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Surgery follow up, back to work?

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Ostomies
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Posted 7/22/2010 6:04 PM (GMT 0)
Well, I saw my doctor yesterday and he said I am healing wonderfully and can go back to work August 2nd....WHAT? : This is exactly 6 weeks from when I had my surgery.

He said 6 weeks is the magic number and that all incisions are healed as strong as they are ever going to be and I could lift, push, pull, etc and should be just fine.

I feel really nervous about this due to the nature of my job. I am a bus driver and it is very hot on the bus with no air....plus, I have still struggled with my output being at or above 1200 cc per day. He told me to take immodium and to drink alot. He was very dismissive with me and I feel like he didn't listen to my concerns at all. He rushed in and back out. I am too much of a wimp and need to get some back bone....

Do ya'll think I will be okay to go back to work? The temperatures can reach 120 degrees on the bus. Has anyone else with an ileostomy dealt with temperatures like this and could give me some advice?

Or would it be better if I called my doctor and asked him to write me out of work until September, when the temperatures are a bit cooler? I would not be so freaked out if I had the ileostomy longer and my outputs were not so high. Dehydration is my only concern! I can't risk anything happening to me when I have 70 innocent children on the bus, in my care.

On another note, I feel GREAT physically and have been walking on my treadmill 1 to 2 miles a day or going to Walmart or Target to walk. I have not walked outside due to the heat because it is so sooo hot here as we are in a heat wave. I live in Georgia. I still have not smoked, so I am on day 31 with no cigarettes. I hope to remain a nonsmoker, but it is a daily struggle to remain smokefree as smoking cigarettes is a psychological addiction much more than a physical addiction.

Thanks, Tracy
Posted 7/22/2010 6:47 PM (GMT 0)
It sounds as if your real worry is dehydration. I would recommend that you keep some hydrating beverages on the bus with you that you can sip in hot weather. Gatorade2 or G2 make some good tasting prepared beverages that are low in calories. You can always get better pricing by purchasing the powders and mixing them yourself.

I went back to work after 3 weeks and was fine. I know how one can get anxiety over this but you should be fine as long as you stay hydrated.

Sue
Posted 7/22/2010 8:15 PM (GMT 0)
Sue, thanks for your reply. So, you went back to work 3 weeks after your ileostomy surgery? That makes me feel alot better. I will be able to take a cooler filled with water and gatorade, so, no trouble drinking as much as I need too. But, if i have to pee, that is another matter. No toilet on the school bus. LOL HEEHEE
Posted 7/22/2010 9:43 PM (GMT 0)
I have the same concern. I work on commercial garage doors and everything is extremely heavy. I usually use my whole body to lift things like sections, openers, springs etc. Avg weight of the parts I lift are around 100-200lbs. Heck my ladder that I have to take off at every job is 75lbs.
I had a hard time before, don't know if I will be able to lift that stuff now.
Not to mention working outside in the heat no bathrooms a lot of the time. I'm worried about the bag getting to heavy and sweaty and coming off.
As far as your situation all I can say is make sure you have plenty of liquids on hand to keep you hydrated. Do you have one of those little fans that mount above your head? I have seen some buses with them. Maybe you can point it toward your ostomy to keep it cooler?

Oh and if you are concerned with output, maybe you can pull over between trips when there are no kids on the bus and empty it in a container that you can seccure really tight and then hide it somewhere. Maybe a backpack or something. Also pack some baby wipes. Just an idea.

Posted 7/22/2010 10:25 PM (GMT 0)
Brian, wow. I would be nervous too if I was you. When are you trying to go back to work? I assume you work out in the heat too???? I am terrified the bag might just slide right off with the heat and sweat...seems like the adhesive might just melt????

What I plan to do is pack a small back pack with ostomy supplies, a towel, change of clothes, and baby wipes....JUST IN CASE something happens. I can also go into the schools and empty my bag between routes. :)

My 1st week back to work is preplanning week, so luckily, no students, and I can see if I can manage or not.....
Posted 7/23/2010 12:39 AM (GMT 0)
Tracy -

Get a battery operated fan. Pack a cooler with your water, gatorade, etc. Maybe if a misting bottle or some wash cloths that you can dampen with the ice water. If you're sweating a lot you won't be needing to pee :)

What county do you drive for?
Posted 7/23/2010 1:42 AM (GMT 0)
first-congrats on a month with no smoking! I quit 11 years ago, its not easy! i had a little trick, i kept a shirt that i wore when i smoked, i didnt wash it, and when i thought about smoking i sniffed that shirt and i thought OMG i used to smell like that! and then i didnt want to anymore!

As for your work, so far i havent sweated my bag off, now its only about 100 here, but i have been out mowing and weedeating and cutting down trees and all that fun stuff. Wear sure seals, and you may have to change your bag more often, just check for breakdown often. and i agree with the fan, get one with a 12volt plug or get a regular one and a 12volt converter for it!
Posted 7/23/2010 11:23 AM (GMT 0)
Tracy~I think you'll be surprised at how durable our appliances really are! I have NEVER had an appliance sweat off and it's been more than 10 years that I've had an ileo!!

I swear by Sure Seals...they are breathable and waterproof which really helps to keep the wafer in good shape. I think I would have to change mine every time I run if I didn't use them! I have a tricky stomach, a lot of scares and dips that work against me, but the Sure Seal keeps it all sticking:) and makes drying off after a shower really easy!!! With the high heat in GA you may find that you change every 3 days or so.

Congratulation on 31+ days without smoking!!!!!! I quit 15 years ago and I am so glad I did:) I won't lie and say that I don't ever get the urge to pick one up...but I hate the smell more! Keep up the good work you are through the worst of it:)
Posted 7/23/2010 9:51 PM (GMT 0)
well if my bag made it through today, then your bag will be ok too!
Its like 100, humid as all get out (i'm in NC, so we get that sticky air too) and i have been to the dump twice, with all the lifting and twisting and jumping on and off the truck, done my insanity workout, mowed and weedeated and laid in the hammock for about 30 minutes. When i came in my clothes were so soaked with sweat it looked like i had been in the pool!
And didnt have a problem!
Posted 7/23/2010 11:59 PM (GMT 0)
I am a dancer at Disney World in Orlando where right now it is like swimming through a swamp just to walk from the house to the car. Eew. over 100 degree heat index. I sweat A LOT! I came back to work 5 weeks from my surgery, and all has been fine as far as my appliance staying put.
Posted 7/24/2010 3:36 AM (GMT 0)
well i jinxed myself! not too long after i typed that, i ate and had a ton of output all at once, and i went to empty and saw what i thought was a small leak (thank god for sureseals, btw) went to change and had a HUGE mess under there! Although i dont think it was the sweat, i had forgotten the hair dryer yesterday when i changed, and i think it was that.
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