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Post surgery both hope and woes

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 7/12/2012 1:02 AM (GMT 0)
I wrote a little while ago about my husband's pending surgery- He had his colon removed on 7/9. He had a six day post-op stay in the hospital and has been home since last Saturday. By all accounts his surgery went exceptionally well. All other organs were in great shape and given the condition of the colon it sounds like we made the right decision- Now it's the stuff I was wondering about- He's had some "blow-outs" with the new equipment as we learn how to get a sturdy seal between the skin and the plate- Tim is typically a pretty stoic guy but this has been a challenging experience for him- He is a carpenter/vintage motorcycle racer and the ability to use his body has been something that he certainly took for granted for a long time- Between the extreme weight loss, muscle atrophy, depleted energy he seems so defeated at times. Again, I want to support him as best I can- I am so grateful that he is home, eating food again, and working his way back- we both understand that the journey may take awhile- any advice for partners to people who have experienced this surgery is valued. I have so much respect for your insights. Thank you.
Posted 7/12/2012 1:27 AM (GMT 0)
I think the most important thing to remember is that healing is a long process, especially healing from such an invasive procedure. It's going to take quite a bit of time before he feels like himself again. I think this is the main factor that makes me unfomfortable with surgery, but in reality, most people who have surgery end up having ZERO regrets.

You will get a better response on the ostomy board: https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=33

Posted 7/12/2012 1:33 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you- this is very encouraging.
Posted 7/12/2012 1:46 AM (GMT 0)
     This is a long recovery period.  I had a total colectomy with end ileostomy on June 28th 2010.  Best decision regarding my health I ever made.  However, it was NOT a walk in the park.  I was hospitalized for 11 days and had some post op minor complications.  At the time of my surgery I was just two months short of my 64th birthday.  I was also prednisone dependent for two years prior, had extremely high BP and prednisone induced diabetes....soo...it took me a good 6 months to feel 100%.  Tell your hubby to take one day at a time.  He won't regret having the surgery, believe me!

     Oh, my BP is easily controlled with only 1 pill now and I no longer have diabetes.  Good riddance prednisone!

Posted 7/12/2012 2:07 AM (GMT 0)
I will pass your message along and I am encouraging my husband to join this forum- I am so very grateful for your feedback.
Posted 7/12/2012 2:30 AM (GMT 0)
It sounds as if he was fairly sick prior to surgery. It's amazing the toll the disease takes on the body along with all the medications pumped into us to try induce remission. The good news is that he will get better; but it's going to take time. Encourage him to walk every day. Walking will help with recovery. He should work to extend the distance too. Also, make sure he naps when he is fatigued. I had fatigue for the first year post surgery; it was not surgery related but the culmination of the toll 2.5 years of being ill with UC took on my body. I returned to work and exercise fairly quickly post surgery but also paid close attention to listening to my body. Time and patience will be his friends in the early days.

Sue
Posted 7/12/2012 2:45 AM (GMT 0)
He lost almost 40 pounds in less than eight weeks! We went through 4 GI doctors before one took him seriously enough to respond with something other than hydration and Lialda- I was watching him disappear- it was terrifying- He had large painful sores in his mouth and ran a fever for more than a month- He went from a "mild" inflammation in his colon to a fully inflamed colon in a matter of weeks-
I am pushing the walking because someone else said that it was key to his son's recovery. Staying hydrated in the heat has been important too. I cannot believe how much joy it brings me to watch my husband eat food again. I will encourage Tim to listen closely to his body but also to ask a little more of it each day.
Posted 7/12/2012 4:31 PM (GMT 0)
Hardest thing in the world right now for him and for you will be to just be patient! You will get the hang of the bags, and he will get his strength back and be working and riding again. And when you look back it won't seem like that long, but for now it seems like years.
Walking and drinking are very important! Be careful though,because sodas and juices can increase output. It's really easy to gain the weight back too, especially when you are so happy to eat whatever, whenever!
Good luck!
Posted 7/12/2012 9:27 PM (GMT 0)
I know we will find our way with this- hearing other's stories has been very helpful- the courage and optimism amaze me.
Posted 7/13/2012 2:42 AM (GMT 0)
Here's something that may help, it helps me. It's kind of dumb, so its ok if you laugh! Anytime I get a bit down, which is very rare, I look at the shower walls where my kid used to color with those crayons while I was sick, and it reminds me what the bag gave me, and my family! Yall try to find something you missed out on because of his sickness and focus on that when you feel down!
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