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Paul L -- How are you feeling?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 12/19/2008 4:22 AM (GMT 0)
Were you able to make it to the annual holiday lunch with colleagues? / Old Hat (nearly 30 yrs with left-sided UC ... [etc.])
Posted 12/20/2008 12:40 AM (GMT 0)
I’m sorry I didn’t respond to you sooner. I saw your post this morning and was about to respond to it when the telephone rang. It was my wife and she was in a car accident. Fortunately no one was hurt but her car is probably a write off. She was sideswiped by a minivan that was coming out of a parking lot onto the road. The rear door and quarter panel were damaged and possibly the rear tire. Surprisingly both airbags deployed. The passenger side airbag deployed with such force that it shattered the front windshield. Today we had our first major snow storm this season hear in Toronto but I don’t think it attributed to the accident very much. The snow was just starting this morning when the accident happened. We had about 20 cm (almost 8 inches) of snow today.

Now about me, it has been 8 ½ weeks since surgery and I am feeling a lot stronger except for the return of my arthritis. Arthritis was a major problem for me at least 8 months before surgery. Immediately after surgery it completely went away. about a week ago it came back in my hands and wrists. In fact it was a lot worse than it ever has been in those body parts. Actually I have never had it in my wrists before. It made it very difficult to do anything with my hands until they loosened up in the afternoon. A few days ago arthritis in my knees has returned but it isn’t as bad as it has been. I was thinking that I am strong enough to go back to work but because of the arthritis I don’t think I am. I still take a nap for an hour or two in the afternoon.

The skin around my stoma has healed somewhat but is still a little irritated. Today was the first day I changed my bag without the home care nurse helping. She was visiting twice a week but now wants to cut back to once. Two days ago I cleared the snow in our driveway with the snow blower and I managed OK. My wife has been clearing it up until then. Soon as I post this I’m headed out again to clear the snow. I know I’ll be totally exhausted when I’m done and I’ll have to take a nap or go to bed early. My wife will do all the work required with a shovel.

I almost forgot. Last Monday we had that annual holiday lunch with my work colleagues. It was nice seeing the guys again. I didn’t want to look to health or they would think I’m able to go back to work. LOL

Take care,
Posted 12/21/2008 3:23 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for your update. So glad that your wife is o.k. after the auto smash-up! Gads, what a crummy thing to happen. I was carrying food to a holiday party a couple days ago & suddenly spotted an ambulance up ahead that was picking up a 65-70 yr-old man (pedestrian) who had just been knocked down by an SUV. It was an upsetting sight. Sorry that your arthritis came back. Do you get any relief from topical lotions? The BenGay arthritis formula (30% salicylate) helps me better than any of the others when mine acts up. Yep, some relatives of mine in central Connecticut got 8 inches of snow yesterday, too. On the coast we had ca. 3 inches that later changed to freezing rain/sleet & made a real mess. / Old Hat (nearly 30 yrs with left-sided UC ... [etc.])
Posted 12/21/2008 6:42 AM (GMT 0)
Oh Paul, I'm sorry about the accident your wife was in and I'm glad she's okay and no one got hurt, (I hate winter, here in alberta it's been brutal)...glad that you're doing pretty good though!!!

Keep warm and safe!

:)
Posted 12/23/2008 7:16 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Paul, glad you are feeling stronger and especially so that your wife was alright after the accident.

I have had swelling/inflamation of the ankle which seemed to come out of nowhere. If i apply voltaren emulgel to it asap and wrap it in gladwrap (!) then it goes away without getting too bad. If i wait a day or two then it takes a week to clear up (with voltaren) and i can barely walk.

Posted 12/23/2008 5:47 PM (GMT 0)
Paul, Have you ordered and eaten a loaded pizza yet lol?
Posted 12/24/2008 5:23 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone,

Old Hat I haven’t tried any topical lotions. I can’t stand the smell of BenGay, it reminds me of my grandmother. My arthritis has not been as bad the last few days. We’re having more snowfall tonight. I’ll have to clean it up in the morning.


Bbc, when I had UC (that was really strange to say), diet never effected my symptoms and I had no problems eating pizza. After surgery my diet was restricted for 6 weeks. In fact I had cheese pizza in the hospital twice. I’m not a fan of fully loaded pizza. My favorite toppings are pepperoni, mushrooms and pineapple. It has now been 9 weeks and I have had my favorite pizza twice.

Take care,
Posted 12/24/2008 5:46 PM (GMT 0)
I think its amazing you can now say I had UC!

I have a couple of questions:

If one is lactose intolerant does that go away after having the colon removed?

Since the colon contains the largest amount of our immune system, how do we live without it after the surgery?

Did you have pancolitis?

Tnx : )
Posted 12/25/2008 3:20 AM (GMT 0)
Merry Christmas, Paul! I agree with you re BenGay fumes: phew!!!!!!!!!! However, the arthritis formula is not as bad as some of the other types because it does not contain camphor. Plus, you can remove 98% of the odor by soaping your skin after you've rubbed the lotion in. Then the odor can't permeate your clothing. That's the only way I can stand to use it, and the salicylate in it does work to relieve pain-- in my experience. Good luck with your snow removal! / Old Hat (nearly 30 yrs with left-sided UC ... [etc.])
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