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just had emergecy surgery!!!!

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Posted 1/29/2012 4:50 AM (GMT 0)
 I just had an emergency colstomy done this morning, i'm freaking out as i have no idea how this is going to effect my quality of life. i am on a morphine drip and everything the doc and nurses say just seems to be jibberish. someone told me this was the best place to get some advice and seeing the written word right now will probably make more sense then what there telling me. thank you ahead of time.   Rose    shocked
Posted 1/29/2012 9:47 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Rose.. so sorry to hear you're in hospital and dealing with this an emergency. It's a terrible shock and very early days so first of all.. take a deep breath. We're all here for you and can help. But take it one step at a time.

What happened to you and why have you had the surgery? do you have a colostomy (left hand side) or ileostomy (right hand side) ?

Hang in there. Most of us here have ostomies and live very normal and happy lives. It might not seem like it now, but once you've recovered and are out of hospital you will too :-)

Sending you big healing hugs x

Sarah
Posted 1/29/2012 10:10 AM (GMT 0)
Rose, have you told the doctors and the nurses that you're not understanding them? They *need* to know this. It's not fair on you, and they may change their communication style if they understand that you're really struggling.

Yet *another* huge hug!!
Posted 1/29/2012 10:34 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome, Rose. I'm so sorry that you had to have emergency surgery. (((big hug))) Everything is going to be okay.

Many of us here got our ostomies through emergency surgery, so we understand what you're going through. We are here to help in any way we can. You can definitely count on me to keep you in my prayers.

I have my ostomy because of Crohn's and resisted having it done for 7 years. I also had it done as an emergency and am pleased to say that it has given me my life and health back.

Once you heal from surgery, you are going to feel so much better. The first couple of days after surgery are the worst. The morphine made me feel scared and paranoid, and the only person I wanted around was my husband. Do you have any family members or close friends who can come be with you at the hospital?

Being around people who know you and care about you would really help right now. You will not feel alone, and they can help explain what the doctors and nurses are talking about.

If you have any questions about anything, please feel free to ask. We're all here to help! :-)

Love and hugs,
Cecilia
Posted 1/29/2012 10:51 AM (GMT 0)
I had urgent surgery. It was very scary and I wasn't really prepared.
At the moment everything is going to feel terrible because a. You're in pain b. you're on morphine and c. This is a totally wierd experience an probably the worst you've ever gone through.

Everyone here gives great advice and is very supportive. Don't think you're alone, we've all been through a similar thing and are here to help. Tell us more about why you had the op and what it was and we can help you.

Remember, where you are at the moment is a scary place, but it does change and you will feel so much better in a week, physically and mentally.
Posted 1/29/2012 3:15 PM (GMT 0)
     HI Rose.  Don't freak out.  I never saw any of your previous posts and do not know what you suffered from, UC or Crohn's?

     I have a permanent ileo and am 65 yrs old.  I suffered with ulcerative proctitis for twelve years before surgery and ran the gamut of meds, became prednisone dependent and realized the meds were killing me, especially the prednisone.  My GI would not send me to a surgeon, so, I sought one myself.  I was too ill for a j-pouch but the thought of having a permanent ileo was much more welcome to me than the thought of having to live the way I was living...actually just existing.

     Life with a permanent ileo is not bad at all.  My quality of life is wonderful!!!  My husband and I can once again travel.  I can get out in the mornings, whereas, before my operation I was housebound until about 1pm because of bathroom issues.  Another thing...very important...I went from taking 17-25 pills daily plus rectal meds down to only 1 pill a day and that is for my blood pressure.

     You joined a great forum.  Everyone here is very supportive and will gladly help in any way we can.  God bless.

Posted 1/29/2012 7:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Rose,

This is from Rosemary if your full name might also be Rosemary?

Tell the docs you don't understand what they are saying. Maybe it is the pain killer hindering your comprehension not your fault. Have them write stuff down for you or have a visitor/family member take notes for you.

I have a permanent ileostomy, had to get it to save my life. VERY LONG story short, a GYN surgery done on me (that on review was not needed) went terribly awry, things I did not have were "fixed," much done way beyond consent, surgery based on mis-read of a scan regarding pelvic organ prolapses I did not have. Terrible mess and medicolegal road still ahead. BUt upshot was my colon scarred in and so did my small bowel. So could not eat for 13 months. Lost 1/4 body weight would have died without lysis of adhesions and permanent ileo. Took 11 docs at 7 medical centers before all was figured out. original docs did no follow up to complications. Since ileo I have travelled all over the world via rail and ship and learned to ballroom dance. I can swim, walk, diet some limited, but others with even ileo's eat anything they want. Upshot is I am still here doing all this and without my ileo I would not be.

Welcome to our world, not a perfect one, but stoma's save lives. We are here for you. Rosemary
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