Back from Hospital

Annabelle41415
Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi all: Just wanted to let you know I'm home from surgery. Doctor told my husband that it went better than expected and he was able to do a j-pouch with temporary ileostomy and that everything looked good and the tumor had shrunk really well. Surgery was to last anywhere from 4-6 hours and it was about 4 1/2. I was so sick from anesthetic because I told them how frightened I was from seeing that movie "awake" so they gave me a little extra, but of course I didn't wake up.

I've been drinking a lot of water and trying to walk as much as possible, but my appetite is just not there. I think it is from drinking so much water. Yesterday I had 1 egg and half a piece of toast and today I had 1 egg and 1/2 pudding cup.

Wow it is so hard to turn over in bed without the side rails there. I sure counted on those to get me in and out of bed.

I have the home care nurse coming tomorrow so I am gathering a list of questions. I feel lost with this ileostomy as I didn't know until less than a week before surgery I was having it (thought it was a permanent colostomy) so I'm not sure of what to expect.

Thanks for keeping me in your thoughts and prayers.

Hugs!
Kim
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Comments

  • PamPam2
    PamPam2 Member Posts: 370 Member
    #2
    Hi Kim. Glad to hear you got
    Hi Kim. Glad to hear you got through surgery ok and home already. Also great to hear the ostomy can be reversed. I was sure glad when I got mine reversed, though I guess it got pretty routine to deal with it, after a while. The couch became my bed after surgery for awhile, as I could prop myself up sideways on it easier and get on and off it much easier than my bed, and I pulled the coffee table up close to keep all my stuff close. If you have any questions about the ostomy just ask, there are lots of us here that have had to deal with one. Be careful as you heal, and wishing you best as you recuperate.
    Pam
  • Glv49
    Glv49 Member Posts: 206 Member
    #3
    So glad your home and
    So glad your home and everything went well for you. I don't know anything about the illeostomy, only the colostomy. You will be up and feeling good in no time. My hubby's surgery is this Friday, for his liver resection. As always, keeping everyone here in my prayers.

    Gail
  • VickiCO
    VickiCO Member Posts: 917
    #4
    Kim! Good news!
    I am glad it went so well and you are home already. I have been thinking of you and praying a lot. Take it one day at a time...and keep walking. It truly does help.

    Welcome back! Vicki
  • usakat
    usakat Member Posts: 610 Member
    #5
    Welcome Home!
    Hello Kim ~

    Glad your surgery went well and that you seem to be recovering as close to perfectly as possible. Good for you! You have an amazing spirit and a great attitude - you'll be fine. I truly admire your strength.

    Keep us posted on your progress and let us know how we can help.

    My thoughts and prayers for comfort and healing are yours!

    Gentle Hugs,
    Katie
  • spongebob
    spongebob Member Posts: 2,565 Member
    #6
    WELCOME HOME
    Hey, Kim -

    Glad to hear things went well for you. Good to have you back!

    Be well

    - SB
  • msccolon
    msccolon Member Posts: 1,917 Member
    #7
    thanks for giving us an update!
    I am so glad to hear you are home and the surgery went well! I was lucky the first time I went in for the abdominal surgery, my mother (a retired RN) was with me and showed me how to get myself up and out of my bed without any trouble! I do remember not only being afraid I wouldn't be able to get out of bed, but I was afraid of the darkness of my room! After having those lights constantly at the hospital, my small town home was very, very dark at night! In fact, I had to leave a light on in my closet for the first few nights! :) Hope you recover super fast and I look forward to more posts on your journey! I continue to pray for you.
    mary
  • Kathleen808
    Kathleen808 Member Posts: 2,342 Member
    #8
    hi kim
    Hi Kim,
    It is so good to see you posting and to see your smiling face. It's good to hear your home. We're thinking of you. I hope the nurse visit tomorrow goes well and you get all your questions answered.
    Aloha,
    Kathleen
  • mom_2_3
    mom_2_3 Member Posts: 953 Member
    #9
    Glad you're home!
    Kim,

    So glad you're home. I found that my mental attitude was so much better as soon as we pulled into the driveway of our home. "There's no place like home, there's no place like home."

    When getting out of bed remember not to try to sit straight up but to roll-over to one side and get up from the position.

    Best wishes for a speedy recovery!!

    Amy
  • kmygil
    kmygil Member Posts: 876 Member
    #10
    Good to be home!
    Hi Kim,

    It is good to hear that you are home and that your surgery went well. Yes, getting out of bed without those railings is not easy, but I found that rolling onto your side and sitting up sideways, rather than straight up like a situp, is much easier. It becomes sort of a rolling motion out of bed instead of a series of straight motions. Anyway, heal quickly.

    Praying for you,
    Kirsten
  • dianetavegia
    dianetavegia Member Posts: 1,942 Member
    #11
    So glad to hear you're home!
    I remembered you in prayer and am so happy to hear your report! I'll be thinking of you during the day and sending up a prayer for your pain and appetite (other needs, too). Welcome Home gal!

    Hey, how many of your 8 kids still live at home? I almost fell out of my chair when I saw you have 8 children! Whew! God bless ya, woman!
  • dixchi
    dixchi Member Posts: 431
    #12
    Welcome Back
    So glad to hear the surgery went smoothly and that you are back
    home; ditto on the suggestion about walking as much as you can
    and be good to yourself.....am sure the appetite will pick up
    soon.
    Hugs,
    Barbara
  • Kanort
    Kanort Member Posts: 1,272 Member
    #13
    Healing Hugs!
    Hi Kim,

    I'm glad you are recovering at home. Being around the things you love is very healing in itself. Take care and keep us posted on your progress.

    Hugs,

    Kay
  • lmliess
    lmliess Member Posts: 329
    #14
    Welcome home!
    Glad everything went well. Keep walking and drinking that water!
  • angelsbaby
    angelsbaby Member Posts: 1,165 Member
    #15
    lmliess said:

    Welcome home!
    Glad everything went well. Keep walking and drinking that water!

    Very good news
    Theres no place like home, get well soon

    michelle
  • kimby
    kimby Member Posts: 797
    #16
    Kim
    Heal well and take care of yourself. I'm glad it went well and know it will get better everyday.

    Hugs,

    Kimby
  • lisa42
    lisa42 Member Posts: 3,625 Member
    #17
    yay!
    Hi Kim,

    I'm so glad to hear from you and that you're home and doing alright. I remember following my surgery (liver, not colon) that I thought I'd never be able to get up or move on my own again. Lying in bed once home, propped up with pillows behind me and on both sides of me for a couple of weeks was quite an experience too. Then, little by little, it gets better and easier. You'll be fine. I'm glad to hear you were able to get the temporary ileostomy with the j pouch.
    Try to keep moving, but listen to your body and don't overdo it. I tried to be a bit "too brave" at first and ended up overdoing it so that I could hardly move again for a couple of days, at one time. I learned then that I needed to push myself gently (sounds like an oxymoron doesn't it- can one gently push oneself? :) Anyhow, that's what I did from then on and it worked.

    Take care and God bless,
    Lisa
  • lmliess
    lmliess Member Posts: 329
    #18
    Question for Lisa42? Or anyone who has had a liver resection...
    I noticed in one of your posts you had liver resection done? I am heading to MD Anderson next week for my mets to be removed by Dr Curley. 2/3 of the liver. I am starting to get anxious. What can I expect afterwards pain wise? Where do they actually go in? Front or back? I am still recovering from the colostomy surgery so I just wanted to get an idea how much this will put me back down?

    Any suggestions or advise?
  • tootsie1
    tootsie1 Member Posts: 5,044 Member
    #19
    Good to have a report
    I'm so glad to hear from you, Kim. Glad you did well in the surgery! I'll be praying your pain will be less very soon. Sending good thoughts your way right now!

    *hugs*
    Gail
  • Monicaemilia
    Monicaemilia Member Posts: 455 Member
    #20
    Iliestomy
    Hi Kim: First of all, I am really happy that everything went well and you are well on the road to recovery. I have had an iliestomy for three years and I have had a colostomy for a short while. An Iliestomy is much easier to handle and deal with. To me it is now part of me and does not bother me at all. If you have any questions that I can help with, please do not hesitate to e-mail me directly. Monica
  • johnnybegood
    johnnybegood Member Posts: 1,117 Member
    #21
    Monicaemilia said:

    Iliestomy
    Hi Kim: First of all, I am really happy that everything went well and you are well on the road to recovery. I have had an iliestomy for three years and I have had a colostomy for a short while. An Iliestomy is much easier to handle and deal with. To me it is now part of me and does not bother me at all. If you have any questions that I can help with, please do not hesitate to e-mail me directly. Monica

    welcome home
    so glad you made it through.i have been out of the loop for a few day #2 treatment did a doosey on me.my face even swelled up.you take care.i picked me out a path in my house and walked it several times a day this really helped me heal faster after surgery.Godbless....johnnybegood

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