Home from the Hospital....

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Susan523
Susan523 Member Posts: 231 Member
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
Hi, everyone,

I ended up in the hospital last Monday afternoon... got home last night.

I couldn't poop; and it was EXTREMELY painful! I couldn't even stand up straight.
They tried suppositories & GoLytelly, each 3 or 4 times. Finally on day 5 they used
a water enema (gross, huh?), and it worked. (I never thought in my life I'd be sharing
something like this!). And yes, I had a dang nose-tube, and those things are miserable, and miserable to have them inserted while awake.

The doctor I had was the on-call doctor at my local hospital. When I called my Gyn/Onc, he
said "don't let them do any major procedures without contacting me first". I felt good about that. And when the doctor came to see me, he DID SAY he was "in touch with your Gyn/Onc".

My Gyn/Onc happened to be in town doing a lecture on cervical cancer. (women... get your daughters that vaccine!).
Anyway, he stopped by to see me, and lo & behold, this "on-call doctor" had never called him about me. He actually lied!! (my husband was there, so I know it wasn't chemo-brain).

VERY upsetting, to say the least. Now I don't trust this doctor at all. In fact, after I finally had that bowel movement, he wanted me to "stay 2 more days and see how you do". I told him I wanted to go home, and he said "if you promise to stay on clear liquids for a couple of days".
He also said "no nuts, or grains, or fresh fruit/vegetables". And to make an appointment at this office Mon or Tues. I'm not going to; not after he lied to me.

What should I eat? What should I eat to keep things 'moving', but not too much? And to avoid getting plugged again?

I am still having some cramping and think there's more in there that needs to come out.

I knew you ladies would know the answers; so here I am...

Thank you!

~Susan xoxo

Comments

  • nancy591
    nancy591 Member Posts: 1,027 Member
    #2
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    liquids
    Sorry you had to endure this. Curious to know how many days had passed without going? I was suffering from bowel spasms over the summer so I can understand the pain. And yes, that horrible naso tube. One nurse tried to jam it into my nose it was awful. Chin to chest while sipping through a straw...thats the key.

    So, diet recommendations. From my past experience I would do at least 24hours of liquids or soft foods. Italain ices, soups with no rice. Avoid banannas and rice altogether for awhile. Gradually I'd work up to mash potatoes (love em) and other soft foods. Since my episodes with bowel spasms I eat prunes everyday and drink 64oz of water daily. I do not eat nuts at all and I try to avoid raw veggies. Since I've been doing this I haven't had any major bowel pain. I don't let myself go more than 1 day without a BM. I tend to run to the softer side but I'd rather have that then be backed up. If I feel I'm going too much I cut back on the prunes. Oh, I have to take magnesium supplements and they have a natural laxative effect.

    GOOD LUCK!

    oh, yeah, its funny how talking about all this poop and other stuff becomes common place. I am a nurse though, so I'm used to it.
  • hockeygolf7
    hockeygolf7 Member Posts: 52
    #3
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    So sorry for your problems
    So sorry for your problems this week. Glad you are home. I am so amazed that a Dr. would out and out lie about something like that. I would find someone else for sure. Also I can't imagine why he would say stay away from fruit and veggies. You need the fiber. They have always worked for me. Just remember to drink lots and lots of water. Hope things start to go well soon. Good thoughts coming your way.
  • nancy591
    nancy591 Member Posts: 1,027 Member
    #4
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    hockeygolf7 said:

    So sorry for your problems
    So sorry for your problems this week. Glad you are home. I am so amazed that a Dr. would out and out lie about something like that. I would find someone else for sure. Also I can't imagine why he would say stay away from fruit and veggies. You need the fiber. They have always worked for me. Just remember to drink lots and lots of water. Hope things start to go well soon. Good thoughts coming your way.

    fiber bulk
    Low fiber for now PROBABLY to not aggravate the digestive system. If things are backed up they need to soften. Adding more fiber will increase bulk therefore causing spasms. Get rid of the backup and gradually start adding more fiber. Yes, water is the key! You need more water when you increase fiber.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #5
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    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • Susan523
    Susan523 Member Posts: 231 Member
    #6
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    nancy591 said:

    liquids
    Sorry you had to endure this. Curious to know how many days had passed without going? I was suffering from bowel spasms over the summer so I can understand the pain. And yes, that horrible naso tube. One nurse tried to jam it into my nose it was awful. Chin to chest while sipping through a straw...thats the key.

    So, diet recommendations. From my past experience I would do at least 24hours of liquids or soft foods. Italain ices, soups with no rice. Avoid banannas and rice altogether for awhile. Gradually I'd work up to mash potatoes (love em) and other soft foods. Since my episodes with bowel spasms I eat prunes everyday and drink 64oz of water daily. I do not eat nuts at all and I try to avoid raw veggies. Since I've been doing this I haven't had any major bowel pain. I don't let myself go more than 1 day without a BM. I tend to run to the softer side but I'd rather have that then be backed up. If I feel I'm going too much I cut back on the prunes. Oh, I have to take magnesium supplements and they have a natural laxative effect.

    GOOD LUCK!

    oh, yeah, its funny how talking about all this poop and other stuff becomes common place. I am a nurse though, so I'm used to it.

    Thank you, Nancy!
    Thank you for your good advice. I knew about the water, and I have been drinking lots of that (I always have; even before my dx).

    It was weird, as I had diarrhea all week long, and was 'controlling' it with Metamucil & Lomotil. Maybe I took too much lomotil; but had diarrhea on Sat & Sun, then Monday morning I woke up at 4:30 to go #2, followed by throwing up. It just escalated from there to where I couldn't even walk.

    So I've gone from diarrhea straight to constipation. This has happened before, where my body suddenly changes gears after chemo. (I was 9 weeks out of chemo when this happenened).

    I am still going! lol Yes, it is funny how discussing these things has become routine to us; but I KNEW I'd find answers from my friends here. Thank you, and I think I'll keep the prune juice in mind.

    xoxo
  • Susan523
    Susan523 Member Posts: 231 Member
    #7
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    hockeygolf7 said:

    So sorry for your problems
    So sorry for your problems this week. Glad you are home. I am so amazed that a Dr. would out and out lie about something like that. I would find someone else for sure. Also I can't imagine why he would say stay away from fruit and veggies. You need the fiber. They have always worked for me. Just remember to drink lots and lots of water. Hope things start to go well soon. Good thoughts coming your way.

    Thank you, HG~
    True; I was blown away by the fact that this doctor actually LIED to us! My husband was there, too. But then, so happy that my oncologist stopped by, and I found out the truth before this guy cut on me!

    I will pound the water and use the fiber when it's time. Thank you!! xoxo
  • Susan523
    Susan523 Member Posts: 231 Member
    #8
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    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    Thank you, Nancy,
    I think I actually have some colace here; and that's a great idea.

    I'm with you. No way am I going back to the 'on-call' doctor. Funny how he had convinced my husband & I, by saying "I've probably done more of these operations than your oncologist. I've done hundreds of these operations". Jerk! lol

    I did use an enema today, and it worked. Even got more out of there, and feel better. I still have some cramping, and will use the enema again if necessary.

    Thanks for your input! I sure appreciate it.

    xoxo
  • Hissy_Fitz
    Hissy_Fitz Member Posts: 1,834
    #9
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    Susan523 said:

    Thank you, Nancy,
    I think I actually have some colace here; and that's a great idea.

    I'm with you. No way am I going back to the 'on-call' doctor. Funny how he had convinced my husband & I, by saying "I've probably done more of these operations than your oncologist. I've done hundreds of these operations". Jerk! lol

    I did use an enema today, and it worked. Even got more out of there, and feel better. I still have some cramping, and will use the enema again if necessary.

    Thanks for your input! I sure appreciate it.

    xoxo

    Do they think you had a

    Do they think you had a bowel obstruction? I had one prior to surgery and it was VERY painful.

    I take two stool softeners every day and if the mail starts slowing down, I add a vegetable laxative or a spoon of Miralax.

    Glad you are home, though, and even though he was a complete jerk, I think the doctor was right about the liquid diet for a couple of days.

    Next time you get too loose, you might try the BRAT diet....bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. Taking stuff like Immodium can bind you up really bad.

    Carlene
  • BonnieR
    BonnieR Member Posts: 1,526 Member
    #10
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    Hugs My Friend
    Dear Susan, So sorry to read you ended up in hospital. I use to deal with constipation all the time until I starting using Miralax daily. Yup, every morning take a dose, drink your water during the day and you will be amazed how much this helps. Also, keep a fleets enema on hand if you go more than 3-4 days. My oncologist also recommended using Magnisium Citrate(1/2 bottle) if I went more than 4 days without pooping. Please talk to your onc team about prevention, there are so many things that can help. Hugs ♥ Prayers Bonnie
  • Tina Brown
    Tina Brown Member Posts: 1,036 Member
    #11
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    Hello Susan
    So sorry to hear that you have been having problems. I have been away from the boards for a weekend break to London. However as I contiued to read all of thr posts you seem to be much better. Thinking of you, hope things continue to get better with you.
    Love Tina xxx
  • catcan
    catcan Member Posts: 119
    #12
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    Hi Susan
    Hi Susan

    Sorry to hear you were in the hospital and very glad you are out now. I can't offer any advice as i haven't had it happen to me to that degree. I hope the cramping goes away soon.

    Cat
  • kathryn1
    kathryn1 Member Posts: 88
    #13
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    Hi
    Hi,
    My oncologist told me to take Senecot to keep things moving. It has worked well for me.
    I hope you get better soon!
    Kathryn

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