im back from the abyss

msccolon
msccolon Member Posts: 1,917 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Can you believe it? My original surgery date was 05/18 and here it is 07/19?????? I don't have the time nor the desire to check over all the postings I've missed, but Jess kept me up on her postings and your postings for me. I wanted to let you all know how much i appreciate your support, thoughts and prayers. Things went way south, none of us really expected it. As you know, I had MANY infections, and I believe incompetence was the main reason for such. Repeatedly a computer programmer and 25 year old stay at home mother were sent home to manage open wounds that licensed nurses differ on the management of. Here I sit, with the upper portion of my abdomen sewn together fascia and skin only, since the last infection management left it impossible to sew my abdominal muscles back together. Yes, you read that right, my abdominal muscles from top to bottom are busily atrophying at the sides of my abdomen, which requires me to wear an abdominal support 24/7 to stave off the inevitable hernia(s). The bottom of the abdomen is a large open wound that is finally being managed using a wound vac, which home health takes care of for me. Ativan and Vicodin get me through the changes. So much of the past 2 months has been such a dark time for me, the only way I made it through was with support from my friends and family; I deeply appreciate it. This is the first time I have been home for more than a week and haven't had to visit an ER; things feel different and I am sure i am on the road to real recovery this time. Have I said it before? cancer SUCKS!
mary
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Comments

  • Julie 44
    Julie 44 Member Posts: 476 Member
    #2
    OMG
    Mary,
    I am so sorry that youe have been through so much...It must have been horrible and scarey for you and your family.....Thank God you are on your way to recovery...I will continue to pray for your healing. JULIE
  • sheri22
    sheri22 Member Posts: 273
    #3
    GOOD ATTITUDE
    Mary

    I hope things go well for you this time you deserve it you have the attitude keep fighting and stay strong

    I will keep you in my prayers

    Sheri22
  • punch_vj
    punch_vj Member Posts: 88
    #4
    We missed You!!!
    Ms. Colon, I'm so happy you're feeling better :) Sorry that the road has been so precarious, but it's great to know it's getting much better.

    Warmly, Vee
  • kristasplace
    kristasplace Member Posts: 957 Member
    #5
    Wow!
    Good to see you back, Mary! That wound VAC is going to help you soooo much! No one could believe how fast my ostomy wound closed because of that thing. I sure complained about having to lug it everywhere i went, but in the long run, i'm glad i had it.

    What are they going to do about your abdominal muscles? They can't just let them atrophy, can they? It sounds like you're in a lot of pain. I'm glad the medication is helping, but i know they don't normally stave all the pain. Hang in there! You're a trouper!

    Hugs,
    Krista
  • snommintj
    snommintj Member Posts: 601
    #6
    kristasplace said:

    Wow!
    Good to see you back, Mary! That wound VAC is going to help you soooo much! No one could believe how fast my ostomy wound closed because of that thing. I sure complained about having to lug it everywhere i went, but in the long run, i'm glad i had it.

    What are they going to do about your abdominal muscles? They can't just let them atrophy, can they? It sounds like you're in a lot of pain. I'm glad the medication is helping, but i know they don't normally stave all the pain. Hang in there! You're a trouper!

    Hugs,
    Krista

    Infections are miserable
    I hear you loud and clear on the infection bit. Did you ever get septic? What a scary situation that is. Well, it's good to know things are looking up. I was plagued by infection for 4 months. I had countless surgeries and wound packs. I had three j-p drains and a pump all at the same time almost 2 months after my surgery, I didn't get the last one out until 4 months after. You'll be glad to know that the body heals very quickly once the infection is gone. I was feeling near perfect less than 30 days after my last drain was removed. But even better than that was the quickness with which my pain subsided. Good luck, you'll be feeling better in no time.
  • idlehunters
    idlehunters Member Posts: 1,787 Member
    #7
    snommintj said:

    Infections are miserable
    I hear you loud and clear on the infection bit. Did you ever get septic? What a scary situation that is. Well, it's good to know things are looking up. I was plagued by infection for 4 months. I had countless surgeries and wound packs. I had three j-p drains and a pump all at the same time almost 2 months after my surgery, I didn't get the last one out until 4 months after. You'll be glad to know that the body heals very quickly once the infection is gone. I was feeling near perfect less than 30 days after my last drain was removed. But even better than that was the quickness with which my pain subsided. Good luck, you'll be feeling better in no time.

    Hey Mary...... so glad to
    Hey Mary...... so glad to see you on your way to recovery and back on the board.... we all have missed you! Take care & I will keep you in my prayers

    Jennie
  • dorookie
    dorookie Member Posts: 1,731 Member
    #8
    Missed Ya
    You were very much missed and I am glad to see you back. I will continue to pray for a speedy and easy recovery for you my dear. Sure hope things get a bit easier for ya, hate to hear you are going through so much crap. and your right CANCER SUCKS big TIME!!!

    God Bless ya hon
    Beth
  • Kathleen808
    Kathleen808 Member Posts: 2,342 Member
    #9
    Welcome back Mary
    Mary,
    It is so good to see you back. We have been thinking about you and praying for you. You are one very strong lady.
    Praying that you continue to feel better.
    Aloha,
    Kathleen
  • VickiCO
    VickiCO Member Posts: 917
    #10
    Mary Darlin'
    So glad you are back. I really missed you. I am sorry you have had such a hard journey. YES, CANCER SUCKS!

    Here's hoping things are finally looking up. You have a great daughter there, you know. we appreciated her postings.

    Take care and many, many hugs, Vicki
  • ADKer
    ADKer Member Posts: 147
    #11
    VickiCO said:

    Mary Darlin'
    So glad you are back. I really missed you. I am sorry you have had such a hard journey. YES, CANCER SUCKS!

    Here's hoping things are finally looking up. You have a great daughter there, you know. we appreciated her postings.

    Take care and many, many hugs, Vicki

    welcome back
    What an ordeal! It is good to hear the spit and vinegar in your post though and that there is plenty of fight in you. Best wishes for what I am sure will now be a speedy recovery.
  • kmygil
    kmygil Member Posts: 876 Member
    #12
    So glad you're back!
    Oh Mary! I'm so sorry you have had such a horrible time of it. Yes, CANCER SUCKS BIG TIME! What are they going to do about your abdominal muscles apart from trying to prevent hernias? Will they have to sew them back together at a later date? You are so brave and feisty, and you set an example for all of us in getting through this. Just know that you continue to be in my prayers and I'm sending healing thoughts your way.

    Hugs,,
    Kirsten
  • Fight for my love
    Fight for my love Member Posts: 1,522 Member
    #13
    Hi Mary,I am glad you are
    Hi Mary,I am glad you are finally home and glad you are on the way of recovery.Best wishes and good luck to you for everything.
  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #14
    Glad Your Back
    You have had such a rough road and I am truly glad that you are back with us. It must seem awesome to be home and this week must be glorious for you. Sounds like you still have a lot of recouperation to do. I hope that you will recover completely very soon and be able to do something special for yourself because you deserve it after all this.

    Hugs! Kim
  • angelsbaby
    angelsbaby Member Posts: 1,165 Member
    #15
    Annabelle41415 said:

    Glad Your Back
    You have had such a rough road and I am truly glad that you are back with us. It must seem awesome to be home and this week must be glorious for you. Sounds like you still have a lot of recouperation to do. I hope that you will recover completely very soon and be able to do something special for yourself because you deserve it after all this.

    Hugs! Kim

    Mary
    I am so sorry you had to go threw that sometime things don't go the way we like but you sound like you are feeling better i hope you get stronger every day.

    michelle
  • krystle singer
    krystle singer Member Posts: 108
    #16
    Cancer sucks, but...
    Yes, yes, yes..cancer sucks and treatment ususally sucks, but recovery sings. Hope you have a smoother path ahead and lots of times you want to vocaalize.
    God bless,
    hugs and prayers..
    Sandi
  • krystle singer
    krystle singer Member Posts: 108
    #17
    Cancer sucks, but...
    Yes, yes, yes..cancer sucks and treatment ususally sucks, but recovery sings. Hope you have a smoother path ahead and lots of times you want to vocaalize.
    God bless,
    hugs and prayers..
    Sandi
  • tootsie1
    tootsie1 Member Posts: 5,044 Member
    #18
    Glad to have you back
    Mary, Mary, Mary.

    You've had such a rough few months. I just feel so sorry that you have had to go through so much (and are still dealing with it).

    It's good to have you back on here, and I hope and pray we will only hear about things getting better for you from here on out.

    *hugs*
    Gail
  • Buzzard
    Buzzard Member Posts: 3,043 Member
    #19
    tootsie1 said:

    Glad to have you back
    Mary, Mary, Mary.

    You've had such a rough few months. I just feel so sorry that you have had to go through so much (and are still dealing with it).

    It's good to have you back on here, and I hope and pray we will only hear about things getting better for you from here on out.

    *hugs*
    Gail

    Welcome Home
    Good to see you back........
  • donnare
    donnare Member Posts: 266
    #20
    HI
    Hi Mary,

    Sorry you have been through so much. I'm glad you are home with family and friends. I am sending prayers, hugs, and good thoughts your way.

    Donna
  • dixchi
    dixchi Member Posts: 431
    #21
    Welcome Back
    cannot believe what you have been thru; very
    happy you are recovering and back home!

    Huggs,
    Barbara

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