Answers4me2

     I just wrote you a post on the Diet following perm but was wondering if your surgeon's office has been in contact with you with any information?  I haven't heard a thing!!!  All I know is that on the 25th I have my pre-op testing and meet with the ostomy nurse.  I was just reading something under Ostomy...Living with Ostomy supplies and all the different things about ileos.  My husband doesn't have a clue about this stuff, so I guess it will be all up to me to contact my insurance company after I get home??  You are having your surgery one week before me.  Did they say how long you would be hospitalized?

Not to but in the conversation here, but just wanted to share a few things. Before my surgery I didn't even enter this board and therefore I didn't have any worries or cares about what was happening and pretty much just rolled with what was happening. I don't think you should be worrying so much about ostomy supplies, blockages, and the myriad of other complications, issues, items, and what not. I just think sometimes sites like this will get you worried even more because others that are unfortunately having issues will haunt your mind and keep you thinking ... is this right for me? Sometimes information overload is worse and will cause uncessary worr ying. Now I am not saying not to worry or be ahead of the game, but don't let these things get to you. The most important thing is you and feeling better. That is your primary goal right now. Forget everything else. I mean, of course insurance and stuff are going to help ;) but worrying about things that are not even here yet is going to plague you. I pretty much went for surgery knowing only two things ... (1) I will be feeling much better and (2) I will be wearing a pouch. So I dealt with that. After surgery, there was pain, yes, there is ... all surgeries will have it. The first thing I looked for when I came to was this pouch on me and I was like, wow this is cool and most importantly I instantly felt better. IT was weird, but I knew things were going to be ok. You will have some time in the hospital, they will be taking care of you and you will meet many people ... (1) nutritionist (2) stoma nurse who will teach you the ins and outs of the pouch and how to put it on. My nurse made sure I knew how to do it. It will be daunting in the beginning but now I am a pro and can practically do it blind-folded and within 20 minutes.

Ok, so that wasn't too many, but those cover the ones you will find to be very important to you. Even at that point I wasn't worried about ordering supplies because I am just dumb and didn't care ;) The nurse will/should give you a list of sites/medical supply stores that will sell the supplies you will need at first. Everything was outlined for me and was even given the product code to make ordering easy. You will be given enough supplies to last a few weeks. I was given enough for the month. This gave me plenty of time to recover and figure things out. You will also be having a WOC (Wound, Ostomy, don't know the last one, maybe care) nurse that will help you out at home and help you figure out the fine details with ordering and chaning your pouch. I didn't really use mine because I am stubborn, figured the stuff on my own, and just went with it. I am a very stubborn Italian.

When in doubt, guys, call your doctors. Write down all the questions you have now and email it to them, call them with it, stop at their house and read it off to them. Whatever it takes to comfort you. I know there are other medical issues you have to deal with, Christine, I am talking to you. You are going to be ok. When you are done with this all, and you don't feel that way, I will give you my address so you can come over here punch me in the nose ;)

lol, I am glad you are at ease ... nope, didn't stay on low residue for long. After about 4-6 weeks I was eating everything. I stay away from nuts and popcorn, but other than that, yes, everything. Remember, everyone is different, so follow doctor's orders and most importantly your body and what it is telling you. I try to keep track of things that bother me, but I don't ... knock on wood ... not too many things have affected me.

     Thanks tracy....funny email name..lol.  My email address is in my profile also...so please feel free to email me.  The surgeon said that it wasn't necessary to have a colonoscopy prior to my surgery.  I suppose the flex sig I had done in March was sufficient.  My last colonoscopy was in May of 08.  I suppose all doctors are different. 

     I did go to another colorectal surgeon following my hospitalization two years ago.  I was really a sick pup then.  He really downplayed the surgery.  Said things would be worse!! That I would have to empty the pouch 6 -8 times a day and during the night.  Scared the crap out of me.  He also said that UC had a way of "burning itself out".  Well...mine sure didn't.  He is supposed to be one of the top notch colorectal surgeons in south Jersey too!!!

     What are your symptoms now?  Today, I didn't move my bowels at all!!  Yesterday, I think I went twice and they were formed.  I do have some discomfort in the rectum, so I know there is still some inflammation there..that just never goes away.  It is tolerable though...don't have to take any pain medication..yet...lol.

     I am trying to find a support group in my area for people with permanent ileos and I just cannot find one.  I am not that computer savvy, so maybe my daughter will help me find it.  She is down the shore till Tuesday though.

I hope you guys don't think I am trying to downplay the situations you are going through. I feel for you both and you have every right to be nervous. I hope, wait, I know that everything will work out well for the both of you. Stay strong and stay tough I know you guys can do it.

     I'll try that site Pam...thanks.  Doing better every day now.   I am able to control my bowel movements...two today and they are formed.  Tomorrow going for the nuclear stress echo.  Everyone is writing about how much pain they have.  The only time I ever had pain was in the very beginning of my flares when I had the urgency and bleeding.  I never have any pain.  The only discomfort is in the rectum and that is almost gone now too....ugh.  Maybe I should get another surgical consult before actually going through with this????   

     Tracy...I can understand why you are having the surgery.  You must be sooo uncomfortable.  When I was a young woman I had a LOT of constipation issues.  As a matter of fact, I can remember as far back as my childhood being constipated and counting the pink tiles on the wall of our bathroom back in the 50's....lololol.  I literally had to push on the base of my spine to get the poop out.  My mother just had me take Castoria....good tasting stuff..didn't mind taking it and it worked, but little was known about UC back then.  I only went about two or three times a week and my family doctor told my mother it was "normal" for me....yeah right.