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My Ileostomy is Tomorrow.

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Posted 12/11/2007 9:01 AM (GMT 0)
The progress continues. :) Up to solid foods, yummy :) No more "button" :( battle of the bags, burst ahead by a wide margin :( Coping better :) feeling hopeful :)
Posted 12/11/2007 9:22 AM (GMT 0)
I'm so glad for you, rest well too, and i know in hospital they told me that walking was the best thing to get everything back to normal.

Gillian.
Posted 12/12/2007 7:04 PM (GMT 0)
I've been away, but I'm so glad to hear of your progress. Stay positive!!!
Posted 12/12/2007 11:08 PM (GMT 0)
That is great news. Coping with a bag just takes a little practice. You'll be a pro in no time. I am glad you finally get to eat solid food. It is amazing how good hospital food can taste when you haven't had food in a while. I remember when I had to go 15 days without solid food and my husband looked at me with a horrid face and said, "Are you actually going to eat THAT?". I said, "heck ya"! It was some kind of mystery looking beef with green beans and it was so YUMMY! I am sure on a full stomach it would have tasted like crud but that day, it was delicious!
Posted 12/13/2007 12:10 AM (GMT 0)
Back to square one. Yesterday after eating his breakfast David threw up again. The doctor was contacted and came to see him. He stated he wanted to take David back for emergency surgery, which he had at 1pm. I was at work and was not able to get there before he went in. He was in surgery a long time about 3 or 4 hours. The doctor found that his intestines, near the stoma was gnarled up and infected. So they removed about a foot of intestines, which required a second opening. He also re did the stoma and made it larger. While they had David under they put a tube down his throat ( can't stand the NG tube) and pumped out about a leader of gunk from his stomach and then put another tube up through the stoma through the intestines to the stomach and pumped out another leader from his intestines. Of course he is back on iv fluids and "the button" pain medicine. No fluids orally. David has been running a fever ever since and had developed a cough. I know this is normal, but it hard to watch and he is in some much more pain. The doctor said they have no idea why this has happened. It is very rare. Much of the time David thinks he is dying, but I refuse to let him. He promised if he made it through the night he would live. And he did. Thank you again for all your support. I know David will love to read all your comments when he can. Barbara
Posted 12/13/2007 1:04 AM (GMT 0)
Dear Barbara:

I'm sorry David had to go back into surgery. I can definately relate to how he is feeling,

your description brings me right back to how I felt. I know my wife can relate to how you're feeling. I know it sounds trite, but stay positive. Believe that they will figure this out and he will get better. If he needs nutrition you have the PICC line, if he feels pain, take the meds, that's what they are for. It worked for me. Keep us posted on his progress and know that we are praying for you both.

Richard

Posted 12/13/2007 1:08 AM (GMT 0)
Oh No! This is awful! My heart is breaking for you. I feel so bad that you both are going through so much. Barbara, you are such an amazing wife to keep us updated with his progress everyday. I wish I had some words of encouragement, but nothing I can say compare or ease what you are going through. This is just such an terrible dilemma. I pray that he is finally on the road to recovery and that this trial will end for you both very soon.
Posted 12/13/2007 2:47 AM (GMT 0)
Barbara,

I'm so sorry to hear of David's setback.  It sounds awful for you both.  I wish I had some magic words to send your way to ease the pain.  Please just know that you are both in our thoughts and prayers.  You're an amazing source of support for David.  Let this forum and the wonderful people here be YOUR support.

-Laura

Posted 12/13/2007 4:01 AM (GMT 0)
Barbara,

Thank you for the update on David. I'm sorry that he had to have another surgery, but am relieved that the doctors found out what the problem was and were able to fix it. You both continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.

Cecilia

Posted 12/14/2007 12:29 AM (GMT 0)
Well we have made it though another day. It was a hard night. David had been running a fever of 103 degrees. It goes up and then down and he gets the shakes. His blood pressure went down to 94/ ?. They took an x ray today and lots of blood for test. No work yet as to what may be the problem. He is not coughing a lot, but it could be phenomena. Doctor doesn't seem to know why he is having all this trouble. Just special, I guess. :) I really appreciate all of your encouragement. Knowing you all made it gives me hope. David still has his sense of humor and even sings now and again. Joyfully this has only brought us closer together. WE WILL NOT BE DEFEATED! Thank you again for all the prayer support, we really can feel it. More to come tomorrow.
Posted 12/14/2007 1:40 AM (GMT 0)
Dear Barbara:

I had my wife read through the posts on the thread and she could not believe how much your plight seems like what we went through. Your attitude is great! Keep thinking positively and look for answers. We are praying for you here in New York.

Richard

Posted 12/14/2007 8:13 AM (GMT 0)
I'm praying for you both here in Florida. eyes
Posted 12/14/2007 10:40 PM (GMT 0)

Barbara,

I just wanted to let you know that I have been reading all of your posts, tho I have responded in quite a while.  I have been crossing all of my fingers and toes for David and you.   Just wanted you both to know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.  I know you must be exhausted, but please know that we are here for you and certainly appreciate your keeping us posted on the daily happenings.  Don't forget to take care of yourself too.

 

Posted 12/15/2007 12:18 AM (GMT 0)
Desperately looking for the good in the horrible. David has phenomena in his right lung. With the second surgery, high fever, high blood pressure and all he has had a very high pulse rate, so they moved him to the cardiac ward to monitor his heart. I think the worse is that one or more of his medication causes paranoia dilutions. Last night was the worst yet. He didn't know where he was, even though the new room looks exactly like the room he has been in all along, and thought he was in a battle. He felt like he was in prison because he could eat or drink and could not get up out of bed. His sleep was filled with nightmares and so was very fitful. But today I have seen some improvement. He has been consistently putting out stuff from his stoma and the doctor said he could have clear liquids. I am having to keep close track of it because it is filling up so fast. David has slept very hard today almost all day, which I am very great full for. I even think is fever is down. So there are things to be thankful for. I am thankful every day he makes it alive. I know this is not suppose to be a life treating surgery, but so much has gone wrong, I have wondered. And I know David has. So glad you are all there. I feel like I have some place safe you unload and be understood. I can't thank you enough. See you all tomorrow. Barbara
Posted 12/15/2007 1:13 AM (GMT 0)
PS: David called my just after I had finished my daily update. David's doctor said it was okay to go back to the surgery ward where David feels better and feels like he has some control. That is encourage to get up and move and try to get out of the hospital. I know he will sleep a lot better tonight. I know I have to take care of my self but I feel better knowing he is getting the proper care and he knows secure knowing I have not abandoned him in a place were he feels so venerable. I will catch up on my rest soon. Thank you for your concern. I am just happy for some good news again. Barb
Posted 12/15/2007 1:17 AM (GMT 0)
Each little bit of good news is such a joy.  Good for David and you that he gets to go back to the surgery ward.  Please do keep us informed... and let David know that we are thinking of him.

Posted 12/15/2007 2:38 AM (GMT 0)
I have been a guest here for 2 weeks now and just registered to let you know I have been following your story and my prayers go out to the both of you. I feel like I know a lot of you already. Someday I will tell my story.I will continue to watch this post and pray for David.
Posted 12/15/2007 3:06 AM (GMT 0)

Dear Barbara:

Sorry it has been rocky but the last bit seemed so hopeful. I too had delusions from the drugs. I was NPO for so long and going in and out of different scarry dreams. But it sounds like David might be coming around. The fact that he could call on the telephone sounds great and that they want him to get up and walk around sounds positive. Take care of yourself too Barbara. It's a team effort and you've got to get your rest too so that you can continue to help in his recovery.

Keep posting and we'll keep praying.

Richard

Posted 12/15/2007 3:38 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Barbara,

I was away for a bit so I was bumbed when I saw the updated posts. For what it's worth, I had colostomy surgery back in '89. and though I was emotionally not ready for it, i was strong as on ox within 2 weeks. Yet when my colostomy had to be turned into an ileostomy in '04 it took me 5 months to recover and I had 3 additional hospital stays within that time period due to weakness and extrme dehydration. It was a tough time for me both physically and emotionally. The doctors couldn't quite figure out what the problem was. Then, like turning on a switch, my body began to heal and get stronger and stronger every day. I'm sure your husband will turn the corner soon and everything will be fine. Please keep us posted.

Posted 12/15/2007 4:40 AM (GMT 0)
well sounds like it is turning around for the better again, i hope it stays that way, i always look for this post to see how he is doing. those drugs can mess you up, i kept seeing this rabbit and freaking out. Hopefully once he gets off some of the drugs that will help. and it's great that he is getting some output and having liquids! anyway, i will keep him in my prayers.
Posted 12/16/2007 12:59 AM (GMT 0)
Not much progress today. Still fever, blotting, pain, high blood pressure and pulse rate. Stoma has slowed down it's output the same as after the first surgery when liquids were added. Will do a cat scan in a few days if not much progress. They are going to go to a pain patch because the button doesn't do the trick (I think David falls asleep after a few pumps of the button and then what ever progress in getting about the pain is lost). More tomorrow.
Posted 12/16/2007 3:23 AM (GMT 0)

Dear Barbara:

The fentanol patch will give him slow and steady pain relief as opposed to the intermitant button. I was on the patch for a time. The CAT scan will hopefully show things are progressing. Prayers are going out for you and David.

Richard

Posted 12/16/2007 8:28 AM (GMT 0)
Barbara,
I hope this second surgery fixed the problem. Is he on IV liquids? The high pulse rate may be from dehydration. Usually a fever means there's an infection somewhere. Is he on IV antibiotics? The pain patch sounds so much better than the pump. After surgery, I would also press the button and then fall asleep. I hope that David gets better very soon, so he can be home with you for Christmas. You are both in my thoughts and prayers.
Cecilia
Posted 12/17/2007 1:20 AM (GMT 0)
This next segment of our story is just to horrible to be hilarious. It started of course in the middle of the night when David was awoken with extreme, sharp pain. The nurses determined that it must be gas and that there was nothing they could do and suggested he got for a walk. This happened repeatedly through the night. Later in the morning I left to go to church and update all of our friends. I check my phone and found that David had called. I called him and he said he could not explain but just to come as soon as I can. Well, here is what I found out. David kept having the feeling that he had to go the bathroom and take a dump, but how could that be possible. We had been told by the ostome nurse before surgery that the surgeon would flush the colin. Well David ended up, excuse the language, but he crap from in his bed, all across the floor and to the toilet, where he promptly filled it up. For a while he was craping in two places at the same time. Now I don't think that was suppose to happen. They told us that he could have just a little discharge. Not the second flood of Noah. Now wonder he has been in so much pain. But, wait, that ain't all. They have removed most of his staples and you guessed it, infected. What more can happen? Is there any end to it? Some times David think he is dyeing and I don't blame him for feeling that way. Well we will just have to wait and see. If all of you have experienced all of this and more, I don't know if the cure is not worse than the problem and why you didn't just shoot yourself. More later, Barbara
Posted 12/17/2007 1:35 AM (GMT 0)
so how did he end up going to the bathroom like that? did they leave seomthing in?
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