), sometimes they will also hang a white bottle which is fats (or calories per say). I have had both in the past because I was so malnurished and underweight when I had severe flare ups. This will give your brother what he needs to sustain until he is able to eat solid foods.

Is your brother on prednisone?

Will continue to watch for your posts and pray for your brother and your family.

Good Luck

Theresa