TOTAL COLECTOMY - PART 21

yep taken my second sachet of it - just a glass of water and mix the powder - dont know what everyone else drinks. i felt sick afterwards.

so i will just drink fluids and eat jelly for tea. i dont want to eat anything for tea as i know the lax wont work well otherwise - i would rather feel empty and know the bowel is empty rather than risk eating a little even. i can eat something light as op not till 1pm. anyway i expect i will be on the loo all night but who cares ..we shall see.

yes my gut is real swollen. i ate two eggs and two slice of toast for lunch which is allowed.

Thanks - well i just rang them and they have a bed so this is it - see you all when i get out - take care now. xxx

Karen I am so excited for you! GOOD LUCK!! I can't wait to her from you when it all over. I will be praying for you!!

Also, Cher (Roddiesgirl) is having her surgery TODAY. I hope all goes well for her, she is having a reversal and I know she is so nervous! Praying for you also Cher!!!

Lizzie, did your x-ray make any sense to you? because it surely didn't make any sense to me. I hope they explained it to you better. How are you feeling now? I have to agree with everyone else, you are NOT too much of a complainer and we are not sick of you. That's what we are here for. Please don't feel like that. We have all felt like that at one time or another but you have to remember that that is what this site is all about. After all, who else can you complain too? LOL!!

Hodaya, I feel so bad that you don't feel well at all. It must be horrible. Have you started your psych appointments yet? The sooner you get those done the sooner you can have your surgery, right? If you started them how is it going? I was getting worried about you because I haven't heard from you on f/b in a while. I didn't know you had problems with your lungs. That would cause anyone to feel bad. Is it something that's going to get worse or is it treatable? I guess I'm not exactly sure what it is that's wrong. Could you try to explain it more? Is it like you're always sick or is it just sometimes it "flares" up?

As for me I almost hate to say anything for fear of jinxing it, but I'm doing great, both physically and emotionally. I couldn't be any better. For once I have nothing to complain about (regarding my health;) I am having problems with my ex-husband and his visitation rights with my son, but you don't want to hear about that, lol....so, I'm great! I've been waiting to feel like this forever. I kept saying I was going to start exercising and going to the gym but I never went and I didn't really mean it, but TOMORROW I'm going to the gym, right after I see my lawyer about the custody agreement. I can't wait; for the gym that is! Tomorrow I'll let you know how it went. I'll have to take it slow, I'm sure my enthusiasm will be more than I can keep up with after not working out forever.

Take care ladies, I'll check in later!

Karen,

I know you probably won't see this until after surgery, but I hope and pray everything goes well! I'm so happy that you're actually going to have your surgery this time! Good luck, and we'll all be waiting to hear how you're doing!

Lizzie,

You poor thing. You've been through so much, and have been working through it all; don't ever feel bad about venting to us. I doubt there's anyone else in your life who truly "gets it" the way people on this site do. That's what we're here for, I just hope one day soon you'll be sounding like Amanda!

Amanda,

I'm so happy for you. I know it's been a long and not so easy several months, but it sounds like you're finally making a comeback! I have no idea how I'll be feeling after surgery, but you've been through so much that it was only normal for you to feel overwhelmed. I'm glad your meds have been adjusted and you're doing well. How often do you go to the bathroom now, and what are you able to eat? You say you're feeling great, and I'm so glad. Good luck at the lawyer's with your ex....been there, done that!! LOL Many years ago though and it all worked out. I'm sure it will for you, too!

Hodaya,

You poor thing. You DO need to stop smoking, that's for sure. Luckily that's something I've never done, but I really have no self discipline, so I'm sure if I had started, I'd have a horrible time stopping, too. I'm more of a sugar and chocolate junkie, and I understand I won't be able to eat sweets after surgery the way I do now. I LOVE sweets; it's a miracle I don't weigh a ton. So I'll be having a hard time with that. Maybe we need to make a deal.....you stop smoking and I give up sweets. I know we both can do it!! I hope you hear from your Dr. soon. I know you just want to get started on getting better!

I have my pre-op on Thursday and surgery is next Wednesday. I'm both excited and very nervous. The past few times I've taken senna, it's worked great, which always makes me question my decision. It's still a horrible way to live...take a laxative and stay home all night.... I know I need this surgery, but a few weeks ago when the senna didn't work well I was feeling more sure of my decision. I know this is crazy, but I've had so much time for second guessing myself.

Wednesday is my last day of work for 2-3 months; I said I'd be back the middle of June, but if I feel well enough before, I'll go back sooner, and if I don't do well (shut my mouth!!) I can take longer. I don't have the pressure of having to go back at any certain time, but I'm hoping I'll just be home a couple months.

I did have one thing happen today that sort of surprised me. The hospital called to tell me that my Dr. sent a referral for me to see an ostomy nurse on Thursday when I come in to see where to place my stoma!! I told them there must be a mistake because I wasn't having one, and she said that it must just be a precaution in case I would need a temporary stoma. Has anyone else had this happen? I guess it makes sense, but I haven't heard anyone else say that happened to them! I know there are many worse things than having a stoma, but it just sort of shocked me when I got the call!

I guess I need to pack soon for the hospital! What do I need to take? I don't have a clue...I know there was a thread on this earlier, but I've looked back and couldn't find it. Anyone have any ideas of what I really really need to take the first couple days? I can always send my husband out for things after the first couple days.

Hope everyone else is doing well....will check back soon!!

Janie

Janie... you're such a dear, but i'm sorry, there's no way i can stop smoking right now.. i'm hoping to have a whole new start after the surgery, i'm planning on taking it very seriously then.
another thing i'm really hoping for is i read somewhere on this board before that after this surgery your usual cravings change and some ppl here who said they were addicted to some kind of food, reported they no longer crave it after the surgery, and in fact they even said they can't even smell that food anymore.. interesting? so i really hope that maybe i won't even want to smoke at all and maybe i'll even be discussed by it. but even if i'll still like smoking, i promissed myself that after the surgery i'll work on it to stop.
maybe your addiction to sweets will change too after surgery? that could be great for you, wouldn't it??

hang in there, love, and be positive. you'll be great!! don't let a couple of "good" results of the senna to fool you. besides, you did have relief, but it was WITH the laxatives, remember? you can't have this relief on your own and taking laxatives is something that can't last forever, i mean you always have to increase the dose. the amount i've reached these few last weeks is unblelievable. i can't do this anymore, no way!!
you're doing the right thing.

don't worry about the stoma nurse thing. i know... it IS an unpleasant thought least to say, but it's every hosp and their policy, and actually i know i've read here before about some other ppl on this board say they had to do it too before their surgery. like they said, it's just a precaution.

well, when i read about others advice as for what to take with you to the hosp, i wrote down the things i found important, so it's:
1. some kind of lotion (i guess they ment for the butt, but maybe it'll be good for your whole skin too, cause i hear it tends to dry real bad after the surgery.
2. sugar free hard candies - that's one of the few things you're alowed to eat right after the surgery.
3. baby wipers.
4. comfortable clothes, underwear (lots of underwear) - your abd is going to be real swollen from all the CO2 they pump you with.
5. diapers, just in case, you know.

i bet there are lots of more suggestions, so maybe others can come up with more advice.

i'm so excited for you Janie and will be praying for you, dear!!

Amanda.... something i can tell you for sure about myself is that i also have NO will power whatsoever!! no self discipline - that's me!! but yes, b/c of the chronic bronchitis and holes and the bunch of other stuff i've got in there, i'm seriously thinking of quiting it, but i'll be able to do that only after the surgery. right now it's too hard and i'm in a lot of stress too these days... it's impossible for me right now.

so interesting about the craving changes... but about the sensetivity, maybe it's just a matter of time. i hope that with time it subsides and eventually disappears.

maybe when a whole organ is taken out of the body it changes the hormons levels or something like that, that it causes a change in our sensations and stuff.. or maybe i don't know what the heck i'm talking about and it has nothing to do with hormons?

it's so great you can have raw vegies again. i remember how not too long ago you were so craving them. are peanuts and nuts alowed after surgery? cause i LOVE those. but i've read somewhere that i'll have to forget about those for the rest of my life :o( is that true?

well i know i'm gonna have a HUGE pizza before my surgery!!!!! YUMMY!!!!

Thanks so much Amanda! So you don't crave sweets? haha Actually two cookies and a bowl of ice cream doesn't seem like that much to me!! When I say I love sweets, I really mean I looove sweets....would much rather have a piece of cake or doughnut than a good breakfast. I don't always do it, but I have become completely hooked on Dunkin Donuts French Vanilla Coolatas....I work 3 days a week and pass a Dunkin Donuts on my way, so I have one every morning for breakfast. It's good to know I may be able to have them again!!

I'm at my highest at 142...I like to weigh around 130, but have gained a little over the years and then another 5 in the last month. 127 would be wonderful!!! I thought sweets made you have to run to the bathroom so much..but I'm sure everyone is different.

Just wondering, and maybe you have told us before, but you say you had lifetime constipation. Had you always taken laxatives and they just stopped working? I worry about pooping too much afterwards, and then again, I worry that I'll be like Lizzie and still won't be able to poop. At least I'll know something soon! How soon after your first surgery did you start going? Since your reversal, have you been incontinent at all? Can you still go out to dinner? What about alcohol? Do you think I can still have a glass of wine sometimes?

Sorry for all the questions; my mind is going a mile a minute and even though I know none of us have the same experiences, it's nice to know what I might expect.

Off to think of some more questions:)

Lizzie, i saw your messege on facebook, but bummer, it was too late and you were offline already. so the low potassium caused you all of this? you poor thing, i'm so sorry to hear what you're going through.. i wish March 30 was here already! i'm relieved to know you're better now though. when you say prescription, you mean for the low potassium and not heart meds, right? how is your abd and back pain doing? has it resolved?

i'm still sick at home. climbing the walls!!!!! you know, my regular dr gave me a lab work to check my potassium levels again and if it's low, then he'll may give me somthing to fix it. you think that's the reason why i feel so weak all the time?

Hi all....

Yes, Hodaya all of my symptoms were from the low potassium. My body is very sensitive to a drop and unfortunately it does not have to get that low befoer I really feel it....I actually had to call 911 (emergency services) and when they arrived my HR was 160 and my BP was 140/102.....I was dryheaving and felt close to passing out. They put me on two potassium pills twice a day for 2 weeks to see if I can stabilize it.

I am not feeling well again tonight....have chest pain again tonight after eating a slice of turkey and half a piece of cheese. I am not sure what is goin on...if it is horrible gas pains or what, but its unbearable for almost 30 min after eating. I hope that all of you are having a good night tonight.....I am still at my witz end and March 30 aktough only 2.5 weeks awat feels like a long tome to feel like this!

Love ya'll

lizzie

Lizzie, OMG.. what an ordeal!! i sure hope those potassium pills will stabilize things. i don't know, i do feel really sick ALL the time, very weak and like low fever, but never like that, like you. i guess for you it involves other things as well?
please take care of yourself, honey. maybe your manager is right and you should take some time off work? don't worry, your patients will be taken care of. if your manager himself told you that, then i assume it's o.k and i bet they'll keep your place and will have you back when you feel better. seriously, i really think you should concider it, maybe even working less hrs could help, cause maybe being too much at home can make you more sick (that's what's happening to me right now lol, i'm SOOOOO sick of being at home!!!!). so what do you think?

do you think potassium pills cause constipation? cause i'm really scared to take anything that might cause that.

maybe Janie is right and you should check for GERD or something with the stomach? i really hope you feel better soon, sweetie!!

Amanda, thanks love, but i don't know, bananas cause awful constipation, don't they? i dread eating them.. but hey, you still haven't answered my question about peanuts and nuts, grains etc.. can you have those or is it true i'm gonna have to forget about those for the rest of my life?? :'o(    anyway.. please continue to feel good, o.k, and be a good girl following dr's orders (cause i know how sometimes you have hard time with that.. lol).

hodaya - i can eat only small amounts of peanuts or nuts or grains; a really small amount at a time or i go to the bathroom a lot and my stomach gets upset.

Speaking of upset....my stomach is killing me today!!! It hurts to the touch and I can't stand up straight without it hurting. Not sure what I did...