Today's Appt. with the General Surgeon

mp327

I saw the general surgeon today to “meet and greet.” I like him very much. We discussed my medical history, issues with bowel blockage, and what will happen if it occurs again. Basically, he told me that the same protocol would be followed as the first time—CT scan to identify any definite blockage and hospitalization for fluids and observation. If it is determined that the blockage requires surgery, he would be most happy to be my surgeon (or one of his partners if it would happen when he’s not available). He did a quick exam of my belly and found nothing of concern.

He does not think my exercise OR my choice of foods is causing the continuing episodes and told me to keep exercising and eat whatever I want. Gee, seems I’ve heard this before, and a couple of times, I think it’s come back to bite me in the gut! I shall be a little less restrictive with my food choices and see what happens. Tonight’s dinner was stir-fry with lots of veggies, so that will be a good first test!

That’s it, that’s all!

 

 

sephie

good, i hope

sounds like you like him .... hope you can eat those veggies with no gut problems.....  glad the exercise is ok.... you know your body better than he does so just be careful and smart....  sephie

eihtak

Martha....

I will keep my fingers crossed for no new problems. I know my situation is slightly different, but I eat lots of fruit and veggies as long as all is well cooked or soft. I have to be sure and chew well and drink lots of water throughout the day and so far no issues. Maybe yours will not be a re-occuring problem after all.

Marynb

Martha
I am glad you like your surgeon and I hope he is also very skilled. Most doctors do not know a thing about diet. I am wondering whether you could consult a dietician? Hopefully, all will go well and you never need surgery. Good luck with those veggies!

pializ

Marynb said:

Martha
I am glad you like your surgeon and I hope he is also very skilled. Most doctors do not know a thing about diet. I am wondering whether you could consult a dietician? Hopefully, all will go well and you never need surgery. Good luck with those veggies!

Martha

Good to liking the surgeon. Good to have that ace up your sleeve 'just in case'. However, I hope his skills are not going to be required.  As for diet post treatment,  (or even during treatment come to that) I was not given any advice except 'eat as normal'. So glad I had all of you to keep me better informed! I think 'they' struggle to know how to advise us. Our intestines are forever different to those not exposed to chemoradiation, & research into helping 'survivors' is in it's infancy. So until (if) that advice is available, I suppose it is 'suck it & see', & enjoy!  Liz

mp327

pializ said:

Martha

Good to liking the surgeon. Good to have that ace up your sleeve 'just in case'. However, I hope his skills are not going to be required.  As for diet post treatment,  (or even during treatment come to that) I was not given any advice except 'eat as normal'. So glad I had all of you to keep me better informed! I think 'they' struggle to know how to advise us. Our intestines are forever different to those not exposed to chemoradiation, & research into helping 'survivors' is in it's infancy. So until (if) that advice is available, I suppose it is 'suck it & see', & enjoy!  Liz

Thanks Everyone!

I appreciate your comments and concern.  The issues about diet, I agree, are a very vague area for a lot of doctors.  They just don't understand the issues that many of us with radiated intestines deal with when it comes to food.  We could all put our heads together and write a book on this subject, I'm sure, as we know the trial and error process and what a crap shoot (sorry!) it can be at times!  I am going to get more adventurous with my food choices, chew, chew, chew!, and make myself drink more water.  I should take a cue from my husband when it comes to water drinking.  He drinks copious amounts!  Servers despise him in restaurants, as they have to continuously refill his water glass.    If both of us are like that, we'll probabaly be asked to either pay for water or leave!  LOL!

Thanks again, my friends, for enduring more of my gut stories, not to be confused with my butt stories.

Marynb

mp327 said:

Thanks Everyone!

I appreciate your comments and concern.  The issues about diet, I agree, are a very vague area for a lot of doctors.  They just don't understand the issues that many of us with radiated intestines deal with when it comes to food.  We could all put our heads together and write a book on this subject, I'm sure, as we know the trial and error process and what a crap shoot (sorry!) it can be at times!  I am going to get more adventurous with my food choices, chew, chew, chew!, and make myself drink more water.  I should take a cue from my husband when it comes to water drinking.  He drinks copious amounts!  Servers despise him in restaurants, as they have to continuously refill his water glass.    If both of us are like that, we'll probabaly be asked to either pay for water or leave!  LOL!

Thanks again, my friends, for enduring more of my gut stories, not to be confused with my butt stories.

Martha
I am wondering if you could work with a dietician? My insurance paid for it and I was helped greatly by it. I do still have issues, but it is usually when I have strayed from what I should be eating. Fats are not my friend!

mp327

Marynb said:

Martha
I am wondering if you could work with a dietician? My insurance paid for it and I was helped greatly by it. I do still have issues, but it is usually when I have strayed from what I should be eating. Fats are not my friend!

Marynb

I'm sure that would be a good idea, which I will seriously consider.  Knock on wood, I have been doing very well lately!

Angela_K

mp327 said:

Thanks Everyone!

I appreciate your comments and concern.  The issues about diet, I agree, are a very vague area for a lot of doctors.  They just don't understand the issues that many of us with radiated intestines deal with when it comes to food.  We could all put our heads together and write a book on this subject, I'm sure, as we know the trial and error process and what a crap shoot (sorry!) it can be at times!  I am going to get more adventurous with my food choices, chew, chew, chew!, and make myself drink more water.  I should take a cue from my husband when it comes to water drinking.  He drinks copious amounts!  Servers despise him in restaurants, as they have to continuously refill his water glass.    If both of us are like that, we'll probabaly be asked to either pay for water or leave!  LOL!

Thanks again, my friends, for enduring more of my gut stories, not to be confused with my butt stories.

Martha

Thank you for keeping us posted. Although I haven't had any noted intestinal issues, I know it is such a possibility down the road.  You continue to be a source of reliable information for us survivors and an inspiration to all.

mp327

Angela_K said:

Martha

Thank you for keeping us posted. Although I haven't had any noted intestinal issues, I know it is such a possibility down the road.  You continue to be a source of reliable information for us survivors and an inspiration to all.

Angela

Thank you so much!  I viewed this appt. with the surgeon as insurance--you know, hoping if you have it, you won't need it! 

sandysp

mp327 said:

Angela

Thank you so much!  I viewed this appt. with the surgeon as insurance--you know, hoping if you have it, you won't need it! 

Good to have in your pocket

It's a relief to know a surgeon you can call if you need it. I hope and pray you will not need one. I agree that vegies are better well cooked if they are in the cabbage brocolli family particularly. I think we each have to find our way with our diets. I do not find that not choosing any alcohol, fish, dairy, eggs, fowl or meats is a problem for me. I am enjoying ancient grains like Farro, which is in a salad I made today. I just like lots of green stuff these days but my body tells me when I need carbs and I keep vitamin B12 handy too. I really believe some of the problems are from food combinations. I bought a jar of a beet and red cabbage sour kraut. It is really good. I was never a big lover of krauts before but here they are really good for you and make eating cabbage much more digestible.

Good luck Martha. I don't know what I would do without exercise. Today I took a nice Yoga class. There are so many different types of exercise to do and here in NY we are having nice fresh air and beautiful weather. Even though I have to wear thigh high compression stockings every day, and a long waisted girdle, it has not been a problem since it hasn't been too hot yet. My legs are much "lighter". Exercising is a very important part of my "maintenance" program. I still don't like to run but it is sure fun taking my dogs for brisk walks.

All the best,

Fondly,

Sandy

mp327

sandysp said:

Good to have in your pocket

It's a relief to know a surgeon you can call if you need it. I hope and pray you will not need one. I agree that vegies are better well cooked if they are in the cabbage brocolli family particularly. I think we each have to find our way with our diets. I do not find that not choosing any alcohol, fish, dairy, eggs, fowl or meats is a problem for me. I am enjoying ancient grains like Farro, which is in a salad I made today. I just like lots of green stuff these days but my body tells me when I need carbs and I keep vitamin B12 handy too. I really believe some of the problems are from food combinations. I bought a jar of a beet and red cabbage sour kraut. It is really good. I was never a big lover of krauts before but here they are really good for you and make eating cabbage much more digestible.

Good luck Martha. I don't know what I would do without exercise. Today I took a nice Yoga class. There are so many different types of exercise to do and here in NY we are having nice fresh air and beautiful weather. Even though I have to wear thigh high compression stockings every day, and a long waisted girdle, it has not been a problem since it hasn't been too hot yet. My legs are much "lighter". Exercising is a very important part of my "maintenance" program. I still don't like to run but it is sure fun taking my dogs for brisk walks.

All the best,

Fondly,

Sandy

Hi Sandy!

I am still determined to eat whatever I want, albeit in smaller amounts than before (depending on what the food is).  Veggies in the cabbage family still scare me.  I'm not really fond of sauerkraut, but I do like red cabbage (the kind from a jar)--I wonder if that would have the same benefits?  I truly believe that exercise has saved me.  It keeps my spirits up, makes me feel strong and alive!  I wear compression knee sleeves when I exercise and at other times also.  I can definitely tell a difference when I wear them. 

I'm so glad you are doing well.  Everybody has to find their way after this treatment and I'd say you've done just that!  Keep up the good work!  Hugs!