summerstorm

I actually don't know exactly what happened, I thought I had a food blockage,but it was an adhesion I think. I don't understand it honestly, I just know it hurt! But I am at home finally! And glad to be!

Glad you're home -- that was scary, even for us, I think..... Maybe when you're feeling better you can talk to your surgeon and get more info about what happened.

Glad you're home and feeling better. Stay Well!!!!

I often wonder when and if my husband may run into some kind of difficulty some day. So important and so helpful that you all share your experiences so those of us have an awareness. Sorry that any of you have to deal with complications but this is tough surgery and obviously has its fair share of potential situations.

Christine (windy city),

What had you eaten? So is the narrowing still at skin level? Soooooo scary all of this. I can see why you do not know now what to expect next. Are you now thinking MORE of having your take down or LESS about having it in light of recent developments?

I have really been pigging out on chocolate chip cookies and really sweet stuff. Tonight for dinner I had spaghetti and meat balls, but did not swallow the meat balls and had plenty of water. Chocolate is still coming out. Then I drowned the whole thing in grape juice.

The only time (SO FAR) that I got in real trouble two times was on mashed potato in large amounts without much liquid with it. Made a real starch ball right in back of my stoma. I had NO narrowings on CT so they thought it was the consistency of what I put in. BUT who knows? I have in the past few months had some baked potato with no issues. A 74 year old woman I know who has had her ileo since 24 (and 3 peristomal hernia repairs) said that baked potato is the thing to have.........all different consistency than the mashed.

Can you imagine having to deal with this for 50 years?????? Auuuugh! But she is one perky gal, I have to get together with her this summer.

Rosemary

Thanks for the info Summer. We were all concerned. Did they have to open you or could they get the adhesion laporoscopically? Hope you are feeling better. Rosemary

     Did they say what causes this to happen?  Could it be too much exercise?  The only exercise I do is walking.

I had a volvulous too. The surgeon I was lucky enough to get when I went to the ER told me the same thing.....sometimes they just happen. Mine was after an extended trip to Asia, where I likely get dehydrated. The surgeon and a GI doc I also got (who wasn't all that good, despite a good reputation) told me I had much longer intestines than usual, so that also contributes to a higher likelihood of a volvulous. They cut out about 18 inches of my sigmoid colon, gave me a temporary ileostomy, then reconnected me about 12 weeks later. It was, to say the least, a surreal experience.

I just ate mac and cheese and needless to say I am worried as I usually don't eat that heavy especially at night, BUT, it was soooo good. Hopefully that too shall pass. I had a quart of liquid with it.

All I do is walk and ballroom dance especially when I am on cruises. I don't do any core exercises. Should we be?

Are you scared to eat now Summer, or are you just eating lightly and building back up?

Glad all worked out OK. I have so much scar tissue in me from the GYN surgery that I found out later I didn't need, then the needed lysis of adhesions and ileostomy, that if this volvulus ever happened to me, I have no clue what they would do with me. But, as you say, onward.....

Rosemary

Glad to hear all is well, summer!!

I thought of it like havingthe orignal surgery gave me five pain free years, this sucks but I ts a tradeoff I can deal with!