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Posted 2/8/2009 3:20 PM (GMT 0)
I've got two weeks to increase my nutrition and endurance before this surgery and I feel I'm just getting weaker and weaker all around. Stopped humira today. Cipro is making my system a gas machine.

Can't get myself to eat much. Can't do dairy or soy or fiber. Takes me a half hour to get out of a chair or bed to motivate myself to go somewhere or cook something or get a drink of water. I'm not an invalid and I want to wait to ask my husband to do these things when I really need him. Do I really need him now or am I just depressed?

So scared of the surgery, SCARED of the ostomy, overall weak and unhappy. I know most of this is pre op anxiety and hugely due to the fact that EVERYTHING I eat just flies right out of me---the r-v fistula is just awful. Yesterday, I slept all day. Friday was good--got out to see a friend but had to come home and sleep afterward-for 3 hours! Then actually got out to library and shop but paid for it Saturday.

Any ideas. I'm sick of sudoku, sitcoms, and reading. I'm not strong enough to take a walk---I am soooo weak. I'm going to turn into an egg and sausage sandwich with chix soup!!
Posted 2/8/2009 5:15 PM (GMT 0)
Sammies,

I've been there, and it's the Crohn's that's making you weak. Since you're in a flare and everything's flying through your system, you're probably anemic and dehydrated, which would make you feel the way you do. cry

You do need your husband's help right now, so stay in bed and let him bring you food and water. If you feel like you're going to pass out, please call your doctor and go to the hospital, so you can get fluids through IV.

It's completely normal to be scared of surgery, but please know that you are going to be healthy and strong once that diseased colon is out of you. The ostomy is going to be a life saver for you. Because of it, you are going to have energy again and be healthy, just like you were before you ever got sick. I know, because I'm living proof of it.

(((hugs)))

Cecilia
Posted 2/8/2009 6:59 PM (GMT 0)
exactly what she said, lol.

In a few months, after surgery and you heal completly thos trips be NOTHING to you, you wil be able to do around all do and rest for 3 minutes after instead of 3 hours,lol.
I promise you will feel better and have more energy, like she said its the disease just sucking it out of you.
Its impossible NOT to be scared of surgery and you would be weird if you werent, lol. But like CeCe said, just keep remebering i will be happy and healthy!
Posted 2/8/2009 9:13 PM (GMT 0)
Don't be so hard on yourself. You didn't choose this path! Let your husband help you. You are not healthy YET and I'm sure he realizes it. You will feel so much better after recovery, then you can do normal things again. Until then, rest. You need it! It's ok.
Are you allergic to dairy, or just lactose intolerant? The reason I ask is if you are are lactose intolerant, you can still try to eat yogurt. Get some with active cultures. They eat the lactose and so it shouldn't bother you. It may help with the gas you are feeling. I was lactose intolerant and ate Activia when I'd get gassy-the cipro is killing your gut cultures, that's why you're so gassy. (maybe you already knew that...,)
What about Ensure? Those are non dairy. They taste like slim fast. I get the chocolate flavor. They are very good for you.
Bananas help 'thicken' things too. Rice?
Just some ideas.
Surgery is just a blink away. :)
Posted 2/9/2009 4:58 AM (GMT 0)
Don't push yourself to be well going in to your surgery. I was in the hospital for 3 weeks and nothing was working, I was passing out and had dropped down to 90lbs before they did my surgery. It's easier on you if you are well going in, but it's not impossible to do the surgery in your situation. If anything when you wake up from surgery, you are going to feel "clean", at least I did. I knew that the surgical pain would get better, not like the disease. If you feel like your heart is racing, it's another sign of dehydration and it wouldn't be a bad idea to go to the ER just to get IV's. I did this several times when waiting to get in to see my GI before they admitted me, as I kept putting it off thinking I would get better, NOT! I knew it was bad when I couldn't do normal tasks around the house without taking a break and all I did was lay around. It's ok to do this, you are not well, but you will get better.


How bout having friends come over and watch movies? Get a pedicure for the surgery (maybe an upside down smiley face on your big toes)

Take care and keep us posted
Posted 2/9/2009 5:52 AM (GMT 0)
thanks for the assurances and encouragement. You are all right--I need to ask for more help. It's so hard to understand the condition I am in. I lined up my brother and my aunt for later this week. I have a gift certificate for a hot rocks massage but my r-v fistula is pouring and I feel like I can't go.


do you know how some folks just know how to anticipate the needs of the elderly or the sick? ie. we know to walk slower, offer to get their meals at a buffet, pull the car up to the door, stop on your run and pull their garbage to the curb. I grew up that way. My husband didn't. His own parents are in their 60s and they just ignore his 90 year old grandmother, as if she's still 30 and their "mom." They leave her to climb stairs herself, carry her own packages to the car, clear her own plate from the table. . . On the other side of things, my mother-in-law was here this week--completely overstayed her welcome. She thought she was filling my day but after 2 1/2 hours of her one-sided conversation, I was exhausted. I need to tell her to leave next time or have something specific for her to do. She just doesn't pick up on non-verbals or she might not want to.
Posted 2/9/2009 12:41 PM (GMT 0)
Oh, sammies, I can totally relate to the family thing...I am sure she means well, but it just isn't what YOU NEED...tell her you need to rest and ask her to clean your bathroom! She might not ever come back to visit:)

Don't try to do anything. Take care of yourself, rest and don't worry about looking like a sausage/egg sandwich or chicken soup...they'll be the farthest thing from your mind after surgery!!!
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