My father
Hello,
I was wondering if anyone could spear some time and to help me. My father, almost 89, has metastatic colon cancer. He lives in Venezuela, where there is a shortage of everything including medical care and simple medical supplies. His red counts are low, so the doctor recommended iron; however, another doctor said not to give him iron pills because he could get clogged/constipated since he has a tumor inside his colon blocking some of the path. It was recommended iron through IV, but most private clinics are closed due to Good Friday, and we only have pills available. My father seems alert, according to my brother, but he sleeps most of the day and does not want to talk.
Please advice, and God bless you all!
Comments
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Sorry
Sorry to hear of your father, and most that he is in a country that has socialized medicine which can be very difficult to deal with. If he is able to buy some iron pills himself from a pharmacy with his doctor's permission maybe he could try that but that is not a solution to his problem. He needs a doctor soon if he has a blockage. He needs a good medical staff that has a plan for him and it sounds like right now they don't have something like that to offer. I'm sorry that I'm not more encouraging. Hope he can find better medical care.
Kim
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When I was pregnant, I was advised to take Iron with Colace
The iron supplements I took also contained a stool softener (Docusate Sodium) to help avoid constipation. Would that be an option for your dad? If you can't find the combination, perhaps ensuing that he takes a stool softener with his iron might be helpful.
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liver
We attack anemia with any simple liver dishes, 1 - 2 tablespoons per day boosted Hgb for my family from 10 --> 14, after surgery. No problems. Also bone broth from scraps and marrow might be especially useful.
My wife was able to navigate 95+% initial obstruction and anemia for 4 weeks (then surgery) by diet. How much carefully chewed or juiced or hydration or useful cheap drugs, dunno which mattered most. There is a whole ethnobotanical approach with knowm leaves and pits that I would not discount in this situation. We've heard discussions but I am not well versed.
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That sound like a goodabrub said:When I was pregnant, I was advised to take Iron with Colace
The iron supplements I took also contained a stool softener (Docusate Sodium) to help avoid constipation. Would that be an option for your dad? If you can't find the combination, perhaps ensuing that he takes a stool softener with his iron might be helpful.
That sound like a good alternative, thank you so much!
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Hola,Annabelle41415 said:Sorry
Sorry to hear of your father, and most that he is in a country that has socialized medicine which can be very difficult to deal with. If he is able to buy some iron pills himself from a pharmacy with his doctor's permission maybe he could try that but that is not a solution to his problem. He needs a doctor soon if he has a blockage. He needs a good medical staff that has a plan for him and it sounds like right now they don't have something like that to offer. I'm sorry that I'm not more encouraging. Hope he can find better medical care.
Kim
Hola,
Thank you very much for your feedback. I snet him some iron pills, but we are concerned about him becoming constipated. We are trying to get him to an oncologist, private, tomorrow. We'll see what he has to say.
Thank you very much for responding!
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Yes, liver could help. Mytanstaafl said:liver
We attack anemia with any simple liver dishes, 1 - 2 tablespoons per day boosted Hgb for my family from 10 --> 14, after surgery. No problems. Also bone broth from scraps and marrow might be especially useful.
My wife was able to navigate 95+% initial obstruction and anemia for 4 weeks (then surgery) by diet. How much carefully chewed or juiced or hydration or useful cheap drugs, dunno which mattered most. There is a whole ethnobotanical approach with knowm leaves and pits that I would not discount in this situation. We've heard discussions but I am not well versed.
Yes, liver could help. My brother has been looking for it, but he has not been able to find any. We will continue the search. My father is driking all kind of possible juices to help him raise his red blood cells. In fact, he had blood work today and the RBC are the same. At least these are not going down.
Thank you very much for your input!
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Hello Fayard,
Hello Fayard,
If any medicine or prescription medicine is not found in Venezuela so you will try an online pharmacy. I have also used an online pharmacy for my cancer care prescription. I am suffering from throat cancer.
[Content removed by CSN Support Team.]
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Afortunatelly, many of theseTwinzma said:Diet
I would try to get him to also eat foods, if he can, that are rich in iron. Beans, lentils, cashews and spinach would be good choices. I hope he feels better soon!
Afortunatelly, many of these foods give my father gas. I is ona soft diet, since one of the tumors is inside the colon. However, there is still room for him to have bowel movements.
Thank you!
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Hola Miller,miller1123 said:Hello Fayard,
Hello Fayard,
If any medicine or prescription medicine is not found in Venezuela so you will try an online pharmacy. I have also used an online pharmacy for my cancer care prescription. I am suffering from throat cancer.
[Content removed by CSN Support Team.]
Hola Miller,
I appreciate your feedback. Some of it was removed. If you can, please send me a message with whatever was removed.
Thank you and good luck with your treatment!
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Update
Hello,
I wanted to share with everyone an update on my father’s health. He is in the process of having a colostomy. The doctor said that is best to have it done now that he is still sort of strong than waiting until he has an obstruction. We are now very stressed about the bags he is going to need. As I mentioned before, Venezuela is not a country where you can’t easy find food, so much less colostomy bags, not to mention the costs L He is in pain constantly: lower back, legs and around tumor. I have sent him some CBD oil to try for pain, but it has not arrived yet. He currently takes Tramal/Tramadol and also a shot of a similar pain killer when the pain is unbearable.
Does anyone know about any retail online store where I can explore prices? Donation centers? Leftovers from anyone? I have been trying to find out the type of bags my father will need, but it has become a challenge. I am not sure if the bags just come in one type/size? Any advice is greatly appreciated.
God bless you all!
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ostomy supplies
You can get on-line and go to web sites for Coloplast and Hollister. You can request samples, they will be glad to send them to you in USA free of charge.
There are almost too many to choose from...I personally use a 2 piece drainable. This allows for emptying rather than replacing the bag when full. It also allows for you to just replace the bag if necessary and the flang is still holding well.
I would also suggest that you get flang which already has opening rather than one that needs to be cut to size....just easier.
The size of the flang will be the unknown until the ostomy is done...size varies...also some shrinkage after a short period after surgery.
Another variable is also the position of the stoma. Some a more protruding than others. Depending on this you will need to either have convex or concave.
Don't be confused too much. Just get the samples and have your dad let you know what works or what doesn't. There are a number of companies which are set up for sales of the two major companies products...just search internet for ostomy supplies. I think you can also get on Amazon. Pricing, as with anything is a crap shoot depending on the day.
Best wishes to your dad and to your search to help him.
Marie who loves kitties
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Hola!Lovekitties said:ostomy supplies
You can get on-line and go to web sites for Coloplast and Hollister. You can request samples, they will be glad to send them to you in USA free of charge.
There are almost too many to choose from...I personally use a 2 piece drainable. This allows for emptying rather than replacing the bag when full. It also allows for you to just replace the bag if necessary and the flang is still holding well.
I would also suggest that you get flang which already has opening rather than one that needs to be cut to size....just easier.
The size of the flang will be the unknown until the ostomy is done...size varies...also some shrinkage after a short period after surgery.
Another variable is also the position of the stoma. Some a more protruding than others. Depending on this you will need to either have convex or concave.
Don't be confused too much. Just get the samples and have your dad let you know what works or what doesn't. There are a number of companies which are set up for sales of the two major companies products...just search internet for ostomy supplies. I think you can also get on Amazon. Pricing, as with anything is a crap shoot depending on the day.
Best wishes to your dad and to your search to help him.
Marie who loves kitties
Hola!
Thank you very much for your detailed reply, I greatly appreciate it! I am going to searchmore online right now. Asking for samples is a great start.
God bless you!
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Pain ReliefFayard said:Hola!
Hola!
Thank you very much for your detailed reply, I greatly appreciate it! I am going to searchmore online right now. Asking for samples is a great start.
God bless you!
I don't know anything about ostomy's or supplies but I would like to mention some exprience I have with chronic and often times severe rectal pain. I see above that your father has some Tramadol available but that is a very weak pain med. it is a very small amount of opiod with a lot of acetaminophen. For me it help a tiny bit but was not even close to enough to give me decent pain relief. I am currently prescribed fentanyl patches and a sublingual spray for breakthrough pain but to be honest when my pain is only moderate it seems to me like driving a nail with a sledgehammer. I have found that using medical marijuana in the form of a concentrated oil (Rick Simpson Oil) helps relieve the pain tremedously and helps me use less of the opiod meds another good effect is that it really kicks up my appetite so I can eat even when I really don't want to eat. I mention this even though I have no clue as to the availablity or legality of making this oil in Venezuela but I will include a link to a video about this option. When living in a country where even basic survival is a daily challenge, medical care very limited, and even basic supplies are difficult to find. This may be a helpful alternative to prescription pain meds and it may even help with some anti-cancer properties.
Video- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DK0NJRJAZag
Tim
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Hola,LSU2001 said:Pain Relief
I don't know anything about ostomy's or supplies but I would like to mention some exprience I have with chronic and often times severe rectal pain. I see above that your father has some Tramadol available but that is a very weak pain med. it is a very small amount of opiod with a lot of acetaminophen. For me it help a tiny bit but was not even close to enough to give me decent pain relief. I am currently prescribed fentanyl patches and a sublingual spray for breakthrough pain but to be honest when my pain is only moderate it seems to me like driving a nail with a sledgehammer. I have found that using medical marijuana in the form of a concentrated oil (Rick Simpson Oil) helps relieve the pain tremedously and helps me use less of the opiod meds another good effect is that it really kicks up my appetite so I can eat even when I really don't want to eat. I mention this even though I have no clue as to the availablity or legality of making this oil in Venezuela but I will include a link to a video about this option. When living in a country where even basic survival is a daily challenge, medical care very limited, and even basic supplies are difficult to find. This may be a helpful alternative to prescription pain meds and it may even help with some anti-cancer properties.
Video- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DK0NJRJAZag
Tim
Hola,
Yes, Tramadol is weak, but it is what we can find. It is difficult, and if found mega exoensive, to find a stronger prescription. I will pass this along to my brother to see if it is doable.
Thank you very much for sharing!
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Tramadol contains no acetimenophen (paracetamol)LSU2001 said:Pain Relief
I don't know anything about ostomy's or supplies but I would like to mention some exprience I have with chronic and often times severe rectal pain. I see above that your father has some Tramadol available but that is a very weak pain med. it is a very small amount of opiod with a lot of acetaminophen. For me it help a tiny bit but was not even close to enough to give me decent pain relief. I am currently prescribed fentanyl patches and a sublingual spray for breakthrough pain but to be honest when my pain is only moderate it seems to me like driving a nail with a sledgehammer. I have found that using medical marijuana in the form of a concentrated oil (Rick Simpson Oil) helps relieve the pain tremedously and helps me use less of the opiod meds another good effect is that it really kicks up my appetite so I can eat even when I really don't want to eat. I mention this even though I have no clue as to the availablity or legality of making this oil in Venezuela but I will include a link to a video about this option. When living in a country where even basic survival is a daily challenge, medical care very limited, and even basic supplies are difficult to find. This may be a helpful alternative to prescription pain meds and it may even help with some anti-cancer properties.
Video- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DK0NJRJAZag
Tim
In fact, the 2 may be taken concurrently to enhance the pain relief (tho no more than 3,000mg of acetomenaphen/day). Tramadol may also be taken with an NSAID (Ibuprophen or Naproxen) but please check with your pharmacist. I believe I was sent home from my most recent surgery with Tramadol and Acetimenophen.
Alice
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Thank you!abrub said:Tramadol contains no acetimenophen (paracetamol)
In fact, the 2 may be taken concurrently to enhance the pain relief (tho no more than 3,000mg of acetomenaphen/day). Tramadol may also be taken with an NSAID (Ibuprophen or Naproxen) but please check with your pharmacist. I believe I was sent home from my most recent surgery with Tramadol and Acetimenophen.
Alice
Thank you!
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Hello everyone,
Hello everyone,
I wanted to let everyone know that my father is having his colostomy on Monday. My brother had buy even the scrubs the doctors need to perform the surgery, as well as needles, gloves, mask, anesthesia, etc. Fortunately, he was able to find everything needed.
We still don’t know the kind of pouch my father will have, so I am still waiting to order some items here and send them to him. We are now in the stage of planning for my father’s care, and I have some questions I thought some of you can answer:
What brand would you recommend for reusable pouches?
Do you have to wash the inside of the pouch after emptying it? The Hollister website (Ostomy brand) recommends not to wash the reusable pouches, because it diminishes the pouch’s life spam.
Do you have to wear gloves while cleaning the pouch? I watched a video in the Hollister (Ostomy brand) website, and it did not mention anything about gloves. They also mention cleaning the opening with sanitary paper in the inside and use a wipe for the outside.
Every piece of advice is greatly appreciated: brands, skin barriers, tapes, accessories, etc.
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Surgery
I'm glad that your father is finally having his surgery but your brother having to buy the scrubs and related items for your fathers surgery just seems so far fetched. It's hard to imagine a country where someone has to buy these items for a surgery. Socialized medicine can limit the type of care you get so it is sad to see your father in this terrible situation.
The pouch will depend on your father's stoma once he gets it. There are so many different stomas depending on how the doctor places it and how it turns out. Many ostomy suppliers will glady send samples out for free for trial just to have the patient try which works best for them. I'm not sure about his country, but USA has home health care come in for about 3 weeks after surgery to help assist the patient so what you say about his health care, I'm not sure if that happens.
You don't necessarily have to wear gloves, but it's a good idea after changing to wash your hands completely. And no, you don't wash the pouch after using. Depending on the pouch he has it can last up to 4-5 days in between changes.
Wishing him the best of luck for the surgery and let us know how he does.
Make sure that he walks, walks, walks after surgery as this will help him heal. He might hurt, but it will get things moving for him.
Kim
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Hola Kim!Annabelle41415 said:Surgery
I'm glad that your father is finally having his surgery but your brother having to buy the scrubs and related items for your fathers surgery just seems so far fetched. It's hard to imagine a country where someone has to buy these items for a surgery. Socialized medicine can limit the type of care you get so it is sad to see your father in this terrible situation.
The pouch will depend on your father's stoma once he gets it. There are so many different stomas depending on how the doctor places it and how it turns out. Many ostomy suppliers will glady send samples out for free for trial just to have the patient try which works best for them. I'm not sure about his country, but USA has home health care come in for about 3 weeks after surgery to help assist the patient so what you say about his health care, I'm not sure if that happens.
You don't necessarily have to wear gloves, but it's a good idea after changing to wash your hands completely. And no, you don't wash the pouch after using. Depending on the pouch he has it can last up to 4-5 days in between changes.
Wishing him the best of luck for the surgery and let us know how he does.
Make sure that he walks, walks, walks after surgery as this will help him heal. He might hurt, but it will get things moving for him.
Kim
Hola Kim!
Thank you very much for your detailed feedback. Yes, socialized medicine actually hurts citizens. It adds a layer of stress to situations already stressful. I am going to contact a few manufactures here, since in Venezuela that does not work. No, there isn't any nurse sevices coming to your home, unless you pay HUGE bucks for it. That maybe the case for my father. Thank you very much for the advice. I will definitely let my father know about walking after surgery.
Have a great Sunday!
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