First Surgery to Colon

Ugur

Ups and downs

Today generally I was ok but before evening again I got bit worse. Nothing major, but feeling dizzy and need to go to toilet every 15-20 mins.

I guess this will continue for a while. We will see what comes next.

abrub

Ugur said:

Thanks kindly

Hi Jan,

No, they have not checked for abcess so far as I can tell, however I am no doctor. But I can tell from what I experienced, it seems these are usual complications. The doctors and nurses are telling the same. Not the things we want to have, but these symptoms may happen to anyone after such surgery as we're told.

I also hate NG tubes, the first day I tried to convince nurses that it is impossible that I would stand with it one hour. I had it two and half day. Then they removed the first one but I vomited again yesterday, so I had twice. This second one is not necessary ,to be honest. It hasn't drained one drop of any liquid so far. But I realized that when I have the tube, I don't feel like a full balloon. I guess it helps to my stomach with the unwanted gass, so I am going to stand it till I get in better shape. I'm no quiter.

Thanks again for your kind message

I had the blasted NG for 3 weeks

And fought it constantly.  But it probably saved my life.

Alice

Trubrit

Long posts

You make your posts just as long as you want, because that is why the forum is here. It is teraputic to unload, so go ahead, and do it. 

I am so sorry for the trials you are experiencing. It all sounds rather awful; and I hope it gets better really soon. 

I know one day you'll look back on this, because it will be in the past, but right now it is happening, and you are entitled to feel wearied by it. 

Here's to improvement, and soon. 

Tru

Annabelle41415

Ugur said:

6th day in ICU

Yeah, it has been 5 total days in intensive care, and I can't say it is going easy.

Anyway, no whining. The worst enemy here is time. Time flows so slow that sometimes I stare at the wall-clock to kill the time.

First days were really hard on me. Second day after surgery on Saturday, I had too much vomit that they had to put NG tube from my nose till stomach. So far, that was the worst day here for me.

3rd day I was really alright. Although I hate this NG tubes, I must admit that they help to stomach a lot with releasing gases and upsetting fluids. So I was feeling much better and I needed to go to toilet very often that my nurses are not happy to plug me in and out 10-12 times a day including the night. During this time I had to walk to toilet and back, so it was a good exercise too.

Yesterday, they unplugged all the pipes/tubes from my body and I was so relieved. They also started to  feed me with soft and liquid food slowly. However, during yesterday I started to feel nausea slowly. Before evening I had vomit again. I threw out most of the stuff I ate during the day. It wasn't much, but anyway I had not eaten much either. It seems like, my stomach doesn't want to work much. After vomiting, they put the NG tube again. But, since then I feel great. No nausea, no fatigue.

Today, I had a small shower and it was relaxing. I didn't have to run for toilet even once, interestingly. I have eaten one small mashed apple. As last, they closed the NG tube to see if my stomach will cooperate today.

I miss home madly. Due to complication during my last chemo, I had to stay at hospital unexpectedly long. Almost for two weeks I have been staying at hospitals without getting home. Luckily, they let me see my wife every day for couple of hours, those are the only pleasant hours.

Sleeping is another issue that I am with 3 hours of sleeping everyday. I just can't sleep, especially with this tube going out of my nose, it is really impossible to have a nice long sleep, even in the nights.

Sorry for long entry, I just wanted to update here briefly.

I keep my strong and positive attitude as much as I can, and I am wishing my liver mets to stay less aggressive till next chemo. I guess I will miss 2 weeks from my chemo schedule.

Please write me all your ideas about my situation.

Thanks very much to every and each of you for your kind messages.

And BTW, how long do you guys think I will have to stay hospitalized more?

I'll keep here updated if anything new comes up

Ugur

Sleeping

Ahhh yes the sleeping medication.  They should have already suggested that.  As far as eating, that is a doctor's choice whether he will give it to you or not.  My doctor wouldn't let me have any food until after 5 days after surgery and then the next day they released me.  They gave me an ileostomy so they wouldn't let me go until that was working which took five days.  I'm hoping that you get to go home soon.  Thanks for the update.

Kim

Ugur

Trubrit said:

Long posts

You make your posts just as long as you want, because that is why the forum is here. It is teraputic to unload, so go ahead, and do it. 

I am so sorry for the trials you are experiencing. It all sounds rather awful; and I hope it gets better really soon. 

I know one day you'll look back on this, because it will be in the past, but right now it is happening, and you are entitled to feel wearied by it. 

Here's to improvement, and soon. 

Tru

You are just wonderful

Very good point and thank you for comforting me about long posts.

I just want to share my story to the people who can understand me the best.

Thanks again Tru

Ugur

No more @ICU

Hey everyone,

I am doing well and I left intensive care unit finally. 
I must tell that I had missed the feeling of going to wherever I want when I need.

I am having some soft diet. The stool is still only water-like, but I hope I will soon start to have normal toilet experiences

Thanks again for all the kind and nice messages,

U.

Joan M

I had colon surgery April 20th

Mine was done via robotic surgery at Mayo Clinic.  My doctor said not to eat any fresh fruits or vegetables for 2 weeks, I was told to eat lots of protein to help the tissues repair.  Also said not to lift over 10 pounds for 6 weeks to avoid hernias in internal stitching.  Another thing they did was give me Hibicleanse antibiotic body wash and said I must shower every day with the antibiotic soap for 14 days.  Also I couldn't drive for 2 weeks.   I was told to take ibuprofen to reduce inflamation and alternate with tylenol for pain.  My oncologis told me to take hydrcodone or oxycotin for pain because they are easier on our bodies, to avoid kidney or liver damage from the other pain meds. Also told to take Miralax to avoid constipation and help form stools. 

Today is the first day without pain meds.  I went most of the day yesterday but then needed some in the evening. 

Good luck to you!  I'd love to hear how you are doing.

Joan M

Ugur

Joan M said:

I had colon surgery April 20th

Mine was done via robotic surgery at Mayo Clinic.  My doctor said not to eat any fresh fruits or vegetables for 2 weeks, I was told to eat lots of protein to help the tissues repair.  Also said not to lift over 10 pounds for 6 weeks to avoid hernias in internal stitching.  Another thing they did was give me Hibicleanse antibiotic body wash and said I must shower every day with the antibiotic soap for 14 days.  Also I couldn't drive for 2 weeks.   I was told to take ibuprofen to reduce inflamation and alternate with tylenol for pain.  My oncologis told me to take hydrcodone or oxycotin for pain because they are easier on our bodies, to avoid kidney or liver damage from the other pain meds. Also told to take Miralax to avoid constipation and help form stools. 

Today is the first day without pain meds.  I went most of the day yesterday but then needed some in the evening. 

Good luck to you!  I'd love to hear how you are doing.

Joan M

Hi Joan

Happy to hear you had a successful operation, sad that you had to do it the first point.

Since I left ICU, I am doing well.

I slowly started to eat harder food like little pieces of meat, pasta and white bread. I had started to refuse to have painkillers already back in ICU, I guess last two days. Since then I don't need any, thanks to god. I am sure you will be out of pain soon too. I have a surgery scar approximately 15-20 cm big, and it should be partly healed before I will be able to chemo back. Next 6 weeks I can't lift heavy things, and I should be careful while standing up to my feet from bed.

Most probably, tomorrow I will be home already, hopefully without any complications. I will have to keep a diet for next three weeks. The diet focuses on the foods and beverages which can be fully digested and won't irritate the bowels. 
The only medication I will be having for sure for now, is some injection to keep the blood flow in order. They may also give some meds for stomach. 
They have not informed about anything else yet. If I will have any other rutin for the next weeks, I will update here.

Thanks for your message,
Uğur