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TOTAL COLECTOMY PART 29

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Posted 12/16/2009 9:20 PM (GMT 0)

YEAH!!!!!!!! Jenise!!!! SOOOOOOO happy for you!!! and the pooping!!!! I am glad you are feeling better and spirits are better and now you have your doctor there to make sure your good before you go home and get to the real healing. I am SOOOOOO very happy for you.!!!! I could cry....

I am starting to get distended. I have only had a hanful of cereal this am amd some gatorade, but today is day two of no laxatives. I finally just called my pcp to find out if my test had even been approved and the frickin lady who does the referrals FORGOT!!!!! and I called her on my way home from Cleveland last Thursday. She is trying from home now to submit it for the consult and test. So right now I have no coverage!!!!! I am so frustrated!!!

Lizzie

Posted 12/16/2009 10:05 PM (GMT 0)
Jenise - One thing to consider, MOM is concentrated saline (aka: SALT). It burns, burns, burns your bum. It is like pouring alcohol on a wound. OUCH. The Miralax does not burn. Once you get the MOM out of your system, your bum should feel better. For now, DO NOT let your bowels touch your skin. Take as much butt balm as you can and cake it on your butt! I had the nurse bring me the disposable underware that they have at the hospital so I would not get my clothes covered in medicine. Then I took a bunch of gloves from the hospital and cut off the little fingers off. I used each individulal finger to apply the medicine to my butt. When I got home, I went to Walmart and bought lots of white panties that I could bleach. If the butt burn gets too bad, ask the dr to call you in some Lidocaine from the pharmacy. Jose called me in 5 tubes and it was a GOD SEND! Plus, your insurance will cover it while you are there.

I cannot express to you how happy I am for you...happy, happy, happy. I beg the Lord in the my morning prayers to help you poop and watch over our sweet Lizzy as she is trying to stay laxative free for her test.
Posted 12/16/2009 10:40 PM (GMT 0)
Amey, I love you sweetie! Thanks for the advise, I've been poo'ing all afternoon and I'm so sore!!! I will ask for the Lidocaine and I slop on what they gave me for now. Thanks for all your prayers.. I'm using the mesh undies the hospital supplies, I'm going to ask for more and take some gloves.. that's a great tip!

Oh, our sweet Lizzie! This is not the news you needed to hear about your insurance approval! I hope the lady did her job and got this going through the process of approval. Sorry you suffer so.. I just can't imagine.

I really love each and everyone of you. Jen, Rosemary, Tracy, Janie, Judy, Marisa, Hodaya, Christy and the rest of you. You've been the greatest support system. I do wish we could all meet someday.
Posted 12/16/2009 10:50 PM (GMT 0)
Lizzi,

I don't want to get on your nerves..but I honestly believe that the smart pill is too dangerous for people with motility problems and especially in your situation when nobody can tell what is going on in your digestive tract, if there is astricture, a mechanical obstrcution or a motility problem that all may be fatal in combination with the smart pill.

The smart pill is particularly useful in people whose mucosa has to be examined for inflammation etc and for anatomical problems but it is not th best test to determine functional problems.

I would ask for a small bowel manometry since this is the test that is most accuarte and provides exact infos on the function of your small bowel and stomach during fasting and AFTER eating.
Posted 12/16/2009 11:03 PM (GMT 0)
here is a link of CC that describes severe dysmotility of the small bowel resembling obstruction in the absence of a mechanical cause and how it is diagnosed..small bowel manometry and x-rays.

http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/intestinal_pseudo_obstruction/dd_overview.aspx

This is the condition I have and it presents differently in different people since symptoms depennds on severity and areas and parts of the intestine that are (most) affected.
Posted 12/16/2009 11:23 PM (GMT 0)

I am in tears...

I do not even know what to do....my pcp referral lady called and my insurance called CC and they said I have NO appt for tomorrow. I immediately called CC in tears as I have a paper with the date and time of appt and have spoken to the smart pill nurses on the prep. They said the Dr Marrero is there and that he does have openings, but they will not commit an appt until they here from my insurance. Of course I found out she never did the referral at 3 om and now everyone in CC and here is gone for the day. I was supposed to leave at 8 am as it is a five hr drive and now I have to make a million phone calls to try and get this approved by 830 am and as it sounded they are not going to approve the smart pill. CC said they have funding, but here I am in pain, distended, not eating and waiting to see if I can even get an appt. I was crying so hard I just do not know what to do or who is going to help me.

Peltz...I fear this test as well and I expressed my concern to CC and I do not think they understand just how sick I have been. I will ask for the small bowel manometry and see what they say...IF i get an appt. If not, this doctor is not available until after the new year and I do not know what will happen in the meantime. I just do not know what to do.....i feel so hopeless....

Lizzie

Posted 12/17/2009 12:02 AM (GMT 0)
YEAH JENISE........!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So what was I right about? That you still had all that poop in you and they should have had you do a prep?

I cannot imagine surgeons doing colon surgery on a colon full of poop; it just blows my mind.

Anyway, did he disimpact you by doing the warm water enemas then sort of doing a rectal exam type extraction? Or did they suction it out with a scope?

How did he do It? Been thinking of you all day.

SOOOOOOOOOOOOO HAPPY FOR YOU!!! Rosemary
Posted 12/17/2009 12:17 AM (GMT 0)
LIZZIE,

You have been given a sign! Read it! I had little things come up prior to my disaster 2006 surgery that I thought were going to "get in my way of having that surgery." GOD HOW I WISHED I HAD GONE WITH THOSE LITTLE SIGNS. I ALMOST DIED BECAUSE I DIDN'T READ THE SIGNS AND STILL MAY.

I TOTALLY agree with Peltz, I think this camera pill could be dangerous for you. Take the insurance mix-up as a sign. Do ask instead for the small bowel manometry Peltz is speaking of. Those cameras can get stuck in people's small intestines. Just tell them your (well founded) fear of this test, tell them why, and ask for the small bowel manometry.

Praying for you. You are in the situation I was trying to get my life saved from severe damage of the 2006 surgery. I had no disease. You don't either; no Chrone's, no Colitis, no Cancer, yet you are in a very precarious position and are severely weakened. Use every ounce of energy you have to get forceful rather than scared. So easier said than done, I know, I've been where you are. YOU WILL GET THROUGH THIS.

Then we have all GOT to meet and go on some talk show and EDUCATE the medical community and other interested parties. Good luck, Rosemary
Posted 12/17/2009 12:30 AM (GMT 0)
turn Jenise, I am sooooo happy you finally pooped. I have checked the sight several times a day just waiting and hoping you could poop. Even my husband asked me, "well, did she poop yet?" I am impressed with how well you are doing. Now I don't feel so scared about my possible surgery.

 As far as getting impacted....that is not a problem for me because I manually disimpact every bm....my problem is getting it to the rectum in the 1st place. UGH, it is an exhausting and nasty routine. The miralax helps to get the poop moving, then I have to use suppositories to stimulate the rectum to even get the poop near the rectum. I then have to insert my finger into the rectum to help the poop out cause my rectum does not work at all.

It takes so much of my time! Like tonight, I got off work at 5:30pm....took the girls to church....came home to eat dinner...now I am in the bathroom typing this post waiting and hoping something happens before I need to leave at 7:45 to go back and get the girls because I need to come home and go to sleep because my day starts at 4:45am and I am exhausted. I already rushed home between my routes today to try and have a bm because my stomach was hurting so bad and bloated that I had to leave my pants unbuttoned! UGH and that little trip produced a tiny amount of poop, less than a teaspoon! But unbelievably, that tiny amount gave me tremendous relief. Isn't that so weird? 

 I know I must have tons of poop just stacked up in my colon, but it does not matter how much laxatives I take because my colon will not release it until it is too full. And then it takes days  and hours and hours to get it out. I keep wishing I will have an explosion one day because no matter how watery I make my poop, it still will not come out without a major fight. My husband talks about having poop shoot out his butt.

And I am so jealous. blush Nothing ever shoots out of mine. It takes major pushing just to fart a teeny tiny fart! smhair And I am so happy just to fart a little fart.

OK, enough about me !!!!

Lizzie, I am sooooooooo sorry! I don't know what to say to help you through this! It reminds me of what poor Rosemary went through...sick as a dog with no help in sight. I am hoping that CC helps you and soon because nobody needs to suffer like you are. Can you schedule to have another ileostomy? because that has to be better than having to take tons of MOM...if I took as much of MOM as you take I would barf too. EWWWW Too much laxatives makes me soooo nauseas and just sick feeling! I can barely move if I take too much laxatives!

Okay, I am off. Hope everyone is well. Sorry I haven't posted, but I have been reading everyday.

Tracysmilewinkgrin

Posted 12/17/2009 1:36 AM (GMT 0)
Jenise!!!

Happy happy pooping day. I know exactly what you mean about your whole attitude changing when you finally pooped....and how the rectal pain can make you miserable. I'm so happy for you; hopefully you can get home soon and continue pooping. Amey is so right about the MOM burning your butt; even prune juice burned mine. Miralax is so much better!

Lizzie,
I wish I could just reach out and give you a big hug. I've been following your story for ages it seems, and you continue to have so many issues. If CC can't help you, I would take Rosemary's advice and try to see her doctor. There has to be someone out there who can help you. I feel so bad for you, and I can't imagine taking so much MOM. I would be sick to my stomach, too. Can you take miralax? (I know it sounds like I'm a walking advertisement for miralax!)

Tracy,
Your life sounds so stressful. I used to be alot like you, but at least massive doses of senokot would usually make me go. On the occasions that it wouldn't though, I was like a crazed woman. I would panic if I had to work the next day because I'd be miserable and I wouldn't be able to take any more laxatives until the next evening....it was horrible. I hope and pray I never have to deal with that again.

Hugs to everyone, off to babysit my little grandbaby tomorrow. I have her on Thursdays, and Thursdays are my favorite day of the week!

Janie
Posted 12/17/2009 2:19 AM (GMT 0)
Rosemary, yes.. in my case I needed the bowel prep. The stool that was still in my colon were already like golf balls, and drifted and piled up into a mass in my rectum. The doctor digitally dug them all out.. it took him at least 10 minutes of breaking it up and pulling these large masses out. The room stunk!! LOL I felt immediate relief of the rectal pressure.

Lizzie, I have to say I agree with Rosemary... maybe this is a sign? What about a visit to Rosemary's doctor's.. it could possible give you your life back.

Tracy, you poor girl! I really feel so much better then I expected.. physically. I really am clueless how my bowels will end up working as I took so much MOM and I'm on Miralax around the clock 3 times a day... once I get home and get the MOM out - I'll know more. Right now I've poo'ed maybe about 20 times! I laughed out loud when you said even your hubby asked if I poo'ed yet!! LOL Honestly.. my scaral colpopexy was harder.. it knocked me for a loop, however, the first 3 days of this surgery was more painful.. but maybe because it was open and not lap.

Janie, my doctor too agrees with you about MiraLax. That rectal pain was just awful! It actually hurt when I sat down... must have put pressure on the whole rectum. It was just awful, and I really feel like a new women today Enjoy that sweet grandbaby!

I must have missed my doctor tonight, and I didn't get the lotion I so need. My bum is on fire! I feel totally great.. my bowels are really wake.. making more noise then ever. I can feel things moving! I had so much cramping, now I know it was due to the impaction, and that is gone as well as a big lump I had in my lower left side. I do hope no damage was done to the anastomosis site... I've read that the pressure build up could have. I'm just going to think positive.
Posted 12/17/2009 3:30 AM (GMT 0)
Yes Jenise,

Think positive. Pressure is not good for an anastomosis, but if you stay OK after all that I figure the anastomosis could take it.

That is why I think anyone else having colon surgery should do a prep.

Sooooo glad you are straightened out. Live on Miralax if you have to. That is what I should have done. I went fine on my own only many trips to bathroom every single am and a BIG pile of poop in the toilet every am, but took 2-4 hours. Miralax greatly eased rectal emptying but created more trips and sent me even more many full trips. But hey, I could have just gone to working part time afternoons.

Anyway, so glad you are doing so well.

Did they tell you how far up your anastomosis is? Mine is only 10 cm up from the anus. That is very low and is one thing I did not consent to. Low ones tend to stricture more than higher ones, plus all the other procedures they did that I didn't need on review of my case and I didn't consent to added to the scarring. Though I didn't have the loopy sigmoid anyway, but if I had, I think the anastomosis would have been higher and I would have kept my whole rectum.

Have a great sleep tonight. Rosemary
Posted 12/17/2009 3:51 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Amey,

I know about the butt burn and I have used Desinex to control that problem. I don't understand though why you put on gloves if you then cut off the fingers to apply the cream. Can you please explain? Also, and this is a question for everyone - if this is an "Ostomy" Site, does that mean that everyone who posts here has had an Ostomy at one time? I think many of you have had a sub-total colectomy but yet you post on the Ostomy site. Can someone please explain?

Thanks,
Gilda
Posted 12/17/2009 4:01 AM (GMT 0)
One other thing I wanted to ask everyone: does it ever get any better? Sorry to be a downer but I had my sub-total colectomy 9 months ago and I still feel pretty awful a lot of the time. Granted, I can now have bowel movements, which I am thankful for - so I don't often get the pain of constipation. My problem now is - I either have to use the BR 8-15 times a day with burning diarrhea or - I take 3 Lomotils or liquid immodium plus 1 vicodin or 1 percocet so the diarrhea will stop - then I later experience the pain of constipation for hours! My surgeon called this surgery a sub-total colectomy with ileo-sigmoid anastamosis. Later though, he told me I just have the tiniest little bit of colon left so really it is more of a small intestine to rectal connection. I think this is why I can't seem to regulate my bowels at all. Does anyone have any suggestions? I am getting sooo discouraged!

Thanks again,
Gilda
Posted 12/17/2009 4:05 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Gilda,

Welcome! Have you tried bananas, apple sauce, rice, and toast. These tend to thicken and slow poop from the small intestine which is basically what you are dealing with. These thicken and slow but do not constipate as long as you are drinking enough fluid. Rosemary
Posted 12/17/2009 7:19 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Rosemary,

Thanks for your suggestions and yes I have tried all of the above (except for applesauce). What is so weird is one day certain foods will seem to help and I have somewhat formed stools and then the next day; everything goes crazy and I have severe diarrhea! It all gets so difficult to deal with sometimes! I guess that's why we all need to keep helping each other with encouragement and suggestions. I am so glad that I found this website.

Gilda
Posted 12/17/2009 3:39 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Gilda,

I WISH I'd Found this site in 2006. I had incomplete rectal emptying and had a defecogram.. It said I had a sigmoidocele and 3 colorectal surgeons told me my sigmoid colon was blocking off the top of my rectum. They said I needed the sigmoid colon removed. Unknown to me at the time, the defecogram was read incorrectly. What it showed was just an enterocele, loop of small intestine that descended into the rectovaginal space only on the push phase of that image test but only after the contrast in my rectum had passed so this was not even the cause of my problem. I also was not told of FUNCTIONAL testing that should have been done: SItzmark test, anorectal manometry, pudental nerve latency tests, balloon expulsion test to detect non-surgical issues. I did not know of these and did not know to ask. I had an incidental large benign right ovarian cyst that COULD have just been drained I later found out. The surgeons I went to: removed my sigmoid colon, top of rectum (without my consent- all healthy tissue), both ovaries, hooked the top of my vagina to my backbone (vagina was not prolapsing) and fixed a cystocele I did not have. My entire pelvic floor became scar tissue. WHat was left of my rectum could not straighten for defecation and angle for continence like it could prior to surgery. (My puborectalis muscle worked fine prior to surgery). Then I formed a severe stricture at the site where my sigmoid colon was removed. It narrowed my colon to 4 millimeter diameter. The colorectal surgeon had no plan to address this. Then my small intestine became trapped in severe scar tissue and I was unable to eat for 7 months due to repeated small bowel obstructions. Took me 13 months 11 surgeons and 7 hospitals before I found someone who would do what could be done to save my life. I had severe adhesions removed from my small intestine and a permanent ileostomy. So far so good and it's been 2+ years. I pray I never have another adhesion reobstruction. Seeing there was nothing wrong with me in the first place, I went down this road for naught. BUT I did find out after the fact that my 2 original surgeons had close to a dozen suits against them (including mine) all covered up by the state med board. Takes 3-5 years to get a settlement or trial by jury. After that I HOPE to exposed them and STOP them from doing this to others. Their past suits show patterns of unneeded surgeries and ignored post-op complications leading to deaths and patients with lost bodily function. This is criminal action, not medicine. In the meantime I travel, I figure why not. I lost my professional career of 17 years, but figure I may as well travel. Hoping I stay well to accomplish my mission that for some horrible reason, I guess I was selected to do. SO that's how I got here. I wish I'd known in 2006 to look under the ostomy thread as these people know about all these additional tests I should have had. BUt I did not think to look under ostomies as that was not what I was dealing with. These people are very knowledgable about pelvic conditions. We all got the knowledge the hard way. We know more than some doctors about all this pelvic stuff. Welcome aboard. Rosemary
Posted 12/17/2009 5:42 PM (GMT 0)
Jenise, are you talking about the Dr.  Frattini that now works in Tampa?  If so, he's the best.  In August 2007, when I had my colectomy, he was one of my surgeons at Cleveland Clinic in Ft. Lauderdale.

butterfly

Posted 12/17/2009 6:49 PM (GMT 0)
UGH, I am back home for 1 hour and spending the entire time sitting on the toilet. It is really getting on my nerves. But hey, atleast I have something to do while I sit in here...come here to HW. LOL

Gilda, welcome. Did you have colonic inertia too? Because I have that plus something wrong with my rectum and will probably get a stoma and have to use a bag...BUT, I am going to try a couple of experimental therapies 1st! I am opposed to having my colon removed though because of the outlet problem which is just horrible. We all post here because the colectomy I guess is a form of an ostomy????? I started posting here because my doctor mentioned me getting an ileostomy! So, I stated researching ileostomies and stumbled onto this site which is just wonderful. The people here all understand pooping problems, so, I don't feel so all alone. No-one of us has the exact problem, but enough of the same issues to be able to relate. And we have all become one cyber family! LOL

Jenise, you just amaze me. I am shocked about how well you are doing. And yes, my wonderful hubby asked me if you were still pooping! It is so funny because he asks about Lizzie too! He thinks she should have another stoma installed and he is always telling me to just bite the bullet and get the stoma. He sees the misery that I go through daily though and can't understand how I stand it.

Okay back to work for me. I will be off for 2 weeks for Christmas. Oh how I love my job and off days. Have a good day ladies. Tracy
Posted 12/17/2009 7:40 PM (GMT 0)
Jenise I am glad you are pooping but sorry for the butt burn. I have been pretty lucky with that. I haven't had much butt burn and the calmoseptine works well with what I do get. I am going to the bathroom about 4 to 6 times a day but have great control when I go out and can hold it til I get home. Things do get better. My biggest problem has been weakness. I am so tired all the time...I mean like weak terrible tired. Today my body feels like jello. Really sux.

Lizzie I am so sorry you are having so many problems. I am thinking about you all the time. I sure hope things work out okay. You are in my prayers.

Jen
Posted 12/17/2009 8:42 PM (GMT 0)
hi my loves! sorry i havn't been on here for a while.. YEEPIE Jenise!!!!!! WHAT a relief FINALLY!!! just can't express how happy i am for you!!!! now you can concentrate on healing and getting stronger. are you home yet? feel good honey and keep getting better! Lizzie, is the insurance issue and appt is settled yet?? i'm so frustrated for you, i can't imagine how awful it is to deal with insurance and all on top of everything you're going through. pls let us know what's going on. how are you doing with the test so far?? love you worried about you. Jen, so glad you're home and feeling better honey! pls take it easy, gain some weight, and rest rest rest and pamper yourself for as long as needed, o.k? love you and thinking of you! Janie, glad you're managing with miralax. give that granddaughter a big kiss right on the cheeck for me. i just LOVE their cheecks!! Tracy, poor thing, i can't wait for the 28th to get here already and for things to finally move forward for you! you've been dealing with this imposible situation for too long now, it's really time to do something about it!!!! praying for you always, honey! i'm managing with the chocolate for now... lol i must be insane, i eat a whole bar of 100 grams every day!!!!! that's LOTS of calories. but if i don't eat it, i won't go :( one more week till i have my blood results, then i can start the new dr's treatment with mg, vit D, fish oil and enzimes, i hope it helps. everyone else.. love you all and thinking of you always.
Posted 12/17/2009 10:22 PM (GMT 0)
I'm home.. I'm finally home! I was ready to go early this AM, dressed walking the floors.. just waiting for my Dr.'s release. No more blockage, thank goodness. I'm amazed at how well I feel.. and I recall Jen feeling so good.. making beds and stuff.. and I know I must refrain... thankfully, but the time I arrived home I was completely exhausted and I have done nothing but nap and watch a little TV. I just got up now to check the site.

I had so many BM's yesterday and last night, I was sure I didn't anything left in my system, but I went this morning. It wasn't like water, but was loose diarrhea. I haven't gone again all day. This morning the doctors listened and said my bowel sounds were much improved, but I'm still sluggish.. guess they are just taking their time to fully wake up. I'm a bit crampy today and bloated.. but probably because I have been moving about and sitting upright more.

butterfly, YES! That is the doctor I'm referring about. I knew he was at CC before he moved to Tampa. I was embarrassed yesterday when he had to do his magic on my fecal impaction.. but guess that he has see it all.

Gilda, welcome! I never understood why we post under ostomies, when the majority of us do not have a pouch. Some of us have no colon at all and some of us have just parts gone.. but whatever, this is the most wonderful group.

Rosemary, I know that I have all my rectum intact.. on the surgical notes it said "low anterior resection". I'll need to look that up and see what more I can find out. I can't remember if I mentioned that I asked the Dr. about my adhesion's and the mesh. He said he didn't run into any issues with my mesh (thank goodness) and he said he was surprised I had very little adhesion. I wonder why our bodies react one way or another..?

Tracy, honestly - I don't know how you felt after your sacral colpopexy.. and maybe it has more to do with being under general anesthesia for over 8 hours, or the bladder trauma, but it just knocked me out. I also had trouble standing up straight and walking, but even with this 7" open incision, I'm doing better. Then again.. I was in the hospital 8 night vs 3.. so possibly the extra rest has help as well as the fact that I really was in great shape prior to this surgery - exercising 7 days a week. Having my strong leg and arm muscles really, really helped me getting in and out of bed.. because the first few days were difficult. I have to say, that there are many people ho live life full with a stoma, and I think you really have to consider how disabling your life is right now. I always said we had symptoms that were similar - but I definitely did not struggle the way you do.

Jen, just ignore the how well I'm doing posts. I recall your posts when you first came home.. you were doing great, and I was amazed, but you've had major complications and your body has been assaulted and it's just going to take you double, maybe triple time to recover fully. As long as I have no setbacks, I will be recovered way before you - even at my old age of 48! It's just going to take time for you, but rest and naps are the way the body heals itself (and protein). ((HUGS))

Hodaya, my goodness, it can't be too hard a medicine to swallow when it's chocolate! If it works, I'd say keep doing it. Hopefully once all your blood tests results are in your new doctor's treatment will work wonders for you.
Posted 12/17/2009 10:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hodaya - I'm amazed that you can go just by eatting a candy bar.  Is the bar sugar-free? As long as it is working for you, stick with it! Any excuse to eat chocolate is a good excuse!

Jenise - Yippie, you're home!  I'm so glad that Dr. Frattini has restored your faith in him and that you now feel more comfortable with your surgery.  Take things easy at home. You only get once chance to recover! Even if you're feeling ok, try not to stretch or move your inside to much.  Of course, walking around the house is always a wonderful substitute for cleaning the bathrooms!

Gilda - you asked why I cut the little fingers off plastic gloves...well, for one reason, it saves money.  I do not want to waste a whole glove just to apply medicaiton using one finger. And second, I like to keep my fingers clean. I do not enjoy touching my bum directly if I do not have to.

Lizzy - I know you must be exhausted today.  You and I both had insomnia last night and were up chatting pretty late. I hope your day goes well at the CC and they help ease our minds in regards to the camera test.  We are all very concerned for our sweet Lizzy!

Tracy - I am sorry you are a slave to your toliet. It is so hard to plan your life around going to the bathroom. That was one thing that made the so advantageous. I could poop anywhere I went. Now, it is so hard especially working in real estate.  I to be careful not to drink prune juice before I show homes to clients which means I cannot show homes at night.  However, many of my clients work so they can only see homes at night.  Then I get home late. Drink my prune juice and spend most of the night on the toliet. Then I have to make sure I am completely cleaned out so I do not have to 'go' in the morning.  I teach exercise classes in the morning and I cannot excuse myself from teaching just to poop. Trying to rearrange my life so I can have a poop schedule is extremely frustrating.

Ok, got to run before my BBQ chicken burns on the stove!

Posted 12/18/2009 12:01 AM (GMT 0)
As many of you know, I care for my father-in-law who is in recovery from pancreatic cancer and I aid my mother-in-law with her Alzheimer's disease. My husband and I bought and new home several months ago so my in-laws could live with us and I quit my real estate job to care for them. As of 2 months ago, my father-in-law was cancer free. I have been working hard to get him strong again so he can eventually walk and care for himself. Tonight we learned that he has stomach and pancreatic cancer again. I know this is not a cancer forum but I just needed to vent. I am so scared to watch my father-in-law die. I am scared that I may not be able to give him all that he requires. But I have to! My whole family is depending on me to care for him until he passes. We were not given a time frame from the Dr. He said that surgery would kill him and so would chemo. He is too weak from all of his previous chemo and radiation treatments. I wish I had someone to draw my strength from - my husband, my sisters, someone! But, no one can hold this burden for me. My husband has to focus on supporting all of us so we can have food on the table and a roof over my head. Emotionally I wonder if I am strong enough. Can I remind my mother-in-law every day that her husband is dying because she forgets everything with in 5 minutes. Can I handle taking care of them both?? I know I can. I know God will be my strength. I know that I will never regret serving them.

Thank you for letting me vent.
Posted 12/18/2009 12:42 AM (GMT 0)
Amey, I can't imagine the responsibility of caring for a cancer patient and an alzheimers patient. WOW, that has to be hard physically, but more so, emotionally. It is so hard seeing people that we love go down hill. Just pray for strength to get through each and everyday. I have a dear friend whose baby daughter is in the hospital because she was born with a liver problem..it makes me wonder if my poop issues are "really" that bad. I try to only talk about how horrible it is only on here and of course, with my wonderful husband. Nobody else understands, and even if they do, they are also thinking, big deal, you are "constipated"! If they only really knew what my having a bm really entails. LOL

Jenise, you are doing great. I am so happy for you. NO chores for you though. Relax the next 6-8 weeks, then do chores. Amey hit the nail on the head too....you only have 1 chance to heal right. As far as the sacralcolopopexy! It hurt much worse than my hysterectomy, which was open. The sacralcolopopexy was done lap and it hurt like hell. I could barely walk from the pain...and it hurt like that for a week and that was just part of the pain. I had horrific spincter spasms that would wrack my body for hours and no pain med would touch it. I would walk and cry for hours with that pain. I just about cussed my doctor out that pain was so unbearable. UGH and I don't ever want to feel that pain again. It was suicidal pain that pain was. EWWW EWWW EWWW It is good to know that the pain is not that bad. I bet the cramping is normal. It is still way early in the healing game. Have you pooped anymore? Does it come out easier?
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