My Husband's Surgery Update
So, now we just play the waiting game.
Sandi
Comments
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Moving through
I remember with my last surgery (resection) it took awhile for the gas to move through and to also pass a BM. My surgeon would not even consider me leaving the hospital until I passed enough gas and had a BM. I also got up and moved the 2nd day after surgery and remember a serve pain in my stomach which made me take the pain meds when it ended up being gas.
Tell hubby to keep walking and moving and it will eventually pass through.0 -
gas pains
I remember having problems with passing gas when they first took out the NG tube... i had dry heaves and they were ready to put the tube back in until my mother (God bless her, she was a retired RN so they listened to her) convinced them it was just gas and told them to give me Reglan (sic?); it moves gas through the digestive tract and worked wonders for me! You guys are doing great and it will come soon for you both! Mary0 -
I never had an ng tube nor
I never had an ng tube nor did I have food for 8 days, just ice chips. The gas was horrible and wouldn't move. I asked for mylanta just so I felt like I was doing something. It helped. The nurse kept telling me to walk to get rid of the air, I was doing laps around the nurses station and one patient thought I was pregnant. The last night they gave me something to relax me and make me sleep and finally I wasn't exhausted and my system relaxed enough to release all the stuff bottled up. It's amazing anyone survives a hospital stay. Good luck waiting.0 -
Gum---Really!
Hope your husband's problem has resolved itself naturally.
During my husband's first resection, he had to have the ng tube. I did a lot of Internet research and found the following article (there are others if you do a search). Unfortunately, it was too late for the information to be of use as my husband's problem began to resolve itself:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_6827
When my husband had his second surgery (with a different surgeon), my husband was again having problems with bloating and was unable to have a bowel movement. I wanted to save him from the ng tube experience. I talked to the surgeon and he was aware of the gum research. In fact, he pulled a stick of gum out of his pocket and gave it to my husband to chew. I bought him more gum. Within a day, my husband's bowels began to recover. I know this sounds bizarre and, of course, the problem could have resolved itself naturally, but maybe the gum worked. It is worth discussing with your doctor.
Hatshepsut0 -
GumHatshepsut said:Gum---Really!
Hope your husband's problem has resolved itself naturally.
During my husband's first resection, he had to have the ng tube. I did a lot of Internet research and found the following article (there are others if you do a search). Unfortunately, it was too late for the information to be of use as my husband's problem began to resolve itself:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_6827
When my husband had his second surgery (with a different surgeon), my husband was again having problems with bloating and was unable to have a bowel movement. I wanted to save him from the ng tube experience. I talked to the surgeon and he was aware of the gum research. In fact, he pulled a stick of gum out of his pocket and gave it to my husband to chew. I bought him more gum. Within a day, my husband's bowels began to recover. I know this sounds bizarre and, of course, the problem could have resolved itself naturally, but maybe the gum worked. It is worth discussing with your doctor.
Hatshepsut
I had heard about the gum as well. I didn't have occasion to use it either, but definitely will if i find myself or a loved one doing intestinal surgery in the future!
mary0 -
Links that workHatshepsut said:Gum---Really!
Hope your husband's problem has resolved itself naturally.
During my husband's first resection, he had to have the ng tube. I did a lot of Internet research and found the following article (there are others if you do a search). Unfortunately, it was too late for the information to be of use as my husband's problem began to resolve itself:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_6827
When my husband had his second surgery (with a different surgeon), my husband was again having problems with bloating and was unable to have a bowel movement. I wanted to save him from the ng tube experience. I talked to the surgeon and he was aware of the gum research. In fact, he pulled a stick of gum out of his pocket and gave it to my husband to chew. I bought him more gum. Within a day, my husband's bowels began to recover. I know this sounds bizarre and, of course, the problem could have resolved itself naturally, but maybe the gum worked. It is worth discussing with your doctor.
Hatshepsut
It appears that the link in my post above doesn't work. Here it is again and I posted another link as well. Simply copy the link and paste it into your browser to search for the story. If you should want to read other references, I typed in the words chewing gum after abdominal surgery into yahoo.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_68270.html
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2006/02/20/gum-colon060220.html?ref=rss
Hatshepsut0 -
My husband is finally home
My husband is finally home. They discharged my husband this morning (Sunday). As of the time he left the hospital he had still not had a bowel movement, but the doctor said you can't go if your not eating. They were feeding him a soft diet, but last night they gave him chicken and Orzo soup. Now you have to understand, my husband is a picky eater and I had to force him to eat the soup at lunch time. Along came dinner and I had to force him again - I got him eating and left the room to use the ladies room and when I came back he said I'm not eating this, I said why not, you have to eat it. He said I found a fingernail in it, oh i said i took it out to his nurse and showed him and he said gross i will order him a new one. My husband said i'm not eating that either ( I don't blame him ). So, I decided that I would make him chicken soup at home and bring it to him, but this morning when the doctor came in he told him about the fingernail and the doctor agreed that the food was bad there. He said since everything is else is going according to plan I will let you go home. He came home and I fed him scrambled eggs and he was having a bowel movement within 45 mins of being home. He has showered and is now watching the race with our son. I am so happy to have him home. Now we just need to get him through the chemo in a month or so and we will be doing good.
Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers and your support. I would not have gotten through this without it.
Sandi0 -
Oh happy day!Sandi1 said:My husband is finally home
My husband is finally home. They discharged my husband this morning (Sunday). As of the time he left the hospital he had still not had a bowel movement, but the doctor said you can't go if your not eating. They were feeding him a soft diet, but last night they gave him chicken and Orzo soup. Now you have to understand, my husband is a picky eater and I had to force him to eat the soup at lunch time. Along came dinner and I had to force him again - I got him eating and left the room to use the ladies room and when I came back he said I'm not eating this, I said why not, you have to eat it. He said I found a fingernail in it, oh i said i took it out to his nurse and showed him and he said gross i will order him a new one. My husband said i'm not eating that either ( I don't blame him ). So, I decided that I would make him chicken soup at home and bring it to him, but this morning when the doctor came in he told him about the fingernail and the doctor agreed that the food was bad there. He said since everything is else is going according to plan I will let you go home. He came home and I fed him scrambled eggs and he was having a bowel movement within 45 mins of being home. He has showered and is now watching the race with our son. I am so happy to have him home. Now we just need to get him through the chemo in a month or so and we will be doing good.
Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers and your support. I would not have gotten through this without it.
Sandi
Sandi, I am so glad to hear your husband is home! Dancing all around! I am DISGUSTED by the nail in the soup, and even more disgusted by the doctor's response as if that wasn't unexpected news! I don't believe I would return to a hospital with such poor dietary sanitation procedures! Prayers your husband will continue with his recovery smoothly!
Mary0 -
Home AgainSandi1 said:My husband is finally home
My husband is finally home. They discharged my husband this morning (Sunday). As of the time he left the hospital he had still not had a bowel movement, but the doctor said you can't go if your not eating. They were feeding him a soft diet, but last night they gave him chicken and Orzo soup. Now you have to understand, my husband is a picky eater and I had to force him to eat the soup at lunch time. Along came dinner and I had to force him again - I got him eating and left the room to use the ladies room and when I came back he said I'm not eating this, I said why not, you have to eat it. He said I found a fingernail in it, oh i said i took it out to his nurse and showed him and he said gross i will order him a new one. My husband said i'm not eating that either ( I don't blame him ). So, I decided that I would make him chicken soup at home and bring it to him, but this morning when the doctor came in he told him about the fingernail and the doctor agreed that the food was bad there. He said since everything is else is going according to plan I will let you go home. He came home and I fed him scrambled eggs and he was having a bowel movement within 45 mins of being home. He has showered and is now watching the race with our son. I am so happy to have him home. Now we just need to get him through the chemo in a month or so and we will be doing good.
Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers and your support. I would not have gotten through this without it.
Sandi
Hi Sandi,
I'm so glad your husband is home and has had a BM. The fingernail in the soup sounds surreal--like a horror movie. I can't believe they are so acceptant of nasty sanitation in their hospital food. I wouldn't eat it either! Now that he's home and more comfortable, he can regain his strength and deal with the chemo. God bless.
Kirsten0 -
Last Night was roughSandi1 said:My husband is finally home
My husband is finally home. They discharged my husband this morning (Sunday). As of the time he left the hospital he had still not had a bowel movement, but the doctor said you can't go if your not eating. They were feeding him a soft diet, but last night they gave him chicken and Orzo soup. Now you have to understand, my husband is a picky eater and I had to force him to eat the soup at lunch time. Along came dinner and I had to force him again - I got him eating and left the room to use the ladies room and when I came back he said I'm not eating this, I said why not, you have to eat it. He said I found a fingernail in it, oh i said i took it out to his nurse and showed him and he said gross i will order him a new one. My husband said i'm not eating that either ( I don't blame him ). So, I decided that I would make him chicken soup at home and bring it to him, but this morning when the doctor came in he told him about the fingernail and the doctor agreed that the food was bad there. He said since everything is else is going according to plan I will let you go home. He came home and I fed him scrambled eggs and he was having a bowel movement within 45 mins of being home. He has showered and is now watching the race with our son. I am so happy to have him home. Now we just need to get him through the chemo in a month or so and we will be doing good.
Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers and your support. I would not have gotten through this without it.
Sandi
Last Night was my husband's first night home - it was rough. I don't know if it's just the fact that he's sitting in different chairs or what, but he kept having this sharp pain between his shoulder blades. He couldn't lay in the bed, so he ended up sleeping on the couch propped up with a folded quilt, and two pillows. Needless to say I didn't sleep well. I was already to pack in the car and take him back to the hospital. Today, he says he feels alot better. So, we will walk more today - i didn't push him yesterday just wanted him to relax and enjoy being home - but today we start walking. Tomorrow i have to return to work, so i am going to have to trust him that he will get up and walk himself. So, other than that he's feeling fine. Incision his healing well, no nausea and he is eating good. Thank god for that.
Sandi0 -
The first night usually is....Sandi1 said:Last Night was rough
Last Night was my husband's first night home - it was rough. I don't know if it's just the fact that he's sitting in different chairs or what, but he kept having this sharp pain between his shoulder blades. He couldn't lay in the bed, so he ended up sleeping on the couch propped up with a folded quilt, and two pillows. Needless to say I didn't sleep well. I was already to pack in the car and take him back to the hospital. Today, he says he feels alot better. So, we will walk more today - i didn't push him yesterday just wanted him to relax and enjoy being home - but today we start walking. Tomorrow i have to return to work, so i am going to have to trust him that he will get up and walk himself. So, other than that he's feeling fine. Incision his healing well, no nausea and he is eating good. Thank god for that.
Sandi
Coming home has such impact associated with it, and then when you get there...well...there are things to work out!
I ended up sleeping semi-sitting on an eggcrate mattress on the couch for a few days...I didn't want to disturb my beau with my tossings and turnings. After that, the bed still took some getting used to...wierd, I know, but normal. The shoulder blade pain may be gas (yes, I know, but gas in the abdomen presses on the upper stuff, too).
Sandi, what a job you have as caregiver!!! I give you all SORTS of hugs!!!!
Hugs, Kathi0 -
First nightSandi1 said:Last Night was rough
Last Night was my husband's first night home - it was rough. I don't know if it's just the fact that he's sitting in different chairs or what, but he kept having this sharp pain between his shoulder blades. He couldn't lay in the bed, so he ended up sleeping on the couch propped up with a folded quilt, and two pillows. Needless to say I didn't sleep well. I was already to pack in the car and take him back to the hospital. Today, he says he feels alot better. So, we will walk more today - i didn't push him yesterday just wanted him to relax and enjoy being home - but today we start walking. Tomorrow i have to return to work, so i am going to have to trust him that he will get up and walk himself. So, other than that he's feeling fine. Incision his healing well, no nausea and he is eating good. Thank god for that.
Sandi
Sandi, I am sure today will be a better day and night as will the following ones. It really is hard the first night home after being in a bed at the hospital that will reposition at will! I can remember being VERY leery of getting into my bed for the first night. Even the darkness is hard to get used to! I had to leave a light on in my closet the first night; flash backs from the hospital, surgery, fear I wouldn't be able to get out of bed, etc. But, the first night was over soon enough and it was smooth sailing from that!
So glad to hear DH is eating well!
Mary0 -
ng tube, Yes!Hatshepsut said:Gum---Really!
Hope your husband's problem has resolved itself naturally.
During my husband's first resection, he had to have the ng tube. I did a lot of Internet research and found the following article (there are others if you do a search). Unfortunately, it was too late for the information to be of use as my husband's problem began to resolve itself:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_6827
When my husband had his second surgery (with a different surgeon), my husband was again having problems with bloating and was unable to have a bowel movement. I wanted to save him from the ng tube experience. I talked to the surgeon and he was aware of the gum research. In fact, he pulled a stick of gum out of his pocket and gave it to my husband to chew. I bought him more gum. Within a day, my husband's bowels began to recover. I know this sounds bizarre and, of course, the problem could have resolved itself naturally, but maybe the gum worked. It is worth discussing with your doctor.
Hatshepsut
After LAR for rectal cancer, I was kept NPO -- no food or liquid -- with an ng tube for 9 days and with intravenous lines attached at my jugular. Also a catheter. While it wasn't exactly fun, it wasn't a real problem, either. I never had any bloating or gas pains at all. If the ng tube helped me avoid some of these problems, it was easily worth the sore throat it gave me.0 -
start slow, chew sugarfree gum
I know what you are talking about, it's a slow process. The digestive system just went through a major medical miracle. Start with ice chips, popsicles, progress with jello or yogurt, then soup or broth. Drink plenty of liquids so you don't dehydrate. eventually in few days you will have a somewhat bowel movement that will probably not resemble anything you ate, but at least it's a start. My experience was very very slow to get back in rythem. Be patient and stay strong and never give up, it will get better. love, Randy0 -
On the road to recoverySandi1 said:My husband is finally home
My husband is finally home. They discharged my husband this morning (Sunday). As of the time he left the hospital he had still not had a bowel movement, but the doctor said you can't go if your not eating. They were feeding him a soft diet, but last night they gave him chicken and Orzo soup. Now you have to understand, my husband is a picky eater and I had to force him to eat the soup at lunch time. Along came dinner and I had to force him again - I got him eating and left the room to use the ladies room and when I came back he said I'm not eating this, I said why not, you have to eat it. He said I found a fingernail in it, oh i said i took it out to his nurse and showed him and he said gross i will order him a new one. My husband said i'm not eating that either ( I don't blame him ). So, I decided that I would make him chicken soup at home and bring it to him, but this morning when the doctor came in he told him about the fingernail and the doctor agreed that the food was bad there. He said since everything is else is going according to plan I will let you go home. He came home and I fed him scrambled eggs and he was having a bowel movement within 45 mins of being home. He has showered and is now watching the race with our son. I am so happy to have him home. Now we just need to get him through the chemo in a month or so and we will be doing good.
Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers and your support. I would not have gotten through this without it.
Sandi
Sandi, So glad he's home and doing ok and that major hurdle is now a thing of the past. Keep us posted on his recovery. God Bless
Diane0
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