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Total Colectomy Part 7

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Posted 12/26/2005 11:36 PM (GMT 0)

I feel a bit like I did when I finally got up the nerve to step out onto the edge of the high dive...all my friends were at the bottom smiling and telling me to jump. I knew it would feel great once I did it, but that first step was a doozy! So here I am on the 19th floor of my hotel looking across town at the Baylor complex, reading all your encouraging words, and that's what comes to mind..."just jump!" (Of course, that could be my subconscious telling me it would be better to just kill myself than go thru with this tongue )

Sasha, I'll try to get my husband to post some updates here for you especially...I know how eager for information I've been to have as little surprise as possible. He will be staying with me at the hospital, and he has his handy dandy laptop, so I'm absolutely sure he'll be online somewhere...

Things are moving right along with the prep. I'm starting to have the upswing (I hope)...the nausea and severe bloating seem to be decreasing. So I'm just playing the waiting game until tomorrow morning.

It's a beautiful sunset here...the high was 81! Unusual, even for us Texans and the rest of the week should be more of the same! Hopefully it's against the laws of nature to have a surgery go wrong during such beautiful weather...

Oops...bathroom duty calls...

Posted 12/27/2005 2:17 AM (GMT 0)

Hope everyone had a Happy Holiday(s)!! 

Lesa, it only gets better from here, you just have to look through the mud and the muck, good and bad to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Hope your recovery is smooth as butta!

Sasha, good luck with you also, I think all of us here know exactly what thoughts and feelings you are having.  We are here for ya!

~Somer

Posted 12/27/2005 11:37 PM (GMT 0)
Lesa- we're thinking of you!!!

Cathy
Posted 12/28/2005 4:57 PM (GMT 0)

Im back from Christmas, and what an event it was.  My bi suprise present was that MIL got me tickets to the Trans Siberian Orchestra.  Only problem, it was the day after Christmas and I always go shopping with my mother.  So I thought I had everything moved around and everyone was happy.  So I went out with Mom yesterday, and at the end of the day she starts making a big deal out of stupid things, and said I never wanted to go and I did it as a favor to her and so on... and kinda starts yelling at me and being really rude.  She starts going on about my disrpecting her, and I am just devasted because I am a VERY respectful daughter.  So anyways, dad got involved... and after I swear like FOUR HOURS of discussing and therapy (haha!) everything is fine.  The down side is that I didnt get home until 2am last night... I am tired... cranky and have a horrid headache!  BUT i have to get some cleaning today, because i INSISTED my fiance bring up all of the christmas boxes from the basement so that I could get some cleaning done today... now I am soo tired I dont even wanna do it!

Anyways... thats my story!  Aside from that Christmas is wonderful.  I had a nice time... dont really care for his sister alot she is a spoiled brat... but I know how to deal with her!

Lesa - Good luck, you are in my thoughts and prayers right now and I am anxiously awaiting an update!

Sasha - welcome to the group!  You have stumbled onto the most wonderful and supportive group in the WORLD.  Good luck with your surgery!

Amira, Cathy, and Somer - hope everyone had a wonderful holiday! Thank you so much for your support and friendship!

Hugs,

Emma

Posted 12/28/2005 8:49 PM (GMT 0)

Hi everyone, sorry I haven't posted in a while.  There are so many new people---welcome.

I had my third colonoscopy with dilitation yesterday.  I was hoping it would be the last one, but some of the scar tissue grew back so I have to go again in April.  I'm doing okay.  My rear end is so sore from the runny stools.  I've been putting A&D cream on it.  It works as well as any prescription I've had.  I need to do some real serious reading of the posts.  I'll get back to ya'all soon.

Love,

Zoe

Posted 12/28/2005 9:35 PM (GMT 0)
Zoe- welcome back, we've missed you. I hope you had a merry xmas and I'm glad you're doing okay. Are you able to eat more foods now? Are you gaining any weight? I hope so on both accounts.

Emma- the nice thing about coming home is you get to leave troubles behind. Then it's up to you if you answer your phone. Stress isn't good for you right now, you're kinda still in recovery. Enjoy the holiday break, it doesn't last very long.

Hello to everybody else. I hope ya'll are doing well.

Love,

Cathy
Posted 12/29/2005 2:01 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Everyone- Only five more days until my surgery. I went on Tuesday for all my preop stuff. I am just ready to get this over with and start feeling better. How is everyone else feeling? I wonder how Lesa is doing. I hope you all have a Happy New Year!!


Blessings,
Sasha
Posted 12/29/2005 2:08 PM (GMT 0)
Hey everyone, glad everyone's Christmas was good.  Mine was ok.  Zoe, glad everything has continued to go ok with your dilations.  Hopefully you will be back to "normal" in no time flat.  Sasha, hope everything goes well w/ you , we will all be thinking of you.  Hope Lesa is doing well. 

~Somer

Posted 12/29/2005 10:37 PM (GMT 0)
Hey everyone,

Glad to hear everyone had a wonderful christmas.  Sorry to be gone so long.  I had a bad few weeks.  I have been so sick. I'm still anxiously awaiting my appointment with my surgeon in Feb. The last few weeks everything I eat comes back up.  Been back in for more tests but they say there is no blockages. My GI dr tried to get my appointment with the surgeon moved up but the surgeon said there is no way he can fit me in earlier.  The prep is tearing my stomache up.  I'm on a liquid diet again and using only soapy water enamas.

Emma- glad to hear you did really well on your finals. 

Hope everyone else is doing well.

Hate to cut this short but i'm not feeling well I'm going back to my bed.

Mary J

Posted 12/29/2005 11:56 PM (GMT 0)
Hey everybody.

I've been busy working. My husband has been pushing me tooooo hard. The clinic is busy with strep, flu, colds etc. He's glad I'm here, but I'm exhausted. This is the fourth long day in a row. Last night I was in bed before 8:00pm. I just couldn't stay up any longer.

Mary- I'm sorry you've been not feeling well. There is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Sasha- hang in there. It won't be much longer.

I hope Lesa is doing well.

I have to run, I have patients waiting. I write again soon.

Cathy
Posted 12/30/2005 2:35 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Everybody,

I was wondering what all do I need to bring to the hospital? I read that some of you brought the Cottonelle Wipes,is that all? Mary- I sure hope you feel better soon. Cathy-don't get runned down due to the colds and viruses. I have been taking extra -C so I won't get sick before my surgery. Everyone stay healthy!
Have a good night.

Blessings,
Sasha
Posted 12/30/2005 4:43 AM (GMT 0)

Lesa asked me to post this for her and watch the forum for her.  She wanted me to tell you all that she had her surgery Tuesday afternoon and it went well.  She has been hurting a lot but is much better today.

Todd

Posted 12/30/2005 4:13 PM (GMT 0)
Todd- thanks for letting us know how she's doing. Thank goodness that all went well. We've all been praying for her.

Sasha- don't forget the Charmin. Hospital toilet paper sucks. That and the Cottonells wipes. That's all you'll need. You won't want to use PJ's, oddly enough the gown works better. You might want your usual beauty supplies like tooth brush/paste, etc.

I'm at work again. I can't believe how busy we've been. Doesn't everyone realize that it's a holiday week?

Talk to ya'll later,\

Cathy
Posted 12/30/2005 4:53 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Todd, I am glad the surgery went well. Tell Lesa we have been praying for her, and we hope the pain will subside.

Cathy- Thanks for the info about what to take to the hospital. I will bring the nessasary essentials.

Hope everyone has a very Happy New Year!

Blessings,
Sasha
Posted 12/31/2005 3:47 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Ladies and Gentleman (finally),

 

I just wanted to take a minute to wish you all a very happy New Year.  I'm so grateful for having you all in my life.  I know you know what a tremendous support system you've all been.  I feel like I've made life-long friends.  Thanks for always being there, for me and for others.  I'm honored to be in the Total Colectomy Club -- maybe we should get T-shirts :-)

 

Emma, just want to tell you not to hold back devil

 

Todd, thanks so much for keeping us informed, but we need more detail, and please tell Lesa that the pain will subside before she knows it, and that she will soon realize that this was the best health decision she's ever made.  Our prays and thoughts are with her.

 

Sasha and Mary J, hang in there.  Your turns will come before you know it.

 

Zoe, glad you're doing better and getting rid of that scartissue.

 

Cathy, you have to learn to just say, "NO!"  Remember, you're still recovering as well.

 

Somer, always a pleasure to hear from you.

 

And Sara, where have you been?

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

 

Love, Amira

 

 

Posted 12/31/2005 6:35 AM (GMT 0)

Hey everyone,

 I feel much better today. Thank you everyone for your encouraging words.  I know my time will come but it gets so frustrating waiting.  I'm not sure I could handle the wait with out everyone here to talk to.   Finding this site has been a god send to me.  Everyone here has taken my fears and done away with them.  I know there is a chance of complications but seeing how everyone has bounced back and doing well has also reduced that fear also.

Cathy-  not trying to be nosy and I know you know 1000 times more than I do in the medical field, but do you use anything on your skin before you apply your wafer?  At the nursing home I work at we found that skin prep works better than the tacky stuff they give you for your wafers.  We have had less leaks on the ones that has watery stools and the skin prep seems to stop alot of the rolling up of wafers. The skin prep seems to help the wafers stick better.

I know several of you guys mentioned for us to study up on the ostomy just in case. I did not look it up because I take care of patients everyday with ileostomy and colostomies.  It is not bad to deal with and with what I am living with now, I don't care how the poo comes out as long as it comes out. I have seen patients come in sick and in bad shape that has finally been able to go in and get there ostomy.  There health has improved drastically. I'm talking patients so sick that can not do much of anything for themselves take a turn around and are up and doing everything for themselves.  They feel alot better and they are extremely happy to get there lives back. If my fate is to have the bag than I am 100 percent ok with it.

sasha- I'm praying for you for everything to get great with no complications.  I am a little jealous but extremely happy your turn has come to end this misery.  I am looking forward to when you come back online telling how much better you feel. I know in the beginning you will be a little sore but just remember the pain and soreness is just a bump in the road to you becoming one of the normal poopers.

Lesa- glad to hear your surgery went good.  I am praying you have a easy and speedy recovery.  I look forward to hearing about how much better your life has become.  Every successful story that gets put on here that someone who has this problem that runs across this site helps to ease the minds of someone else.

amira- you are exactly right.  You said the words that I think everyday.  I think about everyone on this site everyday just like I think about my family and friends I see everyday.  I look forward to hearing from everyone.  I talk about you guys all the time.  How amazing everyone on here is. You guys are my sisters.

I better get going  its 1:30 am and I have to be to work at 6:30 am for 16 hours.

Hope everyone has a wonderful New Years and a safe New years eve.

Hugs to everyone

Mary J

Posted 1/1/2006 12:08 AM (GMT 0)

Mary - sounds like you have a great attitude going into the surgery.  I have always felt that if you can deal with the worst case scenario (aside from death which is very unlikely for most surgeries) then you are going to be able to deal with the reprocussions of anything that may or may not happen!  Just remember to relax and enjoy this new year!

Just wanted to wish everyone a happy and healthy new year!  I didnt think I would feel this great after surgery, and boy is it nice to be able to go when I need to... and not feel so bloated all the time.  Although I am not at the weight or health that I would like to be at, I am going to be actively changing this in the upcoming new year!

Im off to take a quick trip up north to spend the new year with my huny and a hot tub :)  Talk to you guys soon!

Hugs,

Emma

Posted 1/1/2006 9:36 PM (GMT 0)
Happy New Year Everyone- I just started my 2 day prep and It is going better than I thought it would. The nurse I spoke to at my preop told me to drink the go lytely with Tang.She told me to put the straw at the back of my throat and suck, that way my taste buds can't taste the grossness. I made my family a New Years dinner today,not that I get to have any.

Ok we need an update on how Lesa is going? Emma- have fun on your trip. Thanks everyone for all the advice and encouragement.

ok got to run- potty's calling LOL

Blessings to all,
Sasha
Posted 1/1/2006 9:39 PM (GMT 0)

I just have to laugh, because I tell EVERYONE to drink it with Tang... if you put 4 scoops of Tang in you almost cant even taste it! :)  Good luck dear... put some cream on that bottom or it will get sore!

Hugs,

Emma

Posted 1/1/2006 10:25 PM (GMT 0)

Lesa is doing much, much better.  Her pain is getting better and she is decreasing  the pain meds eversoslightly, and she is walking 4 to 5 times a day.  They took out her rectal and bladder tubes Friday and her NG Tube out this morning.  We are still awaiting a significants BM.  That seems to be the next big hurtle.  Doc says she is doing fine and the nurses say she is doing better than most they have seen.  She will probably post herself a little later, because she really wants to give Sasha an extensive update.  However right now she is pretty stoned and in and out.

Sasha, if you have any questions, I would be glad to try and answer them for you.

Todd

Posted 1/2/2006 4:00 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Todd- Did the doctor say how long she would be in there? Did she have laproscopic or was it open surgery? How long was she tubed? Did she have a subtotal or a total colectomy? I know I have a lot of questions and I am sorry to be asking so many. I finished my one day prep yeah. I have tomorrow to finish the rest. Please tell Lesa we all are praying and thinking about her.

Thanks Emma- ya buddy bottom is sore. I couldn't really taste it with the Tang, it was just the thickness that almost made me gag.

Gotta Run Litterly,
Sasha
Posted 1/2/2006 5:37 PM (GMT 0)
Hang in there Sasha.  You're almost there.  This was the hardest day for me.  I thought surgery day would never get here.  To make matters worse, my surgery was in the afternoon, so I had to wait all morning the day of surgery too. UGH!!  You are going to feel really depleated and dehydrated today and tomorrow morning, but this too shall pass.  You're going to be fine.  You have to keep the faith.  This week will be tough, but not as tough as what you've been living through.  You CAN do it. 

I hope Lesa continues to improve.

Happy New Year everyone.  We all know that 06 will be better than 05!!!  It only gets better from here.

I'll write again soon, I have a patient waiting.

Cathy

Posted 1/2/2006 6:42 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Kathy- I appreciate the support from you and everyone else. I am just trying to get everything together today. I have to wash clothes and pack. I am really tired though. How are you feeling Kathy? I hope this will be a great year for everyone. I great recovery year. Where does everyone live? I live in Savannah Georgia. Maybe in the new year we can all get together and meet. Well I will be checking back in, in a while.

Blessings to all,
Sasha
Posted 1/2/2006 7:11 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone, im new to this but have questions.im scheuled to have total colectomy the 10th and im scared. This forum helps alot my husband found it and sent to me.Please tell me what to expect. Thanks confused
Posted 1/2/2006 7:53 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Helensc,
Welcome to the group. We've all come here for help and support. We've all been scared too. Sasha has her surgery tomorrow. Well, what to expect? That's a good question. For starters, we tell everyone to read back a few of the Total Cholectomy Parts, esp. 3, 4, & 5. It takes a little while, but the information is invaluable. I read all the way back starting on Part 1. I wanted to know everything I was getting into. Then I felt up to speed.

After surgery, you'll have some pain. Maybe a morphine pump. You'll start on clear liquids and progress as tolerated. They are looking for the first stools to pass. Initially most of us have been on low residue diets when going home. Hospital stay usually around 5-7 days. about 6 weeks recovery time after that.

Not trying to be nosey but what's the diagnosis for the TC? That helps with the "what to expect". Most of us have/had colonic inertia, but that's not the only reason for this surgery.

Ask questions, we'll all try to answer them. No one else REALY understands.

Cathy
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