calling all ostomy patients! help needed

pia123run

My pa has an ileostomy. He had surgery 10-27-05 for rectal cancer.

My pa started liqueds 10-28-05.On 10-29-05 he had nausea he then had profuse vomitting. The Dr. inserted a tube up his nose and down his throat to his stomach to empty it. The liqued that was emptied from his stomach via the tube is green. I asked the nurse if it was from an infection she said no.The doctor discontinued liqueds for the next 24 hours. He is very sick, I feel very bad about this. Has any one else experienced this?

chynabear

Pia,

My surgery was for colon cancer, but the same general type of operation. I want to start by saying that I am in no way a professional in this field and everything I am going to say comes from my experience and others that I know.

First, the liquid being green is normal. I had the tube for the first few days after surgery. When your colon is operated on (and I believe rectal to?) it goes into shock and shuts down comepletely. Now, even if there are no liquids or solids put into the system your body produces natural waste. This waste is generally green in color (mine was anyway).

Typically, they will not give you even liquids for the first couple of days until you start to pass gas and your "insides" start to make noise again indicating they are awake. My stomache came alive much quicker than most and my surgeon was even surprised. Still, she felt it was best to wait longer before I was given anything.

To me, it sounds like your pa was given liquid way before his system was able to handle it. Thus, his stomache filling up on liquids they gave him on top of his natural waste building up. I think I had the tube for around three days before they pulled it and gave me liquids. I might be wrong and it was only two. All I know is that I was getting aweful thirsty and hungry before they even considered pulling it.

Oh Pia, I feel for your pa and will say a prayer. Having to go through all of this is bad enough. I can't imagine being ill on top of it all feels like.

Take care,

Patricia

cal79

Hi Pia,

I also have an ileostomy for rectal cancer. After I started liquids in hospital I too had profuse vomiting, and this was due to the bowel not waking up properly after surgery. My output from the stoma was always green when I was in hospital, and it can still be green now (6 months later) depending on what I eat.

However, the initial problems I had with the vomiting and inability to tolerate any food or liquid was fairly short lived, and I have had no problems since.

I hope this resolves soon and your pa feels much better very quickly.

Cal

Moesimo

Pia,
I feel you dad's pain. the green is normal it is bile. Your dad will get better. I have had 3 surgeries because of my cancer and have had a post op ileus after each one. After my last surgery i was sent home twice and each time I had to return to the hospital because I could not eat. It was 3 weeks before I was home for good, but I felt well enough when I was only 7 weeks post op and went on a cruise.
Your dad will feel better soon.

Moe

Shoda

Pia
I also had this surgery and they left the tube in for 3 days. My body was producing green bile only for the 3 days. Tube was removed and I was given nothing by mouth for another two days, but still passed green bile only. They then started me on liquid diet, then progressed to soft and then normal food before springing me from the hospital. I think maybe your dad was just given something too soon for his body to tolerate. His surgery needs to heal first. I think it was a pretty normal reaction. I am sorry he is so sick and my thoughts & prayers are with you.
Shoda

scouty

When I had acute perontinitis, the fluid pumped out of my stomach was black and disgusting. With IVs over time, the black slowly changed to green and then I got well. Green was good according to the nurses!!!!! Once he starts eating foods, it will change.

Lisa P.

Unknown

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