Total colectomy part 17

Hello April --

I've been reading your posts and just want you to know that this is a great place to find support and help.  Whether it is just answering specific questions or giving BIG HUGS, we all are lurking around this forum to some reason.  We are a good sounding board for you.  Keep your chin up and keep posting, I care.

Hi April, I absolutely know how you're feeling - I too have been dealing with some issues physically and mentally and due to me being manic depressive, I've had some similar thoughts.  But, I think of my daughter and my daddy and know I could NEVER put them thru the aftermath of my weakness!!!  I know first hand how and what tragedy does to a family.  My brother was murdered in cold blood 22 years ago - my parents never recovered and a piece of me was taken with him.  The best advise I can give you is PRAY - when we are at our weakest the Lord will make a way - He is our refuge and He WILL make a way - just TRUST in Him!!!

Stephanie, I can also relate to you - for the past several days I've been bloated and so tender in my lower abdomen (where my female organs used to be) and just holding my lower abdomen give me support - enought to get me thru.

I will say that my husband has NEVER supported my decision to have this surgery and that's a hard pill to swallow at times.  I'm absolutely no stranger to surgery - as I suffered for years with endometriosis and I've had at least 13 lap surgeries, one open, and finally a total hysterectomy three years ago.  It really seems that my entire life has revolved around pain.  Like I've mentioned here - I've dealt with constipation all the way back when I was a toddler and we here know the pain and discomfort it causes.  I'm 11 months post-op on my TC. 

I hope everyone is doing good in their healing process and for those awaiting the surgery, life will soon be better for you. 

AMEY - Thank you for your kind words and thoughts.  Thank you for sharing your walk with Christ!!!  Unfortunately the man who did this to my brother served 2 1/2 years of a 10 year sentence.  The state did not want to "waste" money on a trial and plea bargained with him.  I cannot for the life of me understand that the state thought my brother's life AND death was a "waste" of money.  He was only 24 when his life was taken and I will forever miss him along with the hundred (literally) friends he had.  The saddest part is my daughter never got the opportunity to meet him.  He and I were only 13 months apart in age and we were very, very close.  He was very protective of me and was like my personal body guard LOL!!  I'm so blessed that I have so many wonderful memories of him - something NO ONE can EVER take away.  His life may have been short but his memories will live on for many, many years!!

I absoluetly love everyone here!!  It amazes me how much others care for each other here and we never feel like a stranger - rather - family and friends!!!!

Amey, I live in the "wonderful" Show Me State of Missouri.  As for as the guy who did this to my brother - he was originally indicted for second degree murder.  It was quite evident when this went to the grand jury they had the right idea.  However, under the table this guys attorney was able to get the charges dropped down to voluntary manslaughter.  That's a far cry from second degree murder.  The entire case in my opinion was a slap in the face.  I have absolutely NO trust in our judicial system!!!  You are correct, this guy will face his day in a higher court, a court that is free of plea bargains!!  For the first few years I held resentment and hatred toward this man, however, I have forgiven him, as did my mom and dad.  I cannot expect God to forgive me for my transgressions if I'm not able to forgive others for theirs.  I'm a firm believer that God had a purpose for this and only He holds the entire puzzle.  We on the other hand have been given only pieces of the puzzle.  My brother's death was fast and he didn't suffer and that in itself is a blessing.  He was stabbed in the throat and his corroded artery (don't know who to spell it) was severed causing him to drown in his own blood within minutes.  Well, I guess this should be enough about this here.  Thanks so much for your thoughts - they are very much appreciated!!!

How is everyone else doing?  I'm hoping all is well and good with everyone!!!

April, Thank you for your thoughts - yes it was very difficult thing to go thru and I did see it thru.  Thanks for the pretty poem - it really holds so much truth!!!  How are you feeling?  Are things getting any better at all for you?

April:  Is it normal for a patient who has had a TC to be running to the bathroom like you have?  That can't be any better then living with constipation.  This is something I am worried about.  It's like pick your poison, constipation, or chronic diarreha.

If you were to eat cheese, or a banana, something constipating, would it help?

Lindsay

Well today was the day...I went back to work. I had tons of stuff in my in basket too. It took me four hours just to do the stuff that nobody else knew how to do and left it for me. The doc and the staff all gave me hugs and welcomed me back. Made me feel good.

Okay, now for my questions. I had the TC on 9/10. I still have issues and sometimes can't go. The surgeon said it's because the anastomosis opening is the size of his pinkie and will gradually open over the next three to four months. That's when I have to go for a colonoscopy and possible balloon dilatation if it hasn't opened. Anyway, because of this any stool that isn't runny can't get past the anastomosis. The doc I work for give me some Colace to try and keep things soft. This didn't work. I have found out that prunes will work and that eating 15 seems to be the magic number to get things moving along. I don't know why, but tonight I looked at what's coming out. It was my lunch from today and everything that I ate on Sunday. It looked the exact same way it went in. Is this normal? I've also tried FiberSure and that doesn't do anything for me either. I obviously don't want to take any laxatives and I'm wondering if there is anything else you guys can suggest.

Other than that, I hope and pray that everyone is doing well.

Robin...see that just scares me!!! I don't want to have that happen to me.  Really, if you get constipated once your large intestine is removed, then what was the point of having it removed, KWIM?  You sound like you are in the same boat I am in now, and I haven't even had a TC. 

I want to go back to college, and while my 5 enema's every 4 days is a pain in the ass...literally, at least I can control when I do it and if I still feel sick, I know I can take a few dulcolax and be cleaned out.  I want to have a life after the TC, not be worried about why I am constipated again, or if my anastomsis is too narrow for stool to pass, or if I am going to have diarrhea all my life. 

This decision is becoming harder and harder after I read these posts.  I was 90% sure about having the TC last week, now I am about 75% sure I want the surgery.

Plus, watching a video of the surgery on the internet last night really didn't help. I almost fainted watching it.  It is just a lot of trauma to the body. 

I am so glad that you are happy that you made the decision to have the TC; hopefully I will be that confident after next Tuesday.

Lindsay

Thanks for the reply. I have stopped the fiber...it was giving me gas really bad. I guess I'll just stick to the prunes for now. Actually, I got some at the grocery store that were a lot smaller than the ones at Costco. I ate 20 and it worked great! I went but it was soft and not watery at all. I also found something else that worked that was actually funny. I was running late this morning and ended up getting lunch at McDonalds. I got a McChicken sandwich and a chicken ranch wrap. I was going within an hour of eating it. Kind of funny but the prunes are a cheaper alternative. LOL  I do have an appointment with my GI on the 29th. My PCP (also my boss) wants to see what the GI thinks about the anastomosis opening time, etc.

Lindsay

I also wanted to say not to let what I'm dealing with scare you. My surgeon has told me that it's 'normal' for the anastomosis to take three to four months to open. I don't regret having the surgery one bit and would do it again in a heartbeat. My problem could also be because of my rectum which is now only two inches long. Other than that, I feel great!

Lindsay,

I'm sorry you are having such a bad time with your doctor.  Maybe the surgeon will be more knowledgeable and more into him patients.  Good luck with your surgeon.  Hang in there.

I sat in the bathroom alot right after surgery, but now I only have 2-3 bowel movements a day and am so grateful that I had this surgery.  I walk alot and chew my food well.  For all of you that are happy that you had this surgery, you're right.  For me it has changed my life for the better.  I'm eating lots healthier and I found that deep fried food and greasy food doesn't taste good to me anymore.  I was a size 18 and am now in a size 12.  I love it!  I have a reason to shop and everyone loves the new me.  Me, too..

I too have bipolar disorder, but I've never been happier or healthier in my life.  I'm exercising which is great for our disorder and with my psychiatrist have been able to reduce my meds.  For years I've needed meds to help me sleep, and now I fall asleep after hitting my pillow.  After so many years battling mostly depressive episodes, it is so wonderful to really feel happy inside.  I've seen the same counselor off and on for over 8 years.  He cannot believe the positive changes in me, and pre-surgery I cried for a month because I was so scared inside about the surgery and what ifs?

I used to love chocolate.  Sugar free little round dove chocolate will make you definitely have a bowel movement.  Don't take many at a time though, because they do have a laxative effect..  I used to drink lots of milk too, and now it makes me sit in the bathroom.

I can't stress enough for all of you with this surgery, keep on walking.  Even if you're tired, and you will be after this surgery, keep on walking.  My surgeon looking in my eyes told me that walking had to be a permanent part of my life.  He said for us with a motility disorder and total colectomies, it was the most important thing that we can do to keep ourselves well.  I listened because he is probably the most respected colon surgeon in the world.  He performs surgery, teaches colorectal surgeries to doctors in numerous countries, and is the President of a Colorectal Organization of over 6,000 doctors.  He has written colorectal textbooks, articles, given presentations, numerous studies and I can't tell you how many other things.  He is all over the internet and I would never ever put my trust in any other colorectal surgeon.  He is that dedicated, respected, and good.

Lori