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TOTAL COLECTOMY PART 18

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Posted 4/17/2008 5:54 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Resa, I read your postings last year and had had a total colectomy in Nov. last year. I read that you are doing well now and that is great. I also think it is great that you are still online helping so many people. I ended up being told I had a hernia and went back to my surgeon who said it is common to get one with the surgery I had. So, I went in and found out I had three hernias and then when dc'd from hospital got sick from the pain meds and tore out the inside of the stitches which he has never had happen to him and then had to go back into surgery and was told I had an obstruction with my intenstines being caught up in the mest of the hernia repair and had five kinks in my small intestines and it was a mess. He also took care of alot of adhesions he said I had. Well,  I am back again with the same scar and pain, etc. as last year and it is going slow this time. I am very tired alot and don't have that much energy. I am 48 today so that could be why I am having a harder time right now. I really needed to talk to someone who had problems with all of this stuff and am happy I was able to see you are still online. I never wrote directly to you but was reading your recovery for a very long time with everyone elses. Thanks for reading. Denise (enpointe, as in ballet my display name).

Posted 4/17/2008 11:07 AM (GMT 0)
Enpoint...I am so sorry to hear you had hernias.  What, if any, symptoms did you have?  Did they say why you got them?  I worry constantly that I will do something that will cause the development of a hernia.  Picking up my daughter and doing other stuff soon after surgery...doesn't help matters. 
Posted 4/17/2008 4:42 PM (GMT 0)

MOm- How is your food trying going? I have had bad luck with raw veggies, but can do them in small amounts. I even tried almods the other day and was ok. I have some trouble if I drink too much milk....my problem is I love it and I can drink it like water....it does constipate though for me. I have not taken Miralax still in almost a week. I have noticed that too much fiber may not constipate me, but it does make me have gas pains. Question, do not mean to be gross, but how formed are your stools....mine are pretty normal and I did not think they would be. They vary, but they are a lot better than I thought they would be.

Hope everyone else is well, sourbutsweet.....have you had any results yet? What a waiting game:) Hope you all are well.

P.S. When does your energy come back? I work 13 hr shifts on my feel all day as a nurse and after about 6 hours I am spent.....it takes me a full day to recover.....does anyone else notice this?

Posted 4/17/2008 4:49 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks to everyone for so much information!  I won't be having surgery for a few months, my doctor wants me to have biofeedback and rectocele surgery first.  I do have a question though--many of you have said you would go for 2 or more weeks with a bm?  Is that even if you took laxatives?  I take senokot every 4 or 5 days and usually have luck with it, but have to take more and more to make it work....but it does usually work.  Just wondering if those of you who only went once or twice a month took anything to help you go and it just didn't work.
Posted 4/17/2008 5:45 PM (GMT 0)
Lizzie........................................I have an app. On monday. Hopefully ill have more answers. My doctor is only at the clinic on mondays, so I guess that's why I have to wait so long. Glad to see your still doin good
Posted 4/17/2008 6:52 PM (GMT 0)
Janie:  That is exactly how I was before surgery.  I took Senekot every 4 days.  I would go to the bathroom, it would vary, but I ended having to take more and more...and then some enemas on top of that...I would still have surgery if that is what you are questioning.

Xtreme:  My bowels are normal too!!! I like it that way.  Sometimes they are softer toward the end, but they are normal.  What do raw veggies do to you?  Do they give you gas/constipation or diarrhea?  I have ventured into the whole grains now.  Still eating canned veggies and fruits though.  I haven't been brave enough to try nuts yet.  My stomach is bloated today, and I am thinking it was b/c I took miralax yesterday...that stuff just gives me terrible gas!  I gained a pound...I am wondering if this is water weight...we will see tomorrow morning. 

As far as the tiredness.  I have an 18 mth old so I am running after her all day, I walk 2.5 miles a day in about 25 to 30 minutes and I just sat down after running grocery errands and trying to clean my house b/c we have a showing this evening.  I am tired right now but I know it will really hit me come 6 or 7 when it is time to put my daughter down.  I think it is normal, but I try to keep eating through out the day to keep my energy up.  Have you been taking any vitamins?

Posted 4/17/2008 7:22 PM (GMT 0)
Mom,

Are you a mind reader?? LOL  I'm not really questioning it, but I've lived like this for so long that it's normal for me.  I hate it, but it's become normal.  It sounds like you're doing great, and I'm hoping I'll have the same type of recovery, but I'm much older, so I'm sure your age is definitely in your favor.

The thing I'm most afraid of about surgery is having constant diarrhea afterwards.  Can you imagine?  I can't poop now, but I'm worried about diarrhea!  The thing is, when I take the senna, I'm in the bathroom all evening and when I have to go, I really have to go NOW.  It's ok, because I plan for it, but I'm really hoping I won't have that problem.  Did you ever go through the 8-10 times a day or more stage?  I only work 3 days a week, but my office is so far from a bathroom that it scares me.  Also, we go to dinner often, and travel quite a bit and I'm worried about finding bathrooms in a hurry.  I know this might not even be a problem, but my doctor told me that was a possibility, and it seems at least a couple people here have that problem, so of course that's what I'm sure will happen to me!

Also, how long ago was your surgery?  What are you eating mostly now? How much weight have you lost?  Sorry for the questions; I know alot have been answered, but I can't remember who said what!!  I just know I'm glad you're doing so well!!!

 

Posted 4/17/2008 7:25 PM (GMT 0)
Janiepain- I would go two weeks or more (longest 29 days) with laxatives of all sots and major excess in doeses and not go at all or very little. I would still have the surgery if I was you though :)

Sourbutwsweet- Good luck on Monday I will be praying for you :)

Mom- Raw veggies constipated me the first time, but I am willing to try them again because I am a veggie lover. How is your weight doing???? I hope its improving. I thought the tiredness was normal, but I just feel worthless sometimed for my patients because I am so tired. I started working out last week....walking, pilates, and abs and so far so good. I lost all muscle, but I was not allowed to work out until the 7th of this month because of all my complications ( the drains and working out did not go together and I was too weak). So glad your normal :) I hope it continues. I bet it feels so good to be able to have fun with your baby!!!!

Lizzie

Posted 4/17/2008 7:35 PM (GMT 0)
Janie:  My surgery was exactly a month ago.  The first week I would go to the bathroom maybe 5-8 times, but seriously, it was a little at a time and I know it was just my body adjusting.  When I started to eat, it went from 2 times a day to 1 time a day.  I really don't think you will have a problem.  Well I was light before I had surgery.  I am actually trying to gain weight.  I am up to 90 lbs now...but I am also only 5'1".

Xtreme:  I wanted to mention that I am having this pain right at my belly button today.  I am kind of freaking out...I just hope I didn't herniate something from picking up my daughter.  I am passing gas, so I don't think it is an obstruction again...it just worries me.  Do you know what the signs of a herniation would be?  There isn't a hard knot there or anything, just uncomfortable bruising like pain.  I am waiting to start working on my abs...it is still uncomfortable when I have to make a quick movement or run across the street....I think I am going to get an abdominal binder...someone mentioned that.

Posted 4/18/2008 1:33 PM (GMT 0)

Mom-Most of the time with hernias you can see them, it pops out and is kinds mushy.....but also pain is a major sign. I would just be careful on how much you are lifting....I would reccoment an abdominal binder. I got one and wear it to work. It really helps and gives me support. If I do not wear it I have pain at my incision and sweilling my the end of my long shift. I also have to do lifting at work and even though I work with kids let me tell you......not all are small and kids does not mean baby, I have some 21 year old patients!!!!! I was worried to, but if I wear the binder I usually feel a lot better. Hope your havig a good day and good luck on the continued weight gain.

Lizzie

Posted 4/18/2008 5:09 PM (GMT 0)
Xtreme:  thanks for replying.  yeah, I need to get a binder.  I think I am doing too much or it is just really bad gas...although, I am relieved that I have my check with my surgeon on monday.  I did poop this morning, but as soon as I woke up i had the pain, and it kind of got worse after I went to the bathroom and ate breakfast.  Do you think I have developed a lot of adhesions or something?  I don't know, I think I just need to stop worrying.

 

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