Hi Somer, and everyone else,
I have been doing what Somer suggested: going back and reading Total Colectomy Parts 1-3. So far I'm on Mother's day, and have indirectly met Susan, Sara, Sommer and Barbara. Thank you Ladies for sharing your stories. You'll never know how much you've already helped me. I'm so grateful I found this site.
Even though I haven't finished reading all the posts, I decided that I just couldn't take it any more and needed to introduce myself. Here I go: As you can see, my name is Amira. I live in Michigan with my puppy, Rocky, and my hubby, Milt (it's funny that I introduced my puppy first). I'm 42 years old and have been constipated for as long as I can remember. Like most of you, I've been to tons of doctors and been through tons of unspeakable exams through the years, only to get responses such as:"You need to add more fiber to your diet;" "Try drinking more coffee;" and, my favorite, "This in normal for most women." I changed doctors I can't tell you how many times. Finally, I put my foot down and told my internist that something had to be done, that I just couldn't take it any more. His response was, "Would you like me to refer you to a specialist?" I thought, "No sh_t Sherlock." I just couldn't believe it, I'd only been begging him to do something for 3 years. Then I went to this so called specialist who treated me like I was out of my mind until of course I failed the transit study. He then referred me to a surgeon just for a defocography. I failed that too and ended up staying with the surgeon who said I was suffering from rectal prolapse. So I had my sigmoid removed. That was 3 years ago. Nothing really improved and I went through a series of meds, none of which worked. I've been drinking Senna tea for the past year or so, which either keeps me up all night, or keeps me home all day. My quality of life is just horrible.
I was given the option of a subtotal colectomy just recently, but I was told that it was like killing a mosquito with an atomic bomb. Well, since I'm allergic to mosquitoes...I figured that's the way to go. Yet, I was scared to death, until I found this site. Thank you again! Before I found this site though, I read many journel articles that weren't really all that encouraging. They talked about the 'D' word and incontinence and small bowel obstructions and bags. I was starting to believe what my well-meaning friends were telling me, which was that I was out of my mind for even considering it; that I was trading in one problem for another. But, after my second opinion and you guys, I'm counting the days until my small intestine is connected directly to my rectum, which are now 20!
Boy, it feels nice to vent. Now, I'd really like to go over BMs after the surgery. From what I understand, I should expect 25-35 per day starting day 3 in the hospital. Doc says I should be home by day 5 or 7. I went home on day 6 after my sigmoid removal, which I opted for the full incision (I wanted him to see what he was doing -- that's what I'm doing this time as well). Anyway, how many days should I expect this 25-35 BMs? What is it like after 1 week, 2 weeks, and 3 weeks, in terms of number of BM? I know other posts have discussed this, but I'm a little overwhelmed, so please forgive me.
Okay, I think I've written way too much, so thanks for listening and until next time, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Amira