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Posted 7/2/2008 10:14 PM (GMT 0)
Quick version-I had my colon removed on 6/17 laprascopically and have a permanent ileostomy.

I was about to be released on 6/22 but vomited following a tray of modified liquids.

A NG tube was inserted and I was NPO the next 5 days.

My Xrays showed that my sbowel was loopy but my stoma contiuned to produce-although it was not terribly thick.

The tube was removed on 6/27 and was sent home on 6/29 on modified clears-ensure and sports drinks.

On 7/1, I was readmitted with blockage in my small bowel (gas) and limited stoma production.

I vomited and a new NG tube was installed.

My surgeon tells me that he can't tell for sure when my bowel will wake but that it will eventually. My family does not want me realease untill I can handle solids.
Posted 7/2/2008 11:10 PM (GMT 0)
oh that sucks for you, i hope you start to feel better soon
Posted 7/3/2008 3:04 AM (GMT 0)
my heart goes out to you. i had a NG tube only for 2 days and that was awful...... how do you handle it being in there that long..doesnt it hurt or gage you. I am so sorry for your having to go thru this.......... I will say a prayer for you.
Posted 7/3/2008 5:05 AM (GMT 0)
Mike,

I'm so sorry you're back in the hospital. Are they doing x-rays or CT scans to see what's going on?

I had a bowel obstruction and an NG tube in for a week back in March, so I feel for you. Mine was caused by scar tissue that had wrapped itself around my small intestine and could only be resolved through surgery.

I hope yours unloops itself soon. Does walking help? I know it's a pain to unhook the NG tube to go for a walk, but it might be worth the effort.

One thing that helped me get through that week was being able to suck on hard candies. Butterscotch tasted so good to me. You might want to ask a family member to bring in a bag of your favorite flavors.

Please keep us posted on how you're doing. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Cecilia
Posted 7/3/2008 10:14 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for everyone's kind thoughts and suggestions. I walk throughout the day/nite. It seems to help me pass the time and keep my mind off the NG. I will ask for hard candy-great suggestion that probably won't hurt me since I am swallowing pints of saliva daily.

i am having daily AB series Xrays-I probably could light the night since I have had at least 15 sets along with 3 CT's and 2 fluro's. I am glad I've had my kids.

Several MD's think my slow to wake bowel is the result of Immodium ten during the 2 weeks prior to surgery.

have asked for a GI consult but the surgeons believe it a surgical issue and have resisted
Posted 7/3/2008 12:06 PM (GMT 0)
Mike,

I wouldn't be surprised if it turns out that imodium is the cause.  Rest assured that this complication from surgery is a common one.  You're doing the right thing by walking; the more you can exercise the sooner that sleepy bowel will awaken.  I will keep you in my thoughts.

Sue

Posted 7/3/2008 1:52 PM (GMT 0)
Update-

I had another AB series showing the loopy small bowel smaller but still larger than normal. The MD removed the NG and has decided that clear liquids are next.

Please keep me in your thougths and prayers-I hope that my body works this time.
Posted 7/3/2008 11:11 PM (GMT 0)
Mikeg999

You'll be in my thoughts...I know how tough that can be but it is best to be in the hospital when you're having complications.  I was scheduled to go home when I had minor complications and the dr's gave me a choice...and my little voice said to stay until I was better...many days later I went home and was able to stay home:)

You'll be there soon, too!!

 

Posted 7/4/2008 12:32 AM (GMT 0)
my son had 1st part of j pouch surgery may 21st.....he has been back in hospital for 11 days with blockage...has ng tube in for a week..he is getting very discouraged...dr's are trying to figure out what is wrong...one thinks scarring..another believes it is a collapse or twisting of small intestine...please help with advice

Posted 7/4/2008 1:14 AM (GMT 0)
The NG tube has been out for 12 hours and I started feeling some presssure increase in my belly. I am not sure whether it is real or imaginary but it worried me. I told my MD and determined it best not to wait 2 or more days for a repeat of the previous 2 episodes of blockage/vomiting/NG tube. He ordered a barium CT scan.

I am waiting for the results but feel preety good considering that the Barium prep is the most dense substance I have ingested post-surgery. It was full strength and not watered down like my last exam.

I feel pretty good right now-just finished listening to a self healing/hypnosis CD (I would normally be quite skeptical about these approaches but I am open TO ALL POSSIBILITIES).
Posted 7/4/2008 1:25 AM (GMT 0)
CWORYHILL,

I decided to become more assertive (not rude) with the medical staff. My surgeon has a wonderful reputation and I believe makes the best decisions possible, yet I think I can best advocate my needs. I have pushed for a GI consult and despite his and everyone's reaction that this is a surgical issue, I finally convinced him to bring in a GI specialist to determine whether my presurgical colitis flare and RX treatment has had a role in my current condition. Also, I am pushing for other approaches that could "stimulate" my small intestine such as all the substances, foods etc. that I once avoided to help avoid stimulating my GI tract.
Posted 7/4/2008 8:43 AM (GMT 0)
Mikeg999 --- caffeine, caffeine, caffeine!!! It's quite a stimulant for me! I usually avoid it, but maybe it would help in this situation.

It's hard to be on the receiving end of the statement - just be patient, but truly you don't want to leave the hospital until all the issues are resolved. Good for you following your gut feeling (no pun intended!) in getting the GI consult. Keep them in the loop - you never know what one dr might overlook and the other one may see. They are human too.

Keep us posted on your progress. Hang in there and keep walking and moving - sometimes rolling from one side to the other while laying in bed is a good way to shift things around, and also a good way to release trapped gas. Shoot, sometimes, I just wanna stand on my head if it would "shift" things around for me!!! Not done that yet, but certainly thought of it.
Posted 7/5/2008 2:13 PM (GMT 0)
Saturday Am Update....

Still progressing to the point where I can now consume clear liquids. My first tray is on its way.

This was the point I reached last week when I finally was able to consume Ensure (with some difficulty). I didn't realize that the difficulty was the sign that things were not going through.

Mike yeah
Posted 7/5/2008 9:58 PM (GMT 0)

How's everything is going with the clear liquids? Isn't it great to have the NG tube out? Hope you get good results from the barium test. Keep us posted.

Cecilia

Posted 7/6/2008 12:50 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks to everyone for your encouragement and support. Day went really well-no problem with the clear liquids. Dinner was carnation instant breakfast, crackers and yoghurt.

It seems my small intestine is now 70% functional, good, but slow output from my stoma. Tomorrow, I move to solids and if no problem, be released on Monday.
Posted 7/6/2008 4:31 AM (GMT 0)
i am praying for you................ Prayers works so well............ God IS the best healer there is.................

You are a strong person to go thru all this and God will give you strength...
My heart goes out to you..............

Posted 7/8/2008 1:57 AM (GMT 0)
Monday Evening Update-

Well my small intestine has finally become active. Yesterday, the gas pain was as bad as any pain I have experienced post-surgery. I thought I was getting obscructed but it turns out just gas.

Had 3 solid meals today with all the accompanying gas pain. I am scheduled to be discharged in the morning.
Posted 7/8/2008 2:02 AM (GMT 0)

Yes Mike, that gas pain can bring you to your knees!  Fortunately it does go away.  The worse is over, now you can get home and concentrate on recovery.

Sue

Posted 7/8/2008 2:50 AM (GMT 0)
the gas is horrible! i remember laying on my couch crying saying, help me, please help me. Try some gas-x, it will help, also it may be hard so soon after surgery but if you can lay on your left side, with your head just a little bit up, it will really help. Another thing that really helps for gas is to pump your legs. YOu may have seen people do this to babies. It might be too hard to do it so soon after surgery, but anytime i get bad gas now, i do that.
Hope you feel better!
Posted 7/8/2008 8:13 PM (GMT 0)
Home at Last!

Discharged this am feeling lots of gas but knowing that it means my small intestine is working. Next step is to regain my strength and life.

Thanks again for listening and your understanding.

Mike
:-)
Posted 7/9/2008 3:59 AM (GMT 0)
So glad you're home!  :-)
Posted 7/13/2008 2:11 AM (GMT 0)
I have been home since Tuesday and it seems like a lifetime ago I was wondering when I would have a functioning small intestine so that I could leave the hospital.

The news is very good, everything is working and I seem able to eat everything that I could when I would be in a colitis flare. For now, now fresh fruits or vegetables and portions are small to avoid taxing my system.

My wife and I celebrated our 31st anniversary on the 10th. Wanted to take her out to Dairy Queen but at the last minute I just had no energy to leave the house. I suppose it will take me a few more weeks to feel my energy return but I know that I am blessed and lucky to be home and CURED of UC.

My weight is still down 15 lbs compared to pre-surgery but up 5 pounds from its low.

Mike
Posted 7/13/2008 2:25 AM (GMT 0)
i am glad your home.......................... congrats..........
i was wondering if you have a ileo. and how is that working for you. Is it hard to get use to. does it hurt at all. and did they have to cut you wide open or lapo... just curious....
i had surgery on the 20 of june and still recovering. doing good though. i had a subtotal colecomy and i have 10 inches left. but i am nervous about eating. so you can eat anything you want to eat now??
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