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Total Colectomy Part 5

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Posted 8/30/2005 3:31 PM (GMT 0)
Amira, I'm not really sure about that protrusion.  Maybe it is your small intestine?  I didn't have that after surgery.  I was a little distended for a few weeks, but nothing protruding out.  Maybe it is just your muscles and adipose tissue swollen a little still from being jerked around during surgery. 

My scar starts off really skinny, but gets wider as you go down.  Looks kind of funny.  I'm still using Mederma (when I can remember) so hopefully it will start calming down some.  I also wondered if anyone else has noticed that the area right around the scar and the scar itself has little to no feeling.  Seems sort of strange to me, maybe it's normal?

 

Posted 8/30/2005 3:37 PM (GMT 0)

Amira, I have the same problem at the top of my incision.  There is a bulge, otherwise I'm pretty flat, which is great.  I keep massaging it gently and it seems to be going down.  Maybe that will help.

For some reason unknown to me I am having a lot of pain today.  It feels like gas.  I'm trying to introduce new foods to help me put on weight, but everytime I eat something different I get terrible cramps.  Last night I had a lousy baked potato and I'm all cramped up.  I am 5'4" and was 105 before the surgery and am hovering around 90 now.  I'll try the Boost Kelly.  I don't want to go out and by new jeans, but it's starting to get cool at night and I may have to bite the bullet and go get a cheap pair that fit.

Sorry about the area code Amira, I'm not the greatest typist.  I'll update it today.

Cheers,

Zoe

Posted 8/30/2005 6:03 PM (GMT 0)
You guys know oh so well that this surgery is relatively new. Each of the three doctors that I have talked to about this surgery have defined total and subtotal differently as well as colonic inertia. This surgeon called ileorectostomy- total colectomy. She called subtotal- leaving in the sigmoid. I think that I'm convinced, it's total for me. Today's bouts of pain are enough! I'm still on Zelnorm and when/if it decides to work, it's working around a blockage. So, the cramping, gas pains, diarrhea without stool are beyond my pain threshold, and for what?

Is it weird to be excited about major abd surgery? Maybe it is just anxiety that seems like excitement. Or maybe I am a sick puppy. Don't get me wrong, I'm scared to death too. I have anxiety about work, and the kids, too. But this too shall pass. Right?

I'm a keloider, that means my scars keep growing (hypertropic) and can be quite ugly, any suggestions? I have done the lazer scar treatments before, with good results, but I know that my current insurance will not cover that.

Work again- talk to ya'll later
Cathy
Posted 8/30/2005 6:16 PM (GMT 0)
Zoe,
I know what you mean about having to buy new jeans!
I weighed 125 before surgery, got down to 100 about 2 weeks
after, but now I'm pretty stabile at 114. Since I wear jeans
a lot and I needed both jean capris and regular, I couldn't
afford to buy all new and then 3-4 months from now gain more
weight. Soooo, I went to a new, just built, Goodwill store (everything is used but in exc. condition) and got 6 pairs all for
$5 a piece. Also went to a consignment shop and got a top
designer brand in perfect condition for $9. So, that might
be an option to try versus buying all new.
Good luck!
Annie
Posted 8/30/2005 7:06 PM (GMT 0)

Zoe, I know those gas pains far too well.  They do pass, I promise but they can be terrible.  Mine didn't really start until about 1 month ago.  Hang in there!

Cathy, it's not weird to be excited!  I think it's because we have all felt so bad, for so long, we just want to get rid of what is causing our pain, no matter how is has to be done (within reason, of course!).  I was very excited b/c all I could think of was how much better I was going to feel afterwards. 

~Somer

Posted 8/30/2005 7:20 PM (GMT 0)
Cathy, there are journel articles out there that distinguish between total and subtotal colectomies.  DO NOT have your rectum removed if you do not need to!  Yes, have the sigmoid removed but NOT the rectum!

 

For kiliod, stretching, or discolored scars try scarguard.  There on 2 different types depending on your specific needs, which can be purchased (and researched) online.  I got mine from a plastic surgeon, who charged me double the price.  That's what I've been using since my little strips fell off.  The goal for me is a very thin scar.

 

Somer, my scar seems thinner at the top as well.  I think it's too soon for me to comment on the sensitivity; I'm still scared to put any pressure there.  I just very gently put the scarguard on with a nail polish brush and some areas are more sensitive than others.  That's why, Zoe, I wouldn't even think of massaging it right now; but, I will try in another 2 weeks -- that magic 6 week mark again.

 

Zoe, drink Ensure Plus -- NOW!  Drink 2 a day for the next 2 weeks!  Psuedo-doctor's orders! 

 

I'm 5'2 and very happy at 111 pounds!  I went down to 109, but that was too thin for me.  I only ate small meals for the first 3 days once at home.  A week later, I was off the low residue diet and started eating anything I wanted, stuff I could never eat without suffering before, like hash browns and pizza.  I've also had salads and nuts.  Thank God I haven't had the gas pains except for the first night I ate at the hospital when they gave me mashed potatoes and GRAVY.  The only other problem I had was this morning because I ate some really spicy food last night (Thai, more than mild -- mild is OK, I've tried that before), and I was almost in tears from the burning during my BM.  And please don't lecture, the hash browns/pizza thing was a one time experiment.  Even though it turned out OK, I won't make a habit out of it.  As a matter of fact, I hope to be going to the market for the first time since the surgery either today or tomorrow for some healthy foods like wheat grain bread, etc...

 

Thanks for the info about the protrusion/bulge thing.  I'll make sure to ask the surgeon about it at my next visit, which is still 3 weeks away.  When I asked him at the hospital, he said it would take a couple of weeks for the swelling to go down, it'll be 4 weeks tomorrow.  It better be substantially down by the time I see him!  I think I scare my surgeon -- this is a good thing!  When I saw him one week after I was discharged, he said, "Hey, look, the swelling has gotten a lot better (which it had)."  But he almost sounded surprised!

 

Take care,

Amira

Posted 8/30/2005 10:45 PM (GMT 0)
I felt the need to post something just so we could maintain top billing on the "ostomies" page

Call me crazy!

Cathy
Posted 8/30/2005 10:51 PM (GMT 0)

Hey y'all!  I haven't written in so long, so I am trying to catch back up.  Congratulations Cathy on getting your surgery date.  You and I seem to be on the same schedule.  I just got my surgery date of October 6th.  I also found out my insurance will help with 80% of the surgery, which put my mind at ease with the money situation.  Is 80% normal?

I am a little confused on the weight loss, but still being bloated.  I don't know about y'all, but the day after taking tons of laxatives and emptying completely out I feel like I'm on top of the world.  Is that how I will feel after the surgery?  I know that is a hard question to ask, but do you ever feel empty?

For those of you who had open surgery, why did you op to have the open vs. laproscopic?  My doctor wants to do laproscopic, but I was wondering the reasoning behind one versus the other.

Well, I hope to talk to y'all soon!

Posted 8/30/2005 11:48 PM (GMT 0)
Shelbs-- I never feel empty!
My doc wants to do lap also. She says it's the standard for newer trained colorectal surgeons these days!?!
Because of my keloid scar situation, I am fine with lap, and she says recovery is easier. 2-3 days post op and home.

If you have an 80/20 insurance, then 80% is normal. I don't know what I will be left with yet. I'm hearing total costs between 35-50,000 dollars-ugh. Quicker out of hospital-cheaper, fewer complications-cheaper. I plan on this going like clockwork (ROLEX clockwork preferably) Well, maybe TIMEX-keeps on tickin'.

Later,
Cathy
Posted 8/31/2005 12:09 AM (GMT 0)
Amira - I have a similar bump between my navel and public line. I was told in time it will go down. I started out as a huge bump.
Poop catcher thing is a "hat" that fits between the stool and the lid it has "wings" on it to stay. When you sit and go it will catch things. After a careful examination, I will dump it and clean until it's next use. I have 3 bathrooms, but only 2 hats. I need to get another so I am prepared in whatever room I go. They can be bought at any medical supply store for about $4.
If I had to hang my rear over a boat to go, I would. I took the radio in the bathroom today and sure enough, they call out my name. I had to speak and break concentration. The guy in the office goes - not to bad for sitting on the crapter. I said thanks !!!

Cathy - Please explain the coca-cola enema. I can honestly say that is one I have not tried. Speaking of enemas. Usually they give you one when your in early labor. I was induced so they gave me one and the nurse said, my god the bag is almost empty can you feel that?. I said no, but you can stop. Well, the enema did not come out for 2 days. I gave birth with all that stuff in me.

Gotta run for now, be back after dishes.

Kelly
Posted 8/31/2005 12:22 AM (GMT 0)
I, personally am not familiar with the coke enema, but my doctor said that the chemicals in coke with break down anything (including stuck poop). Kelly-- the idea of the enema is to clear things out, not fill them up!
How many kids do you have? I have 4, sometimes it seems like 24 though.

Cathy
Posted 8/31/2005 12:55 AM (GMT 0)

Cathy – Yes vacation is nice, but during the school year I put in 50 hour weeks as a teacher, 8 hours a week as a nurse, and probably another 15-20 as a graduate student… so yes vacation has to be nice because for the next 14 weeks my life sucks!  I hate housework too, you should check out flylady.net.  I only clean for one hour a week and about 15-20 minutes a day… and my house is always clean.  It’s worth it!

 

Cathy again – Hmmm have you had those tests that we have talked about (especially the defectography) because you should not have surgery without that.  You should definitely have the total (which is actually a subtotal) basically what you want is to have your whole large intestine removed and leave the rectum intact.  Although they may state that you will have diarrhea all the time, that is NOT the case.  I had the whole large intestine removed and my stool is formed.  I think Somer is a lot like me… everyone is different. I am suspicious that actually I have gastroparesis and my WHOLE GI tract is slow.  My doctor has never seen anyone have formed stools this quickly after surgery… but I am doing great and it was worth it!

 

Annie – try eating some thickeners.  Peanut butter, noodles, bread are all examples of thickeners, and they may help the consistency.

 

Zoe – try Ensure, Glucerna, or something like that.  Might give you some calories without causing trauma to your stomach and GI tract?  Otherwise just eat LOTS of little slow meals… like maybe try eating every hour and see how that works?

 

Somer – both of those terms are the same thing… my doctor has used both terms interchangeably.  I have seen and used a coca cola enema and they are not much fun… but they do work.  I am surprised that they haven’t tried a molasses enemas which is also gross but it also works well.  My incision is also numb to the right hand side of it.

 

Amira – more than likely it is your muscle which is inflamed because it was cut and now it is being used and healing back together.  I felt that now for a long time… and I can still feel a bump under there from scar tissue and stuff but it isn’t anything to be concerned about.  I might be your intestine, but I doubt it because it is more lying towards the distal end of the tummy cavity.

 

Shelbs – my doc does an open/lap combo.  Meaning that he does most of through the lap incisions, but then does 4 inch open incision from the belly button to the public area so that he can clearly visualize the area where the anastomosis is.

 

Ok sorry for the long post, but I had to make notes on ALL of the postings I missed (wow you guys were busy).  Just got home from vacation, and I am TIRED!  I did not have sex, but had some other hot tub action instead, LOL!  I went on the go karts and I thought I was going to die they were CRAZY rough… but all in all I am feeling fine.  I ate what I wanted to, within reason, and I only had cramps once.  We went in the hot tub both nights, very relaxing.  Has anyone ever heard of a duck?  A Wisconsin duck?  LOL if not they are the craziest thing ever, drive on land and water.  I have been on the duck tour like 4 times, and I STILL love it!  Had a great time, VERY relaxing! J I am a little bit bound up right now, so I stopped on the way home and got some Sunny D..  LOL!

 

Hugs to all,

Emma

Posted 8/31/2005 12:57 AM (GMT 0)
Cathy and Shelbs - I had the lap and it was great. No painful incision. I have 2 small incisions on the left, 1 in the navel, 1 on the right and about an 1" vertical incision right at my pubic line and up. I was in for 6 days. It varies for everyone, yours could be less or more. I developed pnuemonia on day 2. Please give me a call if you would like to ask me questions personally, 319-835-5802. I have 2 kids, 19 and 11, different marriages.

80% is usually normal for insurance to pay. However, if you have an out of pocket maximum and hit that, then insurance usally will pick up the rest 100 %. I was $450.00 from my out of pocket. The 450 is all I have to pay out of $55,000 so far in bills. I don't know what your amount will be, but I had extras on top of the surgery and hospital stay. OK you all, we are need to mark our calendars for Sept 8 for Cathy and Oct 6 for Shelbs. They will need our support, I wish we could visit you in the hospital. Let us know where you will be at so we can send a card.

I will check back in an hour, Tommy Lee goes to College is on. Not a big fan of his, but he is in my home state of Nebraska and I love the Huskers !!

Kelly
Posted 8/31/2005 3:55 AM (GMT 0)
Hi all,

Emma- glad you had a good trip. I have never heard of a duck (well not this kind) but it sounds like a blast. Hot tub action sounds good too. I haven't had much interest lately, bloating and all. The surgeon tested me similarly in her office with her finger up my you know what. She made me push and squeeze and she pulled on the muscles looking for pain or weakness. She said I have a small decrease in muscle tone anteriorly, probably caused by 4 episiotomies. Nothing to worry about since I don't have incontinence now.

Kelly-- That's cool. Mine are close to yours. 18G, 13B, 11G, and 10B. My 10 yr old is the one without his large intestines. At 8 months old his lg int. was removed. He's doing great. We live in AZ, I swore he'd never play sports due to risk of dehydration. He didn't hear me, he loves basketball, plays all the time. He did some baseball, but basketball is the bomb (which means the best). He did get very ill very fast with the flu last year, turned on a dime, went to the hospital for rehydration. We checked his B12 level while we were there since it had never been checked, it was fine.

all-- my work anxiety is better, our parttime right hand man (she's really a girl) said she'll work fulltime while I am recovering. This will majorly decrease my husbands anxiety, which will make my life easier. You ladies know what I mean. NO DISRESPECT INTENDED TO ANY MEN READING THIS FORUM.

That's it for me tonight and I have to do it all over again tomorrow. Good night everybody!
CAthy
Posted 8/31/2005 4:28 AM (GMT 0)
Shelbs, the minute I woke up from surgery, I felt light like I never have before.  It was one of the first things I said, how I couldn't believe how light I felt.  It was a much better feeling than how I felt after taking tons of laxatives and completely emptying.  And, I haven't felt bloated since!  My tummy, is flat, except for the little swelled bulge that I hope will go away soon (it's only on one side).  I feel like I have a washboard stomach.  It's amazing!

 

I decided I wanted open surgery because I wanted the surgeon to see exactly what he was doing.  My surgeon was trained in both methods.  I didn't want any mistakes.  Also, it seemed to me from reading past posts that more problems were associated with the laproscopic method.  Also, I thought one long scar was better than 4 smaller, yet probably just as noticable, ones, at least with my skin coloring - olive skin.  The recovery time may be a little longer, but when I read what the surgeon had done while in there, it was like he cleaned up shop.  Finally, the laproscopic surgery takes longer and I have a thing about anesthesia: I fear brain damage, so the least amount of time I'm under, the better I feel about it!  I'm completely happy with my decision for an open surgery and would do it again!

 

Somer, I actually felt the length of my entire scar today for the first time.  Some areas felt fine, others were still very sensitive to the touch, and there was one area about an inch or 2 under my bellybutton that had that numb feeling -- freaked me right out.  But I spoke to a few friends who had C-sections and they said this was normal and feeling may or may not come back with time, but that it helped bring back the sensation if it was massaged.  I see a friend of mine next week who's a dermatologist, I'll ask her and let you know.  For now, I'm too sensitive in some areas to massage!

 

Kelly, I looked at Zoe's masterpiece list and saw that your surgery was just about 2 months ago.  Have you passed any blood in that time?  If no, why do you still feel you need a catcher?  Was it recommended by your doctor?  Is there something he/she said you should watch out for?  Like I said before, it's only been a month for me and I'm still amazed by every little thing: I can't believe I don't need pills, teas, or tons of other types of laxatives; I still panic if 12 hours go by and I haven't had an urge; and I'm stunned every time I do have an urge!

 

Emma, "distal end of the tummy cavity," are you trying to show off?  Speak in English! LOL  Seriously, inflamed muscles sound plausible, not to mention much more appealing than small intestine all crammed up in one spot!

 

It sound like you had a fun time, which is all that matters, sex or no sex!  I just asked my husband to wait until the 6 week mark because I'm chicken!  Poor guy -- poor me!  Anyway, do you contribute the bound up feeling to flying?  I'm really curious about that.  I also want more detail on the Wisconsin Duck!  Glad your home safely!

 

Sept 8 and Oct 6 it is.  Good luck Ladies.  I'm sure your lives will improve 100% as a result of your surgeries!

 

Amira

Posted 8/31/2005 12:38 PM (GMT 0)
Shelbs,  my surgeon told me I could have either lap or open, it was up to me.  He told me that he wasn't all that impressed with lap b/c you are in surgery for alot longer, like 2-3 hours more.  He said yes, you may have less pain from lap, but he thought the benefits weren't overwhelming enough.  But he insisted that it was up to me to choose.  I chose open b/c I felt it would be a better choice for me personally.

Cathy, I also had decreased anal pressure/squeeze during my defecography.  The coke enema makes sense, but gosh it doesn't sound fun.  I had a tap water enema right before surgery, and all I could think was "there is noooo way there is anything left in there after a 3 day prep!".  Just like Emma, I do not have diarrhea all the time.  Of course they have to tell you that severe diarrhea may be what you end up with, but everyone and every situation is different. My insurance also paid 80% b/c I work for the hospital system I had my surgery and my benefits are through.  It really ended up being more that 80% b/c I think total, after anesthesiologist/pathology/surgeon/labs/hospital fees, etc.. I ended up paying about $1200.  Not to shabby I thought.  Well worth the money!  My hospital also gave me a discount since we paid the whole bill at one time. 

Amira, let me know what they say about the scar thing.  I'd be really interested to hear.

Emma, glad you had a good time on vacation.  Ohh hot tub, that sounds good! 

Posted 8/31/2005 2:12 PM (GMT 0)

Amira - A DUCK is a vehicle that was built for the war and it drives on the land and in the water.  It is nice because they take it down the trails in the woods and then into the Wisconsin River.  They show you rocks and formations along with wildlife and the driver has some bad jokes... but it is way fun! Ahh and sorry about the nursy speak... I forgot sometimes it just such a part of me.   BTW I did not fly, but we drove because it is only 2 hours away... and I think I got bound up from not drinking enough water... the second night I was very thirtsy... something I havent experienced in a long time which is NOT a good sign... but I drank what I could and I am ok :)

Cathy - although they did a full rectal exam, with all of your pregnancies I am suprised they are not doing a defectography.  In fact you would be the first person I know having the surgery without it.  My surgeon will not do the surgery without this test.  Maybe you shoudl ask about it?  Maybe not.. :)

Somer - I once decribed something to DBF as "its at the distal end of the bookcase" LOL without thinking.  Granted that was after working a 16 hour day but still he looked at me like I was nuts.

Today I have to go to the college and give an hour presentation on the tutoring program that I have developed to all of the level facilitators and the dean... ick scary!

Hugs,

Emma

Posted 8/31/2005 3:19 PM (GMT 0)
Somer, I'll let you know as soon as I do about the scaring -- I think my appointment is Tuesday of next week.

 

Cathy, get the defocography!

 

Emma, why do I feel like I miss you?  Anyway, it's nice to have you back from vacation.  Hey, just so you know, I've decided to have sex only after you do!  The pressure is on!  I'll just refer all my hubby's questions and demands to you from now on!  Lastly, I want to ride the duck!

 

Amira

Posted 8/31/2005 3:48 PM (GMT 0)
Emma, the duck sounds cool.  I often find myself saying something that sound udderly ridiculous to pt's.  But thankfully most of the time, they don't understand me anyway!  I just repeat myself and hope they don't catch it!

Cathy, you should have the defecogram for sure.  How else do you know if your rectum is going to even work properly after surgery?  If you aren't expelling stool correctly in the first place, surgery may just make it worse.  Maybe you could just mention it and see what your doc says. 

~Somer

Posted 8/31/2005 4:37 PM (GMT 0)
I wonder if the Wisconsin Duck would help them in New Orleans, Biloxi, & Mobile. Have these ducks been known to fly south?
Posted 8/31/2005 5:38 PM (GMT 0)
HI, EVERYBODY!
THANKS, EMMA, ON THE ADVICE about THE THICKENERS.
SO THAT'S WHY MY SURGEON TOLD ME TO EAT A PEANUT BUTTER SANDWICH EVERY DAY! SHE DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING
about NOODLES BREAD AND WHILE I EAT THE PEANUT BUTTER SANDWICH, I DON'T EAT OTHER BREAD. BM'S ARE STILL RUNNY AND LOOSE BUT AS TIME GOES ON MAYBE IT'LL GET BETTER. I'M 5'6 AND I'M PRETTY STABILE NOW AT 113-114 LBS BUT EVERYTHING I EAT RUNS RIGHT OUT.
I THINK EVERY CASE IS DIFFERENT IN TERMS OF WHAT TYPE YOU HAVE--open OR LAP. I HAD THE LAP AND I WAS STILL IN THE HOSPITAL 8 DAYS AND 1 RETURN EMERGENCY ROOM VISIT AFTER 1 WEEK AT HOME. I HAVE 2 SMALL INCISIONS AND ONE FROM MY BELLY BUTTON DOWN WHICH IS about
2 IN. LONG. THAT ONE IS SLOW TO HEAL--STILL TENDER AND
BUMPY. I HAD NO COMPLICATIONS IN REGARDS TO INFECTIONS OR PNEUMONIA. I WOULD ADVISE ANYONE HAVING MAJOR SURGERY, REGARDLESS OF AGE, TO HAVE A PNEUMONIA SHOT AHEAD OF TIME. I'VE HEARD TOO MANY CASES OF POST OP PNEUMONIA. I HAD MY SHOT A FEW YRS AGO BECAUSE OF ASTHMA AND I HAVEN'T GOTTEN PNEUMONIA YET. MY DAD HAD 18 IN OF HIS INTESTINE REMOVED about 4 YRS AGO. HE WENT THROUGH A HORRIBLE ORDEAL WITH INFECTION AFTER INFECTION WHERE THEY PUT THE TWO ENDS BACK TOGETHER. HE WAS IN THE HOSPITAL ALL TOTAL FOR ALMOST A MONTH. TOOK HIM A YEAR TO GET OVER ALL THAT. HE HAD THE open SURGERY AND TEMPORARILY WORE A BAG (WHICH I HAD TO DRIVE 60 MILES ROUND TRIP TO HELP HIM CLEAN IT BECAUSE MY MOM WOULDN'T DO IT!!) HIS WAS DONE BECAUSE OF CANCER CELLS. AFTER I HAD THIS DONE, I TOLD HIM HE SHOULD HAVE HAD THE SAME THING DONE--TOTAL REMOVAL-- AND HE SAID 'NO WAY'---- SOME PEOPLE ARE SO STUBBORN!
WHEN I SEE ALL THE DEVASTATION FROM KATRINA, I LOOK AT MYSELF AND THINK 'I DON'T HAVE IT SO BAD AFTER ALL...'
I FEEL BLESSED! AT LEAST I'M RECOVERING AT HOME WITH ALL THE CONVENIENCES AND NOT A SICK PERSON OVER THERE!
HAVE A GOOD DAY, ALL!
ANNIE
Posted 8/31/2005 6:14 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all,
I didn't have the defecogram. They wanted me to have it but the barium was contaminated and they couldn't get any for several months. This is the Cleveland Clinic. LOL Instead they did an MRI of the lower abdominal region. It was very uncomfortable. I was told NOT to take any laxatives and then I had to squeeze and hold, squeeze and hold, I don't know how many times. I was so afraid I was going to mess myself. When I went to the surgeon for my surgery consult, he stuck his finger up my rectum and told me to squeeze. Then he said, yep you're a candidate. I wanted to jump off the table and strangle him. But I thought if I did, he might not do the surgery.

I hope everyone is well. I go back to the doctor for a check up tomorrow. Hopefully he'll say he dosen't want to see me anymore. I might ask him for a referral to a dermatalogist for the redness from the steri strips. But like Annie said, after all that devastation from Katrina, I shouldn't complain about some redness. I'm pooping all by myself and really, that's all that matters.

Cheers,
Zoe
Posted 8/31/2005 8:12 PM (GMT 0)

Yes, Katrina is a major thing and I thank god I dont live there.  It was kinda ironic because Monday night the mayor or someone was on the TV saying "we escaped a direct hit and there is no catastrophic damage."  I said to Kevin how in the world can they tell, its too soon.  Sure enough I was right... it looks like the whole city of New Orleans is going to be lost... how sad!

Annie - your idea about pnuemonia is half right.  The pneumonia shot only prevents against a certain type of pneumonia, one that affects those people who are already respiratorily compromised.  The average person under the age of 60 does not benefit from the shot.  The majority of post surgery pneumonia is because the patient didn't do what they were supposed to.  In other words, everyone having surgery needs to work on coughing and deep breathin after surgery to prevent  this type of immobility pnuemonia.

Just got back from my presentation... they loved it.  Even the higher up people seemed impressed with my organizational skills!  YEAH!

Hugs,

Emma

Posted 9/1/2005 12:14 AM (GMT 0)
Amira - Yes, it has been 2 months since my surgery and no, I have not seen any blood. Two days after I got home I thought it was but realized it was watermelon. I use catcher at times because I am still curious. I want to make sure all is coming out. Because like you, I still can't believe it is coming out at all. I think I will be a "cloest" looker from now on. I still have a problem with feeling the urge to go. I usally rely on the fullness sensation. Feeling the urge was a secondary problem for me. I will be returning to the same research doc in November to see if there is anything to do for it like bio feedback. But, if there isn't, that is ok. I am making do just fine with the pressure and fullness feeling. A 3rd problem if you will, or it can be associate with the secondary is that my rectal muscles are VERY tight.

Annie - I got pneumonia on day 2, not sure why. It was in the lower lobes of both lungs.

Lap surgery - Took 4 hours and that is because my blood pressure dropped dangerously low. The surgeon figured it would be 3-4 hours. If they are very well trained with the lap, I think that would be the way to go.

Zoe - I developed large blisters from the steri stips. They filled and broke open. I put antibiotic cream on them and now they are scarred a little. But, hell I won't be wearing a thong bikini anytime soon and I have sex in the dark so it doesn't matter that much.

Scar issue - I was at the dermatologist today(had a open pore removed) and asked him about my little scars, he suggested vitamin E lotion. Also made an appointment for another round of injections to get rid of my blue spider viens.

Cathy - Get the defocography !!!

Kelly
Posted 9/1/2005 12:19 AM (GMT 0)

Thank you all so much for keeping me in your prayers....is anyone around the St. Louis area?  I would love to have a pro by my side.  I will be at the Washington University in St. Louis-Barnes Jewish Hospital.  St. Louis is 5 hours from where I live....how far did each of you have to travel?  I have to go up October 5th (the day before surgery) for my biofeedback and pre-surgery testing.  Can anyone elaborate on pre-surgery testing?  My surgeon's medical assistant claims it is just blood work.....I would think it would be more than that, but its pretty new to me.

I wish I had some sort of medical knowledge, but all my knowledge lies in retail.  I work for Wal-Mart as a buyer in Women's Apparel.  I told my Director yesterday about my surgery.  Everyone seems very supportive and quite stunned.  I'm glad I have a month to prepare my department for my departure, but I am so jealous of your early surgery Cathy!  tongue   

Annie-why did you have to go to the emergency room?  I'm sure there will be  afew complications, but I would like to be as prepared as possible. 

Amira-if I remember correctly you are the most recent who has had surgery, right?  The idea of feeling light and airy sounds so appealing to me every hour of every day.  I'm with you Cathy....I can't wait to have surgery.

I know you've all recently had this surgery and it is a new procedure, but does anyone know the implications long term? 

Talk to you soon!

Shelbs

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