A very very rough Step 1

I had my step one surgery on December 19th at the Cleveland clinic. Everything seemed good. I was out of the hospital in four days. On Christmas night my ostomy stopped working. No gas, no output. I was bloated and having extreme pain. I was admitted to my local hospital with an obstruction. I had an NG tube and was on TPN for 7 days.

I came home and I knew things still were not right. I could not stand up for more than a few minutes and found myself forcing myself to eat. Less than 48 hours after being discharged the ostomy had stopped working again. I was bloating, having pain, and vomiting. I found myself back in the ER. This time the CAT scan showed a hernia. Part of my small bowel had fallen through a hole. I was then transferred down to the Cleveland clinic where it was repaired. I stayed there for six days. Good old prednisone may have been the culprit in causing the hernia.

The care I received at the CC was amazing. The experience at my local hospital was the worst part. I was on the hip and knee replacement floor. No one even knew what an ostomy was. It was terrible. I am now home and everything seems to be functioning. I am only 22 years old. Being in the hospital for 3 weeks was the most traumatizing experience of my life. I guess I had to hit rock bottom first on this journey to good health.

I am only 2 semesters away from graduating nursing school. I missed my first week, but I am going back to school next week. I don't know if it is because I am young, but I am finding the strength to finish even though I had 2 surgeries in 3 weeks. I am getting stronger every day. I wanted to share this because going into the surgery I never thought this would happen to me, but you have to expect the worst.

That sounds absolutely horrific! Sounds like you're attitude will get you far though and hopefully this is all in the past. How are you managing with the stoma? Will you have your next surgeries at CC?
Keep us posted and best healing wishes.

So sorry that happened to you. I had complications too after my step one (infection/abscess). Unfortunately, complications are common with this surgery especially since you are dealing with the digestive system. You really do have to hope for the best but prepare for the worst. Before you know it though it will all be a distant memory. Hang in there! :)

Hello. I am one of the people that live on a military base where the hospital on base does not have a unit for trauma or major emergenciess. Anyway, On 9/19/2011 I went to the hospital on base. They decided to do an x-ray and found that I had an abcess inside near my blader. They could not handel the situation so I ended up being transfered to another hospital. Stayed in the hospital for 7 days. Put on Antibiotics and pain killers.After a few days I felt a lot better. Went home and no sooner had I gotten home but the pain came back and was unabel to keep anything down. Went back to the hospital and next thing I know I am scheduled for emergency surgery. My intestins had totally ruptured. Ended up having 2 feet of my intestins out and a iliostomy put in, Not a fun experience. I am doing better now. Have lost over 40 pounds. No more flares have occured and am avoiding the foods that the docotr tells me that I can not have.

So sorry you had to suffer through that but glad you are on the mend. I agree that this experience will help you be a great nurse with a lot of compassion.

It is the worst when you go to a hospital where people cannot really help you and don't know what you are dealing with! I am in that boat now!

Sorry you had such a rough time, and I agree w/the others -- as awful as this experience was, you are going to be able to use it to help all kinds of others as a nurse. I hope the next semester goes smoothly, and please take care of yourself. Glad you're getting your strength back.

I was at the Cleveland clinic in Ohio (I live in Michigan). My only complaint about the bag so far is the odor. I use the M9 drops and still gag every time I empty.

I survived my first day of clinical today. I handled caring for two patients. It is really nice not having to worry about when my next flare up will be.

The odor from the bag definitely will get better with time.  We tried using the M9 drops but afer about 2 weeks, the odor really went away.   we stay away from anything gassy, (which also gives him stomach cramps) and stay with a lot of carbs, pasta, potatoes, chicken.  We also stay away from most milk products, but my son does tolerate Yogurt smoothies without much gas pain.

But it will get better!!  Keep the faith!