husband just finished surgery....Indiana pouch

16 years 7 months ago #7129 by Stephany
Replied by Stephany on topic husband just finished surgery....Indiana pouch
Thank you, Pat and Cynthia. He's just starting to get some mobility. He was given a "general diet" OK today, and had some french toast and 1/2 banana today, and then meatloaf and white bread tonight.

I can't believe that they have no whole grains around here at the hospital. You would think that they would give the patients what was best for them, but I bet they get complaints if they don't serve comfort food. I know he needs fiber, but there wasn't much on the menu. Guess I'll have to wait until he gets home.

Can you tell me if I'm on the right track with the fiber thing? I know that's what turned me around.

Stephany in Iowa

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16 years 7 months ago #7114 by Patricia
Replied by Patricia on topic husband just finished surgery....Indiana pouch
Stephanie .. the coffee ground effect is actually dried blood from the surgery.....i had the same thing....not good enough...gotta have the real thing......hope that is happening also? My surgeon told the nurse to put a couple of suppositories in there and see what came out...i just cried...and the nurse said i didn't have to do it....so , of course, i didn't. I did go home with a stool softener and i really did need it for quite some time....The bowels tend to want to punish you instead of the surgeon and will alternate between one extreme and the other. Pat

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16 years 7 months ago #7113 by Cynthia
Stephany,

So happy to hear that your husband is past the worst part waiting for surgery. You will find that it will be hard for a while but one day you will notice that things are getting a little better and one day you will look back and know that the worst is behind you. Walk walk walk is the best thing for him. Don't forget to take care of yourself it will be like bringing home a new baby for a little bit. So get your rest take a hot bath when you can and pat yourself on the back.

Cynthia.

Cynthia Kinsella
T2 g3 CIS 8/04
Clinical Trial
Chemotherapy & Radiation 10/04-12/04
Chemotherapy 3/05-5/05
BCG 9/05-1-06
RC w/umbilical Indiana pouch 5/06
Left Nephrectomy 1/09
President American Bladder Cancer Society

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16 years 7 months ago #7104 by Stephany
Replied by Stephany on topic husband just finished surgery....Indiana pouch
Actually, that all started last night. He thought he was passing gas, but it wasn't ;D. After I cleaned him up a little, the nurse came in and brought me some more pads, and we got him to the stool, and he had some "coffee grounds", which I know is normal and expected. Great celebrating....not only for the bowels working, but also because now he can have sips of water.

He's not ready to work up to jello yet, but he doesn't have to use stool softeners, thank goodnesss and has no constipation. His drains look good, his incision looks good, and he's really really tired. I think he's finally starting to relax.

Stephany in Iowa

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16 years 7 months ago #7058 by Patricia
Replied by Patricia on topic husband just finished surgery....Indiana pouch
I think maybe just a little blush would do the trick!
Hmmmm...thats the second epidural i've read about in a week that came out...same thing happened with Lemkebunch who had her bladder removed due to insane pain from interstital cystitis.
You're being a great advocate Stepanie and i'm happy your tears and steam at least got him his Cylexa. You know one of the strange side effects of some of these anti-depressents is that they actually block pain. When my father a Pharm M.D. had shingles he asked his doctor to put him on Elavil and magic happened..No pain. I wish more docs knew this.
Now we'll work on waking up his bowels...has that happened yet? He may remember a few of those curse words at first movement however...but it is definate cause for celebration.
Pat

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16 years 7 months ago #7043 by Zachary
Hello Stephany,

It's interesting to read your "real-time" report on your husband's progress. I've been busy at work and haven't had a chance to keep up with all the goings-on here, but as I read your post, it reminded me how important having a long-term perspective is.

In less than a week, your husband will be home, in his own bed, and eating "Stephany" food. As I look back at my time in the hospital, the memory of the pain and annoyances faded pretty quickly.

Progress, at least in the hospital, is almost always two steps forward, and one step back. The important thing to remember is that every day--every hour--brings you two closer to getting your life back to normal.

Best wishes,

Zach

"Standing on my Head"---my chemo journal
T3a Grade 4 N+M0
RC at USC/Norris June 23, 2006 by Dr. John Stein

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