Its been a month and a day since my Ileal Conduit surgery. I see my Uro locally in the morning. The 5 1/2 days in the hospital were rough. The first 2 weeks at home were tough, expecially fighting a raging UTI with fever, that was the lowest point in my recovery.
My BMs are back to normal after all this time, a miracle. In the earlier weeks, all loose and extreme urgency issues. Almost didnt make it a few times to the can.
Still on a bland but solid diet, avoiding all processed foods, still nothing spicy, no tomato based sauces, etc. Not really needing the 'ensure'
any more. Haven't had any sweets in over a month, and what is odd, not missing them. Really listening to my body, my body knows what I need to eat. Lots of lean protein is helping me the most.
Took 4 weeks to get all the "gas" out of my head and throat from being put under for so long.
Very little pain left related to surgery. Average 3 advils a day, havent had any prescription pain pills for over 2 weeks now. If you remember, I was on loratabs for nearly a year prior to surgery due to the radiation damage in my bladder and bladder neck and all the caths
I have no energy or endurance. Lost a lot of muscle mass during this time, and now weight loss topped out at 35 lbs. This week, and for 6 weeks, will start in home PT, twice a week. When I am through that, on waiting list to get into full time PT Oncology Rehab at my hospital, they estimate 6 months.
As a side note, I have began litigation against the radiation clinic, for what they directly caused.
With this stoma at my waist, I will forever pee with no control into a 2 piece device. Its a complex world with millions of product choices. We are having a hard time finding a "device" that last more than 2 days without leaking. What you want, is one that can last
4-5 days. Got 3 nurses helping, and one of the major mfg Convatec helping. Right now, afraid to leave the house even if I wanted to.
If I walk outside at all, I have to use a cane, lots of dizzy problem. Still dont have driving rights back currently, wouldnt feel safe driving at the moment.
I will check in from time to time with updates. Don't intend to post much on regular threads, I still have a long ways to go. Did catch up on some current threads, and while most people seem to have good level of respect towards once another, I still see some arrogance and condenscending remarks with a few answers. HW is patient to patient, sharing experiences and advice we have learned. No one is a doctor or medical pro here, and some of the answers I have read almost imply some "special" knowledge.
As Zufus has said a million times. its a jungle out there. If the experts can't agree on many of these points, nor the great researchers, who are we to think that we know more? All our journeys are unique, and all our choices are personal and should be respected.
Good luck to all my brothers and sisters here at HW. We do fight the same evil giant, PC.
Peace be with you,
David in SC
Post Edited (Purgatory) : 10/24/2010 2:37:43 PM (GMT-6)