Long term disability and colon cancer

fred1247
fred1247 Member Posts: 19
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi everyone, was just wondering has anyone gone on long term disability due to there colon cancer. I am getting ready for my surgery next week and will be on our company's short term disability, we also have a long term disability program that I have paid into for almost 20 years. I am not sure I will need it but better to ask and be prepared than surprised. In talking with my surgeon, he told me to look at 6 to 8 weeks, of recovery and that depends on the individual, and not to do any heavy lifting for a wile after that. My job for the last 20 years has been a traveling all over the world for an international company, not sure how that is going to work out after my surgery and I am sure more chemo. Sorry to ramble on but getting a little nervous on the heals of my surgery next week.

Thanks
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Comments

  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    Having just survived the flu on a 10-hour flight...
    Heehee...my first 'normal' issue in flight since diagnosis!

    Well, I went to and from Los Angeles and The Netherlands during treatment, but I can tell you, if you continue to travel, you need to be WAY vigilant about your environment. I wore a mask on each flight (I would stare down anyone who stared...if they asked, I would say "I am protecting me from you and your germs, I'm a cancer survivor in treatment!"). I would alert the flight attendant if my seat mate was sick....requesting to be moved. (this only happened once...thank goodness!). Another trick: I turned on my air blower (the one in the ceiling) and pointed it to the spot between my seat and the next...it blew the germs the other way. Sort of discouraged conversation with this person...it can get mighty cold on the arm, if they happen to be an armrest hog....

    You will be tired.

    I am self employed, so no luxury of disability. I managed. You need to keep this as an option, but I would suggest wait-and-see...it may not be as bad as you are thinking it will be.

    Hugs, Kathi
  • laudena
    laudena Member Posts: 11
    Long Term Disability
    I have the same kind of program where I work as you have. I went on short term disability for the first 180 days, and then converted to long term. The short term part was a snap to get set up, all I had to do was have my Dr. sign a form and fax it to our HR dept. Getting the long term was a lot more frustrating. We use MetLife for our long term carrier and they had me filling out 16 pages of forms, many that were not even relevant. Trying to call them and get any answers was even more frustrating, but I finally did start getting my checks for the last 2 1/2 months of my medical leave. Compared to MetLife, dealing with the state of California to get my state disability was a piece of cake. One form signed by the Dr, with an expected end date was all that was needed. I had my surgery in Dec 2007 and started chemo on Feb 11th, finished on July 8th, and was released to go back to work on Sept 8th. My onc didn't want me to even try to go back to work for at least 2 months. He would have prefered three, but I just couldn't watch anymore daytime TV. :-) The chem brain did clear up after abut a month as well as most other side effects, except the neropothy, Still dealing with tha. I would be really careful about travel because your white count can get really low, and we all know about airplane air.

    Allan
  • laudena
    laudena Member Posts: 11
    Long Term Disability
    I have the same kind of program where I work as you have. I went on short term disability for the first 180 days, and then converted to long term. The short term part was a snap to get set up, all I had to do was have my Dr. sign a form and fax it to our HR dept. Getting the long term was a lot more frustrating. We use MetLife for our long term carrier and they had me filling out 16 pages of forms, many that were not even relevant. Trying to call them and get any answers was even more frustrating, but I finally did start getting my checks for the last 2 1/2 months of my medical leave. Compared to MetLife, dealing with the state of California to get my state disability was a piece of cake. One form signed by the Dr, with an expected end date was all that was needed. I had my surgery in Dec 2007 and started chemo on Feb 11th, finished on July 8th, and was released to go back to work on Sept 8th. My onc didn't want me to even try to go back to work for at least 2 months. He would have prefered three, but I just couldn't watch anymore daytime TV. :-) The chem brain did clear up after abut a month as well as most other side effects, except the neropothy, Still dealing with tha. I would be really careful about travel because your white count can get really low, and we all know about airplane air.

    Allan
  • CherylHutch
    CherylHutch Member Posts: 1,375 Member
    Long Term Disability
    Hi Fred,

    I'm on Long Term Disability insurance, which is a benefit of my company as well and let me tell you, it's worth it. It's true, you might be recovered quite fine and dandy from the surgery in even less time than the standard 6-8 weeks they suggest... but if you are going to start chemo, you are going to want to be in town for that. Everyone is different with how they react to the chemo but the one reaction that is pretty common is being tired, fatigued and it hits you when you least expect it. I'm not sure if you are going to have radiation as well, but that will be another source of being tired.

    Here's what I suggest... and you can take it or leave it . To have Long Term Disability approved, you have to fill out the forms way in advance... so chances are they will be sending you the forms shortly (or you might want to get in touch with your Human Resources office and have them send them to you). Get them filled out, signed by the doctors, etc. and sent in. It takes awhile to get them approved, which is why you are on short term disability until then. If you find that you DON'T need to go on Long Term Disability, then fine... just because you have approval doesn't mean you now have to. But if you find that you have the chemo coming up and maybe some radiation... then it might be advisable to stay on it until you know how you are going to react to the chemo. You can always go back to work if you feel like it, or go back part time. But you need that approval done first :)

    Hope this helps :)

    Cheryl
  • laudena
    laudena Member Posts: 11
    laudena said:

    Long Term Disability
    I have the same kind of program where I work as you have. I went on short term disability for the first 180 days, and then converted to long term. The short term part was a snap to get set up, all I had to do was have my Dr. sign a form and fax it to our HR dept. Getting the long term was a lot more frustrating. We use MetLife for our long term carrier and they had me filling out 16 pages of forms, many that were not even relevant. Trying to call them and get any answers was even more frustrating, but I finally did start getting my checks for the last 2 1/2 months of my medical leave. Compared to MetLife, dealing with the state of California to get my state disability was a piece of cake. One form signed by the Dr, with an expected end date was all that was needed. I had my surgery in Dec 2007 and started chemo on Feb 11th, finished on July 8th, and was released to go back to work on Sept 8th. My onc didn't want me to even try to go back to work for at least 2 months. He would have prefered three, but I just couldn't watch anymore daytime TV. :-) The chem brain did clear up after abut a month as well as most other side effects, except the neropothy, Still dealing with tha. I would be really careful about travel because your white count can get really low, and we all know about airplane air.

    Allan

    Oops
    Sorry for the double post, but my fingers are still numb and I stuttered on the enter key.
  • fred1247
    fred1247 Member Posts: 19
    laudena said:

    Long Term Disability
    I have the same kind of program where I work as you have. I went on short term disability for the first 180 days, and then converted to long term. The short term part was a snap to get set up, all I had to do was have my Dr. sign a form and fax it to our HR dept. Getting the long term was a lot more frustrating. We use MetLife for our long term carrier and they had me filling out 16 pages of forms, many that were not even relevant. Trying to call them and get any answers was even more frustrating, but I finally did start getting my checks for the last 2 1/2 months of my medical leave. Compared to MetLife, dealing with the state of California to get my state disability was a piece of cake. One form signed by the Dr, with an expected end date was all that was needed. I had my surgery in Dec 2007 and started chemo on Feb 11th, finished on July 8th, and was released to go back to work on Sept 8th. My onc didn't want me to even try to go back to work for at least 2 months. He would have prefered three, but I just couldn't watch anymore daytime TV. :-) The chem brain did clear up after abut a month as well as most other side effects, except the neropothy, Still dealing with tha. I would be really careful about travel because your white count can get really low, and we all know about airplane air.

    Allan

    Long term Disability
    Thanks for your reply Allan, our Long term disability is Prudential, I hope if I need to go on long term disability I don't have to go through what you went through. I would not need to worry about State disability because I don't think I would bother as long as I have the benefit through the company. I have paid into this disability program for 20 years, I hope If I have to use it they don't give me a hard time. The flying and travel part worries me a bit, a 14 hour trip to Tokyo or a 9 hour trip to Germany gives me pause.
  • fred1247
    fred1247 Member Posts: 19

    Long Term Disability
    Hi Fred,

    I'm on Long Term Disability insurance, which is a benefit of my company as well and let me tell you, it's worth it. It's true, you might be recovered quite fine and dandy from the surgery in even less time than the standard 6-8 weeks they suggest... but if you are going to start chemo, you are going to want to be in town for that. Everyone is different with how they react to the chemo but the one reaction that is pretty common is being tired, fatigued and it hits you when you least expect it. I'm not sure if you are going to have radiation as well, but that will be another source of being tired.

    Here's what I suggest... and you can take it or leave it . To have Long Term Disability approved, you have to fill out the forms way in advance... so chances are they will be sending you the forms shortly (or you might want to get in touch with your Human Resources office and have them send them to you). Get them filled out, signed by the doctors, etc. and sent in. It takes awhile to get them approved, which is why you are on short term disability until then. If you find that you DON'T need to go on Long Term Disability, then fine... just because you have approval doesn't mean you now have to. But if you find that you have the chemo coming up and maybe some radiation... then it might be advisable to stay on it until you know how you are going to react to the chemo. You can always go back to work if you feel like it, or go back part time. But you need that approval done first :)

    Hope this helps :)

    Cheryl

    Long term Disability
    Thanks Cheryl, I have been talking to my HR department, and they have been very helpful. as I mentioned I will be on short term disability and that goes for 90 days. What my HR department recommends is to wait till after the surgery so we know the out come and make a determination on where to go from there. So I have at least a few months to get whatever paper work in if I have to go on long term disability. I already have had 5 weeks of radiation and chemo and will have surgery next week, just hoping that I do not have to have a permanent colostomy because that could change everything.
  • fred1247
    fred1247 Member Posts: 19

    Long Term Disability
    Hi Fred,

    I'm on Long Term Disability insurance, which is a benefit of my company as well and let me tell you, it's worth it. It's true, you might be recovered quite fine and dandy from the surgery in even less time than the standard 6-8 weeks they suggest... but if you are going to start chemo, you are going to want to be in town for that. Everyone is different with how they react to the chemo but the one reaction that is pretty common is being tired, fatigued and it hits you when you least expect it. I'm not sure if you are going to have radiation as well, but that will be another source of being tired.

    Here's what I suggest... and you can take it or leave it . To have Long Term Disability approved, you have to fill out the forms way in advance... so chances are they will be sending you the forms shortly (or you might want to get in touch with your Human Resources office and have them send them to you). Get them filled out, signed by the doctors, etc. and sent in. It takes awhile to get them approved, which is why you are on short term disability until then. If you find that you DON'T need to go on Long Term Disability, then fine... just because you have approval doesn't mean you now have to. But if you find that you have the chemo coming up and maybe some radiation... then it might be advisable to stay on it until you know how you are going to react to the chemo. You can always go back to work if you feel like it, or go back part time. But you need that approval done first :)

    Hope this helps :)

    Cheryl

    Long term Disability
    Thanks Cheryl, I have been talking to my HR department, and they have been very helpful. as I mentioned I will be on short term disability and that goes for 90 days. What my HR department recommends is to wait till after the surgery so we know the out come and make a determination on where to go from there. So I have at least a few months to get whatever paper work in if I have to go on long term disability. I already have had 5 weeks of radiation and chemo and will have surgery next week, just hoping that I do not have to have a permanent colostomy because that could change everything.
  • fred1247
    fred1247 Member Posts: 19
    KathiM said:

    Having just survived the flu on a 10-hour flight...
    Heehee...my first 'normal' issue in flight since diagnosis!

    Well, I went to and from Los Angeles and The Netherlands during treatment, but I can tell you, if you continue to travel, you need to be WAY vigilant about your environment. I wore a mask on each flight (I would stare down anyone who stared...if they asked, I would say "I am protecting me from you and your germs, I'm a cancer survivor in treatment!"). I would alert the flight attendant if my seat mate was sick....requesting to be moved. (this only happened once...thank goodness!). Another trick: I turned on my air blower (the one in the ceiling) and pointed it to the spot between my seat and the next...it blew the germs the other way. Sort of discouraged conversation with this person...it can get mighty cold on the arm, if they happen to be an armrest hog....

    You will be tired.

    I am self employed, so no luxury of disability. I managed. You need to keep this as an option, but I would suggest wait-and-see...it may not be as bad as you are thinking it will be.

    Hugs, Kathi

    Thanks Kathi for you
    Thanks Kathi for you response. I use to travel almost every week. I would do around 100,000 miles a year. I am not sure if I will be able to keep that pace up. As I mentioned my surgery is next week, I have already been through the 5 weeks of radiation and chemo. I am sure after the surgery I will be having more chemo. I am hoping that the surgery does not leave me with a permanent colostomy, because that would change every thing. Thanks for your support and thoughts.
  • Long Term Disability
    I too travel for my job but just within the state of Wisconsin. Just a brif history, I had 6 weeks 5FU and radiation, then surgery. Recuperated for a month and then started 6 months of Folfox. Started off using the short term disability, then switched to long term. I did not have a problem with the paper work as others have had. My carrier was Matrix. My carrier's condition for LTD was that IF I returned to work for even 1 day, I started over for qualification (wait one week with no pay, then payments started again). Won't get paid much this way, waiting a week every time you work a single day.
    Please read the small print or ask for clarification of your policy. Chemo is different for everyone so I guess I'd suggest trying it and see how it goes. Thank goodness you have a long term disability plan if you need it. Many people do not have that luxury. Good luck to you with your surgery. Let us know how it goes. I will say a prayer for you that all goes as you hope it will.
    -Sharon
  • fred1247
    fred1247 Member Posts: 19

    Long Term Disability
    I too travel for my job but just within the state of Wisconsin. Just a brif history, I had 6 weeks 5FU and radiation, then surgery. Recuperated for a month and then started 6 months of Folfox. Started off using the short term disability, then switched to long term. I did not have a problem with the paper work as others have had. My carrier was Matrix. My carrier's condition for LTD was that IF I returned to work for even 1 day, I started over for qualification (wait one week with no pay, then payments started again). Won't get paid much this way, waiting a week every time you work a single day.
    Please read the small print or ask for clarification of your policy. Chemo is different for everyone so I guess I'd suggest trying it and see how it goes. Thank goodness you have a long term disability plan if you need it. Many people do not have that luxury. Good luck to you with your surgery. Let us know how it goes. I will say a prayer for you that all goes as you hope it will.
    -Sharon

    Long term Disability
    Thanks Sharon, yes I think I have some time to see how the surgery goes and second how I respond to the next round of chemo. Everyone is different I know, and I hope that the surgery goes well and I do not need a permanent colostomy, because that would be a game changer for me. Our long term disability pays 66% of our salary tax free till age 65, I have paid into this program for 20 years so if I need it I will use it and not worry. But first thing first and that is to get through the surgery first and use my 90 days of short term disability.

    Thanks for the prayers can use all I can get...
  • fez1
    fez1 Member Posts: 47
    Fred- Did you travel OK
    Fred- Did you travel OK while on chemo?? That is awesome. My husband who also traveled around the world when he worked would never have been able to do that while on chemo. He had a terrible time while on it. He was laid off from his job 8 months before he was diagnosed but we often say that he would have had to go on disability during chemo. Plus, you're concerned about the results of surgery and the changes that may occur. Give yourself a break, heed the advice of those who have been there. You've paid your dues for 20 years- that's why you did it. Being off will allow you to focus on healing. I cannot believe that they could deny you with this diagnosis. You will get through this and things will get back to normal. It did for us- and my husband was unemployed- somehow we worked it out and are still keeping our heads above water with our debt. My husband would say "Take advantage of your benefits". My thoughts and prayers are with you.

    Carol
  • Buzzard
    Buzzard Member Posts: 3,043 Member
    fred1247 said:

    Long term Disability
    Thanks Cheryl, I have been talking to my HR department, and they have been very helpful. as I mentioned I will be on short term disability and that goes for 90 days. What my HR department recommends is to wait till after the surgery so we know the out come and make a determination on where to go from there. So I have at least a few months to get whatever paper work in if I have to go on long term disability. I already have had 5 weeks of radiation and chemo and will have surgery next week, just hoping that I do not have to have a permanent colostomy because that could change everything.

    Permanent Colostomy
    Fred.....I have a permanent colostomy and it hasn't changed my life one bit. I have had it since July 15th and it was easily adaptable and no trouble at all. No one even notices it unless I tell them. The gassing is hardly audible for I usually keep my hand close to it by habit or I watch what I eat if I am to be around a lot of people or simply place a sort of pad over it to muffle the gas discharge. I became use to it pretty quick. It is all attitude and attitude is 10% what happens and 90% of how you react to it. Keep the head up and expect to have a permanent colostomy then if you find out you don't you can celebrate , but in the event you find you do its much easier to get through the "kick in the butt" you get for hoping and having them dashed. I learned that this disease will take you in a hundred directions so the best advice is to never try to outguess it, just take each new path in stride and as another path to travel on the road to Freedom and cure.........Good Luck and God Bless
  • fred1247
    fred1247 Member Posts: 19
    Buzzard said:

    Permanent Colostomy
    Fred.....I have a permanent colostomy and it hasn't changed my life one bit. I have had it since July 15th and it was easily adaptable and no trouble at all. No one even notices it unless I tell them. The gassing is hardly audible for I usually keep my hand close to it by habit or I watch what I eat if I am to be around a lot of people or simply place a sort of pad over it to muffle the gas discharge. I became use to it pretty quick. It is all attitude and attitude is 10% what happens and 90% of how you react to it. Keep the head up and expect to have a permanent colostomy then if you find out you don't you can celebrate , but in the event you find you do its much easier to get through the "kick in the butt" you get for hoping and having them dashed. I learned that this disease will take you in a hundred directions so the best advice is to never try to outguess it, just take each new path in stride and as another path to travel on the road to Freedom and cure.........Good Luck and God Bless

    Permanent Colostomy
    Thanks Buzzard, you are probably correct, should plan on wakening up after the surgery with a colostomy bag on my side, worst case. Just difficult thinking about how my working life may change with traveling and having a colostomy. I may be over blowing this situation, not sure if anyone else in the forum has had to travel a great deal with a colostomy. Anyway I am not going to worry about this now, will just see what happens next week after the surgery. All I can do is hope they remove the cancer and can hook me back up.

    Thanks
  • fred1247
    fred1247 Member Posts: 19
    fez1 said:

    Fred- Did you travel OK
    Fred- Did you travel OK while on chemo?? That is awesome. My husband who also traveled around the world when he worked would never have been able to do that while on chemo. He had a terrible time while on it. He was laid off from his job 8 months before he was diagnosed but we often say that he would have had to go on disability during chemo. Plus, you're concerned about the results of surgery and the changes that may occur. Give yourself a break, heed the advice of those who have been there. You've paid your dues for 20 years- that's why you did it. Being off will allow you to focus on healing. I cannot believe that they could deny you with this diagnosis. You will get through this and things will get back to normal. It did for us- and my husband was unemployed- somehow we worked it out and are still keeping our heads above water with our debt. My husband would say "Take advantage of your benefits". My thoughts and prayers are with you.

    Carol

    Travel OK
    HI Carol, I did travel a bit wile on Chemo and than I had to stop because the combination of Chemo and Radiation was too much. I hear what you are saying, I think I am just getting a little apprehensive as I get closer to my surgery date next week. My company that I have been with for some 20 years has been very good to me. I will start my short term disability the 29th of this month. I am fortunate enough to still be employed during all of this so I have insurance and also access to a long term disability program if I should need it. My wife of some 37 years has been a source of strength for me. Thanks for your thoughts and Prayers.
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    fred1247 said:

    Permanent Colostomy
    Thanks Buzzard, you are probably correct, should plan on wakening up after the surgery with a colostomy bag on my side, worst case. Just difficult thinking about how my working life may change with traveling and having a colostomy. I may be over blowing this situation, not sure if anyone else in the forum has had to travel a great deal with a colostomy. Anyway I am not going to worry about this now, will just see what happens next week after the surgery. All I can do is hope they remove the cancer and can hook me back up.

    Thanks

    There are colostomy experts here...
    I am so impressed at how well everyone here that has one does. I can't speak personally (my resection, J-pouch proceedure had me hooked up immediately), but I think it's about attitude. You do what you have to, and learn the tricks. Always carry spare supplies. Watch for leakage, don't eat spicy (which, BTW, we 'hooked up' people, after treatment, also have to watch for....).

    Hugs, Kathi
  • CherylHutch
    CherylHutch Member Posts: 1,375 Member
    fred1247 said:

    Travel OK
    HI Carol, I did travel a bit wile on Chemo and than I had to stop because the combination of Chemo and Radiation was too much. I hear what you are saying, I think I am just getting a little apprehensive as I get closer to my surgery date next week. My company that I have been with for some 20 years has been very good to me. I will start my short term disability the 29th of this month. I am fortunate enough to still be employed during all of this so I have insurance and also access to a long term disability program if I should need it. My wife of some 37 years has been a source of strength for me. Thanks for your thoughts and Prayers.

    You'll do fine, Fred!
    Just chiming in here again. It's so totally normal to be apprehensive for upcoming surgery... any kind of surgery, but especially a surgery that you know you are having to remove cancer. I don't know why a cancer surgery should be any more apprehensive than say, a back surgery or removing your appendix... but it is, so know that your apprehension is totally normal. As the days get closer, you may find yourself getting more anxious and apprehensive.

    As for getting hooked up to the colostomy bag... I am gently going to beg to differ with the attitude "expect the worst and rejoice if it turns out you don't need one". It's sort of like looking at the glass as if it were half full or half empty. My belief system is based on energy... and the energy we release and put out there, we get back tenfold. Everything is based on energy... our thoughts, our bodies, trees, animals, grass, you name it, it is made up of energy. So if our thoughts are energy and we push them out there to the universe and get that energy back tenfold, then one really does have to be careful what they wish for or what thoughts they dwell on.

    I suggest you just tell yourself -- "I'm going in for surgery next week. A surgery that is going to be performed by an extremely talented surgeon. He/She is going to go in and cut out what needs to be cut out to get rid of the cancer and then will sew up the two connecting bits of intestine... and I will then have a smooth recovery. I will not need the help of colostomy bags, or any other aids because I am strong and have all the support I need."

    It's not only a matter of thinking positively, you also must put the energy out there of what you want. I did that and when the Colostomy Nurse came to have a talk with me the night before the surgery, that positive energy way of thinking was really put to the test. She explained the whole process of a colostomy bag, how it works, etc. She then said she was going to mark my sides with an X for the surgeon. If the bag was going to be a temporary bag (6 months), then the surgeon would use the right side, if it was going to be permanent, he would use the left side... and know by the X's where to cut and attach. I thanked her but told her that he's going to be so busy sewing me up, I don't think he will need either X :)

    Well, when I woke up in recovery, apparently they were having a heck of a time getting my pain under control. I, personally, don't remember that at all. But I do remember waking up and started to slap both sides. My Recovery nurse freaked out... "Cheryl, Cheryl... wake up! What are you doing?? Stop slapping yourself!" and I said, "I'm trying to figure out if he's put a bag on me and if so, what side??" The nurse then reassured me that he did not have to put a colostomy bag on me... I have no bag on either side. Oh.. Ok... so then I went back into a peaceful sleep :D

    Who knows if that way of thinking works, but it has worked for me time and time again, that I believe there's a lot to it.

    Good luck, my friend... and do keep us posted... and come back here every day just to yak until your surgery :)

    Huggggggs,

    Cheryl
  • msccolon
    msccolon Member Posts: 1,917 Member

    You'll do fine, Fred!
    Just chiming in here again. It's so totally normal to be apprehensive for upcoming surgery... any kind of surgery, but especially a surgery that you know you are having to remove cancer. I don't know why a cancer surgery should be any more apprehensive than say, a back surgery or removing your appendix... but it is, so know that your apprehension is totally normal. As the days get closer, you may find yourself getting more anxious and apprehensive.

    As for getting hooked up to the colostomy bag... I am gently going to beg to differ with the attitude "expect the worst and rejoice if it turns out you don't need one". It's sort of like looking at the glass as if it were half full or half empty. My belief system is based on energy... and the energy we release and put out there, we get back tenfold. Everything is based on energy... our thoughts, our bodies, trees, animals, grass, you name it, it is made up of energy. So if our thoughts are energy and we push them out there to the universe and get that energy back tenfold, then one really does have to be careful what they wish for or what thoughts they dwell on.

    I suggest you just tell yourself -- "I'm going in for surgery next week. A surgery that is going to be performed by an extremely talented surgeon. He/She is going to go in and cut out what needs to be cut out to get rid of the cancer and then will sew up the two connecting bits of intestine... and I will then have a smooth recovery. I will not need the help of colostomy bags, or any other aids because I am strong and have all the support I need."

    It's not only a matter of thinking positively, you also must put the energy out there of what you want. I did that and when the Colostomy Nurse came to have a talk with me the night before the surgery, that positive energy way of thinking was really put to the test. She explained the whole process of a colostomy bag, how it works, etc. She then said she was going to mark my sides with an X for the surgeon. If the bag was going to be a temporary bag (6 months), then the surgeon would use the right side, if it was going to be permanent, he would use the left side... and know by the X's where to cut and attach. I thanked her but told her that he's going to be so busy sewing me up, I don't think he will need either X :)

    Well, when I woke up in recovery, apparently they were having a heck of a time getting my pain under control. I, personally, don't remember that at all. But I do remember waking up and started to slap both sides. My Recovery nurse freaked out... "Cheryl, Cheryl... wake up! What are you doing?? Stop slapping yourself!" and I said, "I'm trying to figure out if he's put a bag on me and if so, what side??" The nurse then reassured me that he did not have to put a colostomy bag on me... I have no bag on either side. Oh.. Ok... so then I went back into a peaceful sleep :D

    Who knows if that way of thinking works, but it has worked for me time and time again, that I believe there's a lot to it.

    Good luck, my friend... and do keep us posted... and come back here every day just to yak until your surgery :)

    Huggggggs,

    Cheryl

    ROFL!
    Cheryl, you had me in tears with how you came to in recovery slapping yourself and had the nurses freaking out! The way our brains work is really funny! I remember coming to after one of my port insertions and asking my daughter if my eyebrows were still on (had them drawn on and wasn't about to come in even for day surgery without them!). I noticed that my nurses just ignored the question and went on about their business. When I finally completely came out of the anesthesia, Amissa told me I had been asking that question non-stop from the time I came into the recovery room, and apparently had been asking it non-stop for quite a while (for all I know, during the entire procedure!). Now, I just leave the eyebrows at home and don't concern myself! In fact, I give my surgeon a hard time about having conversations with me while I am under anesthesia that I don't remember! I always say, what comes out of my mouth when i HAVE control of my faculties is questionable; all bets are off when i am under anesthesia!
    Mary
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    msccolon said:

    ROFL!
    Cheryl, you had me in tears with how you came to in recovery slapping yourself and had the nurses freaking out! The way our brains work is really funny! I remember coming to after one of my port insertions and asking my daughter if my eyebrows were still on (had them drawn on and wasn't about to come in even for day surgery without them!). I noticed that my nurses just ignored the question and went on about their business. When I finally completely came out of the anesthesia, Amissa told me I had been asking that question non-stop from the time I came into the recovery room, and apparently had been asking it non-stop for quite a while (for all I know, during the entire procedure!). Now, I just leave the eyebrows at home and don't concern myself! In fact, I give my surgeon a hard time about having conversations with me while I am under anesthesia that I don't remember! I always say, what comes out of my mouth when i HAVE control of my faculties is questionable; all bets are off when i am under anesthesia!
    Mary

    I reportedly tried to supervise my latest colonoscopy....
    I was told that I kept warning them to be careful, that I have a J-Pouch, and is it alright? My GI, after the procedure, handed me a picture of my 'new' rectum, and said "See, it is FINE!"

    I was still muddled, but later heard the story....WHAT a PATIENT man!!! (Maybe THAT is why he doesn't want to see me again for 5 years! ROFL).



    Hugs, Kathi
  • msccolon
    msccolon Member Posts: 1,917 Member
    KathiM said:

    I reportedly tried to supervise my latest colonoscopy....
    I was told that I kept warning them to be careful, that I have a J-Pouch, and is it alright? My GI, after the procedure, handed me a picture of my 'new' rectum, and said "See, it is FINE!"

    I was still muddled, but later heard the story....WHAT a PATIENT man!!! (Maybe THAT is why he doesn't want to see me again for 5 years! ROFL).



    Hugs, Kathi

    ROFL!
    You know you were bad when the NURSES are sympathizing with the doc!
    Mary