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  • 28 Days Since Surgery Little Victories Day by Day

    Posted by Herb on October 8, 2010 at 4:12 pm

    The Big Victories were making it through surgery, surviving C-Diff, A fib and ‘Hospital Pychosis’. Now Day by Day the victories are little but important ones: finally being able to get my sleep time reversed back to night time; being able to keep eating something everyday even though anti-botics and oral suspensions sure make everything taste less than appetizing; walking to mailbox that is at the end of my streetand and lastly getting urostomy pouch to last more than 2 days! I was amazed how few medical people really have much experience with urostomy appliances — wound nurses at hospital obviously had the knowledge but they never got one to last beyond 48 hours. Wife and I are working on 4th day which means time to change not because of leak but because it is recommended not to go beyond 4 days. I have talked with my Primary Care Physcian in our little town of Ruidoso (happens to be my brother-in-law) and told him I thought we eventually should set up local network for urostomies centered on appliances so share the small things one learns with trial and error, so other might be able to skip this annoying step. Next week I go back to surgeon and also Heart Institute to make sure all is functionings as it should. I will end by saying 99% of people I have met on this difficult journey have been great folks who give sincere credit to the medical profession and I thank them for the human service. Off to Mailbox — Herb


    Age 72 had radical 9/11/10 have conduit everything is fine, grateful to be a cancer survivor. Lost Dad and Brother to Cancer both in their 50’s.
    Herb replied 14 years, 4 months ago 5 Members · 6 Replies
  • 6 Replies
  • herb's avatar

    herb

    Member
    October 15, 2010 at 2:43 am

    Another little victory — I just swallowed the last ‘grey-purple’ ‘big-boy’ anti-biotic — yahoo — that means no more of the accompanying yucky ‘suspension’. Thirty-six days since surgery and I am plugging along. Last two pouches lasted the 4 days so I think we got the right one — had to use one with convex opening but does fine and the skin is really okay — I think we were fortunate — but I do remember the discouragement when trying to find the right fit — but again, just keep heading towards the little goals you can set up and when the accomplishment comes — a grateful heart immediately follows.


    Age 72 had radical 9/11/10 have conduit everything is fine, grateful to be a cancer survivor. Lost Dad and Brother to Cancer both in their 50’s.
  • gkline's avatar

    gkline

    Member
    October 14, 2010 at 10:32 pm

    Herb, You are doing GREAT! There are Challenges for you, that is a given. You sound as though you are meeting them head on and with great attitude. It sounds as though you are getting a little extra help from on high. If this is the case, keep on doing what you are doing.

    Please keep on posting. We are reading and Cheering your every victory. Even the small ones!

    George


    Light a man a fire and he is warm for an evening.
    Light a man ON fire and he’s warm forever.

    08/08/08…RC neo bladder
    09/09/09…New Hip
    =
    New Man! [/size]

  • DougG's avatar

    DougG

    Member
    October 10, 2010 at 10:51 pm

    Herb, I have a friend who shares with me her “Silent Victories” — the kind of victories that aren’t really noticed — any victory is important! Sounds like making it to the mailbox was a big victory. Congrats and best wishes for many more victories.


    Anita
    Forum Moderator
    Caregiver
  • herb's avatar

    herb

    Member
    October 10, 2010 at 10:07 pm

    Your Dad is the neat kind of positive example some of new ‘bagmen’ need to hear about, thanks for sharing. I am patiently waiting for next week to end where all the antibotics will end along with the suspensions used to keep digestive track in synch. Tahnks for website will put in favorites and get there.


    Age 72 had radical 9/11/10 have conduit everything is fine, grateful to be a cancer survivor. Lost Dad and Brother to Cancer both in their 50’s.
  • harleygirl's avatar

    harleygirl

    Member
    October 10, 2010 at 12:31 am

    Glad the little victories are taking place for you. Recovery takes time and effort. Sounds like you are on the right track.

    My 84-year-old Dad changes his appliance twice a week in order to avoid infection. He makes sure that his skin around his stoma is oil free and clean-shaven and completely dry after showering before he changes. I know what you mean about the medical community not knowing much about ostomy management. I can’t tell you how many nurses have said to my Dad, “Oh, how long have you had your colostomy?” It is as if they’ve never heard of urostomy. Whenever he has been hospitalized, he is pretty much on his own for changing his appliance and hooking up to a night bottle. He brings his own supplies, etc.

    There is a great website at http://www.uoaa.org where you can register for free and post questions. There are people there with all different types of ostomies. If you need help with something, post and someone with lots of experience can help you out.

    Hope you continue on the healing path. Keep up the good work!

  • mmc's avatar

    mmc

    Member
    October 8, 2010 at 4:48 pm

    Herb,

    Glad to hear you are on the road to recovery!
    Celebrate all milestones!!!!

    Today is my 2 year anniversary of my neobladder. Cancer free.

    Mike


    Age 54
    10/31/06 dx CIS (TisG3) non-invasive (at 47)
    9/19/08 TURB/TUIP dx Invasive T2G3
    10/8/08 RC neobladder(at 49)
    2/15/13 T4G3N3M1 distant metastases(at 53)
    9/2013 finished chemo -cancer free again
    1/2014 ct scan results….distant mets
    2/2014 ct result…spread to liver, kidneys, and lymph system

    My opinions are my own and do not reflect the opinion of ABLCS or anyone else. I am not a doctor nor do I play one on TV.

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