Surgery tomorrow!
Mon, June 09, 2008 5:53 PM
Alright so I'm sitting in my hosptial bed, I'm going to have my terminal illiuem removed tomorrow! I knew I was going to need it out, but it just come on fast, we were talking about maybe a month from now but I ended up in the ER last night and now I'm going under tomorrow. I guess I'm a little scared and I just want to hear from others who have had the same thing, what is good for recovery and what should I expect?
rachjJoined Jun 2, 2008
Sat, June 21, 2008 12:00 AM
Reply posted for rachj.
Hey so update
went under and it went well! except for the fact that i still have all my guts....yeah its a good thing, but no more answers then
the surgeon got in and said everythign looked really healthy so he left everything besides my appendix so i just have a wicked cut!
rachjJoined Jun 2, 2008
Thu, June 19, 2008 9:13 PM
Reply posted for rachj.
Good luck to you tommorrow. I had my total colectomy on May 7th,2008 at the Cleveland Clinic Cleveland Ohio. I had Ulcerative Colitis and was very sick for almost 2 months this flare up I didn't realize how sick I felt until now I realize how much better I feel. When you wake up from surgery make sure you take your pain medication if it isn't working make sure and tell your nurse because if you hurt you are not going to breathe deeply like they want you to to keep your lungs clear and also be able to move. Take care of yourself and remember you will get through this many people have been where you are now.
Holly
holly hooksJoined Jun 19, 2008
Thu, June 19, 2008 2:05 PM
Reply posted for rachj.
Hello and good luck tomorrow!
I am about 6 weeks post op and I do have some information that may be helpful. I had about 8 inches of bowel removed at the illeocecal valve area due to a previous ruptured appendix and Crohn's disease (1 year ago) with resulting scarring, cementing, pin point stricture, 2 fistulas and multiple, repeating small perforations. Needless to say I was very ill this past year, but it took them a looooooong time to decide to do surgery.
I feel so good now, I am glad to have it done. My surgery went great until just before discharge. Then I got a hospital based germ called Clostridium Difficile, aka C. Diff. I became very ill and had to remain hospitalized for 4 more days. As someone who has been on a lot of antibiotics, I was at risk for this.
I recommend the following to make sure your surgery goes well and reduce your risk of complications:
1)Make sure staff wash their hands and use good technique, including your doctor, nurse, etc.
2)Know your meds and make sure you are given correct meds.
3)Wash your hands before eating & drinking and frequently throughout the day,
4)Get adequate pain control so that you can cough, deep breathe and walk frequently. If your pain med does not work as morphine did not work well for me, discuss with your nurse to get it changed. Toridol, an antiinflammatory, worked much better for me.
5)Have a friend or family member stay with you, to help you walk, watch over you, etc.
6)Do not hesitate to tell your nurse what you need, rather than assume she knows what is going on with you. I was becoming severely dehydrated and finally realized that I had to specifically request to have my doctor called for my IV to be restarted. The nurse was just too busy to notice this problem.
7)Be in charge of your care.
GOOD LUCK TOMORROW, you are going to feel so much better!
linJoined Mar 18, 2008
Thu, June 19, 2008 1:28 PM
Reply posted for rachj.
I had this last November so I know how scary it can feel. The first day after was tough but each day gets better. And it is a miracle that your system will start to work again -- the surgery really is pretty amazing. My advice is to stay in close touch with your doctor to make sure you understand the follow up plan, medications, etc.
emilyJoined Jun 19, 2008
Tue, June 10, 2008 10:40 PM
Reply posted for rachj.
Hi,
I have an illeostomy and so I know what you're going through. Any surgery is scary but you'll be ok. Just follow the doctor's rules and become good friends with your ostomy nurses. They are invaluable to you.
You'll start out with small meals and with pretty bland food but eventually you can try new foods and see what agrees with you.
I wish you the best.
Joined Jun 10, 2008
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