So, 5 weeks after surgery and doing very well! I am adjusting to eating easily and don't have any of the problems I expected!
I have been home since the 17th. Have had a good amount of time to rest and now I am ready to get back to work.
Have continued to have help from friends and family. Richard got my car going and he and Chris helped me get home. Laura and Norma helped me with money, and of course Mom was great helping me recover. I had a visit from Robin and Chum and Chris while at Mom's. My friends here in Manistee have been supportive and great too!
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Thursday, January 31, 2013
2:30 am. It has been ten days since my surgery. Things did not go according to plan for surgery. Rather than the two step surgery with an ostomy for three months before the J pouch was ready, I have my j pouch already. My surgeon, Dr. Ryan Figg, encountered far too much endometriosis and the small bowel would not stretch far enough to do both the J pouch and the ostomy.
There were several set backs in the hospital. My surgery took nearly 5 hours and I had terrible back pain coming out of surgery. I had a small bowel obstruction that required an NG tube, a tube down my nose and throat to suction the obstruction out. This also meant nothing to eat or drink for several days.
Finally, my bowels began to move! The tube came out and I was slowly advanced from clear liquids to a soft diet. I tried my best to stay positive, but it wasn't always easy. Now I am home to my Mom's to further adjust and recover.
Tonight I have had some sleep, but have had some problems staying that way. It's gross, but now a fact of life that I suffer from "leakages" at night. It's annoying and I hope it goes away. It makes it difficult for me to sleep.
My Mom, my sister Laura and her spouse Norma, have just been amazing through out this hospital stay. Laura took me to the hospital, with Mom. Norma picked me up and brought me home. They visited with me throughout and brought me flowers, magazines and word searches to brighten my day. Laura brought me dry shampoo, that really made my hair feel better. She also brought me a cd player and a book on cd as well as a mix'tape' and that really helped several times to zone out and feel un-hospitale!
There were several set backs in the hospital. My surgery took nearly 5 hours and I had terrible back pain coming out of surgery. I had a small bowel obstruction that required an NG tube, a tube down my nose and throat to suction the obstruction out. This also meant nothing to eat or drink for several days.
Finally, my bowels began to move! The tube came out and I was slowly advanced from clear liquids to a soft diet. I tried my best to stay positive, but it wasn't always easy. Now I am home to my Mom's to further adjust and recover.
Tonight I have had some sleep, but have had some problems staying that way. It's gross, but now a fact of life that I suffer from "leakages" at night. It's annoying and I hope it goes away. It makes it difficult for me to sleep.
My Mom, my sister Laura and her spouse Norma, have just been amazing through out this hospital stay. Laura took me to the hospital, with Mom. Norma picked me up and brought me home. They visited with me throughout and brought me flowers, magazines and word searches to brighten my day. Laura brought me dry shampoo, that really made my hair feel better. She also brought me a cd player and a book on cd as well as a mix'tape' and that really helped several times to zone out and feel un-hospitale!
Monday, January 21, 2013
Surgery day
Today is the day. Prep went as expected, antibiotics made me barf a little. Up early, but I figure I am going to sleep for at least the day! Here I am just hoping for the best possible outcome :) I don't like drinking the prep stuff, and did not want to barf, but the antibiotics are needed to keep me from getting any infection from surgery.
The best part of the week before surgery was Laura and Norma gave me a birthday dinner! They made roast, potatoes and carrots and yellow cake and chocolate frosting! They got me some nice presents for me too. So thankful for my family!
The best part of the week before surgery was Laura and Norma gave me a birthday dinner! They made roast, potatoes and carrots and yellow cake and chocolate frosting! They got me some nice presents for me too. So thankful for my family!
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Prep day
Well, it is prep day. Took first round of antibiotics. Soon will have to start the "poop everything you ever ate" part. Ugh! Oh well, it has to be done.
Mom and I are enjoying our time together. Yesterday Laura and Norma made me birthday dinner and cake. I got some nice gifts too. That way I don't have to wait till after surgery when I may not be up to celebrating or eating cake!
We had several changes of plan, but now surgery is at 1:15 pm and arrival time is 11:15 am. Mom's pastor and his wife are taking us over, and Mom will get a ride back with Laura or Norma. (Turned out we had another change. Laura brought us to the hospital and stayed with Mom).
I guess I am a little nervous. It is major surgery after all, but I am trying to look at it as a positive move forward!
Mom and I are enjoying our time together. Yesterday Laura and Norma made me birthday dinner and cake. I got some nice gifts too. That way I don't have to wait till after surgery when I may not be up to celebrating or eating cake!
We had several changes of plan, but now surgery is at 1:15 pm and arrival time is 11:15 am. Mom's pastor and his wife are taking us over, and Mom will get a ride back with Laura or Norma. (Turned out we had another change. Laura brought us to the hospital and stayed with Mom).
I guess I am a little nervous. It is major surgery after all, but I am trying to look at it as a positive move forward!
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Spot
Well, today I got my spot! Went to the ostomy clinic with my Mom and a very nice nurse taught us about the appliance and answered all our questions. The spot is the general area that will be best for my stoma. I am nervous about having an ostomy, but I guess it's better than having cancer. I am approaching all of this with the best attitude I can muster. Honestly doing well. I guess I am just trying to maintain a positive attitude.
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