Total colectomy Part 16

Hi AJ2007, I too am a little nervous about going back to work with the number of BM's I am having. I am scheduled to go back on Sept 10th (8 weeks post surgery) I work in a hospital as a phlebotomist and I am on my feet running from patient to patient all day long.  With the rectal prolapse and bleeding I am worried I won't make it to the bathroom or will be stuck in it for long periods of time.

This question is for anyone that has had their surgery 1 year or more ago...How long did it take for you to feel completely normal again?  I find that I feel fine 1 day then all of a sudden I am tired sluggish and generally feeling crappy.  I keep thinking that this is all in my head.

AJ,
Whether or not your are going to evaucate your stools quickly or slowly depends on your body. Why are you having a TC? Do you have UC, CI, or Crohns? I had a TC for CI and rectal dysfunction. However, the surgery did not help my situation...not to say it will not help yours. My surgeon revised my TC 3 times and now I am on a bag.

So, everyone's circumstances vary. I am 9 days out of surger, and I plan to go back in 4 weeks (I am a fitness instructor). I walked 2 miles today which was a great accomplishment. I was very slow...it took me 35 minutes to walk 2 miles but in time, I will be back to full strength!

Feeling a little better everyday,
Amey

Jaclyn
Are you having excessive bleeding out of your rectum? Have you talked to your dr about that? That sounds horribly painful.

Jaclyn
Why do you have fissures? I had them constantly because I had to push so hard to evacuate my stools. They are quite painful.

April How are you feeling now that you have been home from the hospital for several days? Are the pains getting any better? I know it is weird but I think of many of the people in this forum ofter - like you are extended family that I have never met.

Amey

April,

I am sorry you are not feeling completely well. I am feeling better...I am still very sore. After this surgery I honesly feel like someone beat the crap out of my back and stomach with a baseball bat! I am so sore! I have refused pain meds since the day after surgery because I wanted to walk and not sleep all day. I did take 1 Aleve today because I cannot handle this pain much longer. I am walking. I walked 2.2 miles today. It took me 45 minutes (LOL) but I did it.

Is there anything your dr's can do for you? What are your current symptoms?

Hi all,

I haven't been able to post for the last few days, but I have been thinking of everyone here. I've been working hard to get everything caught up at work before I go out, plus it's our towns annual Fall Festival next weekend and I've been going to meetings for that too.

It's good to see that most of us are feeling pretty darn good. I'm doing okay I guess. Still doing my Friday night clean out with the magnesium citrate. I have noticed that each time it's taking longer and longer to work and isn't doing a very good job. Thank God I only have a couple more weeks to go.  

Resa

The lightheadedness when you're moving your head/neck could be caused by an inner ear infection or positional vertigo.

April

Sorry to hear that both you and your 6-year-old aren't feeling well. Sounds like a lay around and watch movies weekend for two. I hope you both feel better soon!

Amey

Wow! Two miles...I think that's great no matter how long it took you. Way to go! 

 APRIL - You and I sound so much alike post-op in several ways.  I too have a very high tolerance for pain and require much more powerful pain medications.  I also dealt with some type of stomach virus about three weeks out which was no fun at all.  My rear was on the toilet with a trash can on my lap for an entire week.  I finally called the surgeon to see what I could take and he said "Pepto" - although it's gross it did help, so in case you do catch what your son has, keep that in mind.  It will cause your stool to look black but it's the good old "Pepto"!! 

I can also relate to not bounching right back for SEVERAL weeks.  I'm no stranger to surgeries and this was by far beyond my expectations.  Don't get discouraged though, you will start to feel better, it just takes time.  If it helps, it was a good 12 weeks before I even began to think "this is much better" and an good 16 weeks before I was pain and mostly tender free.  This was a huge surgery and everyone heals in their own time!!

AMEY - I know all to well that that "beaten" feeling and it's no fun at all.  Congrats on your walking!!  Was your colectomy due to Colonic Inertia?  What kind of tests did you have before surgery?  Did your GI recommend the surgery or a colorectal specialist?  I know these are a lot of questions but it sounds as if one day you were in your GI's office and the next week you were in surgery, which in your case wasn't successful and you were dealt a different hand than originally expected.  You don't have to answer my questions, I'm just wondering if your doctor jumped the gun in removing your colon without all the proper tests being performed.

EVERYONE ELSE - I hope you're all doing well and getting better with each passing day.    

Stuck42long,

I am going to attempt to answer your questions.  Do not feel bad about asking questions...ever.  It helps me to know that you are concerned enough to ask and maybe my answers will help others who suffer like I did.

Was your colectomy due to Colonic Inertia? I believe so, but they never called it CI, they said "slow motility" or "lazy intestines."

What kind of tests did you have before surgery?  I cannot think of them all..defocography, anal manometry, 7-day transit study, nuclear transit study, gastric empty, lower GI exam, sigmodoscopy, and more that I cannot recall.  And ofcourse my bathroom and kitchen cabinets look like a pharmacy because of all of the medications I have been on. 

Did your GI recommend the surgery or a colorectal specialist? My colorectal surgeon is Dr. Jorge Marcet.  He is in one of the top 1% of surgeon and teaches other surgeons all around the world. My GI Dr told me that since I was in the best hands money could buy, I should defer to my surgeon's recommendations.  I was fortunate to have my surgeon.  Another surgeon, who operated on me in 2005, gave strick orders that I needed to see Dr. Marcet and no other physician! He called around and got me an appt to see my surgeon because the waiting list is about 6 months long. I was VERY BLESSED!

I know these are a lot of questions but it sounds as if one day you were in your GI's office and the next week you were in surgery, which in your case wasn't successful and you were dealt a different hand than originally expected.  

This is true; however, I have ill for 7 years.  My GI specials and my surgeon know me very well.  I had surgery in 6/ 2001, 9/2005, 6/2006, and now 8/2007.  They know my situation and have so many tests on file that they did not need to run many more.  This was my second time in the hosptial in 6 weeks and they knew they needed to ask fast.  The TC had not worked, revising the TC did not work, so the last option was an Ileostomy.

Booty,

My back hurts BAD!  It has never hurt after surgery but this time it hurts more than my stoma and my incision!  It is hard to sleep, sit up, walk, and drive.  I was hoping this was going to pass soon because had surgery 11 days ago.  After reading your post, I am very nervous.

I hope your back feels better.  Is there something laying on a nerve in your back? Is there a nerve test that can be done?

 

Irish-Mom,

I saw you wrote that your surgery is in a couple weeks. When in Sept. is it? Mine is on the 6th, and I am starting this week packing my bags (the hospital is quite a ways away). We will be leaving the Tues. before my surgery which is only a week away, I am getting very excited and nervous. It is crazy to think that I am going to feel better (Lord willing) in just a few more weeks. Good luck with your surgery, and I will be praying for a speedy recovery just as I have been mine.

Hi Everyone,

Irishmom - I do suffer from Vertigo but I have never had it during the day time only at night. I did call the advise nurse of my HMO and she also said it mostly likely is Vertigo and informed me to take my pills. I have been taking the Meclizine but so far it has not helped. I am thankful it is not a severe case.

Bootynoworky - I am sorry to hear you are having pain in your back. I have suffered from low back pain since 1990 when I had a disc bulge, but the TC surgery did not make the pain any worse than before. Before surgery I had my left leg hurt me, at times severe, but since surgery it has been about 95% better. I'm thinking that perhaps my colon was sitting on a nerve causing the leg pain.

Amey - I am so glad to hear you are doing better with each day. You say it takes you 35 minutes to walk two miles and that is going slow. Hey, that is my regular time. It takes me about 35 to 40 minutes to walk two miles. I guess I could put a little more speed into it. Anyway, I am glad you are recovering well.

The last two weeks I have been home nursing my toe. I had surgery on it. Sitting around the house I managed to lose another 6 pounds. This makes a total of 44 pounds lost since my TC surgery on March 12. I still need to lose 21 more pounds. At this rate of loss I should have it gone by April 2008 if all goes well. After I get to my pre 10/2002 weight I would like to lose an additional 15 pounds but that is not important.

For those who are about to have surgery you will feel better. I diffinitely did. Since my surgery I feel better with each day.

AJ2007

My surgery is scheduled for the 10th. It was originally scheduled for the 5th, but the doctor had a medical symposium to go to the next day and he doesn't want to be away for awhile after my surgery so it was rescheduled. The hospital called yesterday and I now have my preop phone interview next Wednesday. My hospital is about 90 miles from home. It's in the Bay Area which is over the hill from us. It's a good things this surgery is happening soon because the magnesium citrate I take every Friday is starting to not work. I'll be thinking about you on the 6th and wish you all the best.

Resa

Believe it or not, there are specific exercises for vertigo sufferers. I'll bring a copy of it home from work today and post it for you tonight.