UPDATE ON JMEMA (from daughter Gina)

Hi Jean,

I remember when I had my own 'cathartic experience' about 3 months after surgery, I hadn't cried about anything yet and something small set me off, I had a good scream and holler that must have made the neighbors worried. And that was it, haven't fussed since. At least, not about cancer and treatments etc.

I don't know if what you're experiencing is RLS, because I've heard other women complain of leg pain after bladder removal. I have restless leg syndrome since childhood, it keeps getting worse, now i"m 50 (but I feel 15). I need meds for it, they changed my whole life! Finally I know what it's like to just go to sleep, ahh, and not be exhausted all the time. Don't know how I survived so long without treatment for it. I use a painkiller, and it has no side effects for me. The other choice was L-Dopa but I wanted to hold off on that, knowing this pain killer does the job very well.

Chicken soup, great idea, now I know what to make for dinner.

Take care,
Wendy

Jean, you are the same beloved woman, wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sibling and friend you were prior to this medical challenge. Allow the family to pamper you as you have them for so many years. Thanks for your words, example and prayers. You are admired.

Jean,

I think you're doing incredibly well considering all the issues you've had to handle with your ostomy bags, I think I would probably have lost it much quicker than you did.  I'm sure your husband and daughter are right about the release of tension from your losing it, that must have been quite a sight!  HaHa!
I don't know a great deal about it, but there's a 'thing' called Restless Leg Syndrome.  I've copied from a website I found after entering the words for RLS in my search engine.  This is a description of the syndrome.

Restless leg syndrome is a common cause of painful legs. The leg pain of restless leg syndrome typically eases with motion of the legs and becomes more noticeable at rest. Restless leg syndrome also features worsening of symptoms during the early evening or later at night. The characteristic nighttime worsening of symptoms in persons with restless legs syndrome frequency leads to insomnia.
Restless leg syndrome usually begins slowly. Over time, the legs become more affected. Less frequently, restless leg syndrome can affect the arms.

You might ask your primary or family doctor about this as a possibe reason for your leg pain, there is medication that can be prescribed for RLS. My mother had this problem for many years, but it was long before it was ever a recognised medical problem with an actual name for it.  I do hope this information is of help to you, and perhaps others as well.
You're in my thoughts frequently and my prayers as well.

Lou

It is 4 weeks today from my surgery and I think I am doing pretty well. I have had some real issues with the bag not lasting more than a couple of hours and then one will last a whole day so it has been very frustrating at times and after changing a bag four times in five hours on Tuesday night I just "lost it". My daughter who is my rock and my husband who is the reasonable one and makes me see the good side of everything said it probably was cathartic and realeased all the tension of the last few months. Anyway, today I am feeling better. My granddaughter brought me an organic chicken on Monday and now wants me to eat only organic so when it was done I made a pot of chicken soup and if I do say so myself, it came out very well and made me feel more like wife/mom than I have felt in weeks. I got tired but was happy with myself. My legs and feet have really been bothering me. Very restless and sore. I rub them with a homeopathic cream called Sombra which is made by the Indians in Alberquerque, New Mexico. Our chiropractor carries it and it really helps a lot but they are still aching and keeping me from sleeping all night. I know Nanaca complained about leg pain. Has anyone else experienced this after their surgery and if so, what did you do.
I have been keeping everyone in my prayers. My cousin gave me a holy card of Saint Peregrin and there is a nice prayer on the back and I say it every day for all of us.
I hope everyone who is on this "journey" find this board like I did. It has made a huge difference in being able to deal with all the issues we face every day.
Take care....Jean

I had my 3 week post op visit with the surgeon yesterday and he said everything is going very well. They sent me over to the stoma nurse for a consultation about the bag and she tired an eakin seal and gave me some helpful tips on application etc. She was surprised I wasn't more upset about the bag only lasting a day. I told her that when you go into a 6 1/2 hr. surgery for cancer and come out cancer free a leaky bag is the least of your worries. It is truly amazing what facing cancer can do for your outlook on life. It makes you appreciate small things so much more and gives you an appreciation of things you took for granted before.
I have to go back in 6 months for a cat scan and I can start taking all my vitamins and antioxidants starting today.
Jean

Hello everyone...
Well, here I am. I came home this afternoon and am feeling well. The week in rehab was so helpful. It is only about 2 miles from our house so my husband, children, grandkids and greatgrandchild were able to visit daily. My only problem right now is the bag is only lasting one day but the stoma nurse is coming to the house tomorrow so hopefully she will be able to help me with it.
There were a few "moments" the week following the surgery but Claire was right....the anticipation is greater than the doing.
When I read the "update" my daughter posted it made my heart smile. She is a wonderful daughter and my best friend so this was not easy for her either but she always tried to keep my spirits up.
My surgery was a little over 6 hours and I would recommend the epidural along with general anesthesia. They tested a lot of lymph nodes and everything was negative so Dr. Laudone, who is an awesome surgeon was very pleased with the result and I go for a checkup in two weeks. He did disolvable sutures instead of staples. He said they are easier on the patient.
I am able to walk up a flight of stairs so I get to sleep in my own bed tonight. It will be so nice.
I hope everyone is doing well and I want to thank you all for your good wishes and prayers.
Jean