Had Emergency Surgery before noon Wednesday! UPDATED

dianetavegia
dianetavegia Member Posts: 1,942 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I got sick with a gall bladder attack last about 10:45. I walked, tried different positions and finally woke Jim at 2:00. He took me to the ER and they did loads of blood work plus an ultrasound that showed 'numerous' gall stones, but no blockage. They gave me pain killer IV and sent me home.

By time I got home, the pain was just starting to come back. I went to bed and slept from 5:00 a.m. til 7:00 when I woke in a full attack.

Hubby called the emergency number for my surgeon's group. My surgeon is on vacation but his partner called for a Direct Admit for surgery. I got to the hospital and they had no beds but doctor assured them I most probably wouldn't be admitted and if he DID need to admit me, they'd find a bed somewhere.

They got me all readied up and I was in surgery by 11:00 and on my way home by 3:00.

I have four small incision and one right above my colon cancer scar that is a bit bigger. Dr. was concerned I might have a stone stuck in my ducts, so they did X-Ray's during surgery on those areas to make sure nothing was there. All was well. ( (Those bandages are spotted with brightly color blood but they said not to worry about it and to not take off the bandage for 2 days. ) Doctor gave us four color pictures of my gall bladder. He said it was huge and filled with stones. He said my liver looked really good!

Amazing what they can do today.

Please pray for quick healing. As of today, I'll still be able to have chemo round #5 on Wednesday.
Diane Tavegia

Comments

  • lisa42
    lisa42 Member Posts: 3,625 Member
    Wow!
    Wow, Diane! You've been home- what- a couple of hours? And you're already posting?!
    I'm glad to hear you successfully had the gall bladder out- wow all in one day!

    That's one thing I won't need to worry about- my gallbladder was removed during my liver surgery.

    I will definitely pray for your recovery. You take it easy and don't strain yourself.

    God bless,
    Lisa
  • FAPMom47
    FAPMom47 Member Posts: 68
    Sorry to hear
    I hope you are getting some rest. I hope and will pray for you,because I know all about the praying helping. And I will need some prayers myself soon, set up surgery tomorrow morning.
    Get some rest.
    Many Hugs and Prayers
    Jackie
  • dixchi
    dixchi Member Posts: 431
    FAPMom47 said:

    Sorry to hear
    I hope you are getting some rest. I hope and will pray for you,because I know all about the praying helping. And I will need some prayers myself soon, set up surgery tomorrow morning.
    Get some rest.
    Many Hugs and Prayers
    Jackie

    News
    wow, that is a whirlwind of a story......so glad you made it
    through and are able to tell us about it...hope you don't
    have to go through any more storms any time soon....
    Hugs.
    Barbara
  • VickiCO
    VickiCO Member Posts: 917
    Good Outcome
    And good news, Diane! I sure hope this relieves the pain and attacks you have endured.

    Prayers coming your way. Vicki
  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    Wow
    I am surprised that you are home already. You are one tough cookie, but I know that the Lord is with you. I'm so glad that you are home and they found out what was causing the problem. I hope and pray you heal soon and are back to normal as possible. Good luck with round 5.

    Kim
  • tootsie1
    tootsie1 Member Posts: 5,044 Member
    Whew!
    What a day you had! Don't you just love surprises? I'm glad you're doing okay, and I hope you feel much better now!

    *hugs*
    Gail
  • kristasplace
    kristasplace Member Posts: 957 Member
    No more Gall!
    Glad to hear you made it through that surgery. I was lucky like Lisa, and had mine removed during my colon resection. I had a stone as big as the gallbladder! Were you symptomatic at all before yesterday?

    I haven't had any problems without my gallbladder, though i did have "phantom" gallbladder pain for several months afterwards. Now there is a lot of bile in my ileostomy bag, but other than that, no problems at all! You'll probably feel much better without it, especially if you've been symptomatic for a while.

    I'm happy you can resume your regular chemo regime. The drama never ends for us, does it?!

    Many hugs,
    Krista
  • marc24
    marc24 Member Posts: 92

    No more Gall!
    Glad to hear you made it through that surgery. I was lucky like Lisa, and had mine removed during my colon resection. I had a stone as big as the gallbladder! Were you symptomatic at all before yesterday?

    I haven't had any problems without my gallbladder, though i did have "phantom" gallbladder pain for several months afterwards. Now there is a lot of bile in my ileostomy bag, but other than that, no problems at all! You'll probably feel much better without it, especially if you've been symptomatic for a while.

    I'm happy you can resume your regular chemo regime. The drama never ends for us, does it?!

    Many hugs,
    Krista

    Wish you all the luck...
    yes i am amazed as to what medical technology can do now..i hope for a quick recovery!!
  • Kathleen808
    Kathleen808 Member Posts: 2,342 Member
    glad it went well
    Hi Diane,
    Glad it went well. I'll be praying for you. You are a strong lady. :)
    Aloha,
    Kathleen
  • dianetavegia
    dianetavegia Member Posts: 1,942 Member
    Thanks for those prayers!
    I'm sore, but don't have any pain when not moving, etc. No problem getting in or out of bed last night to potty.

    I have anesthesia induced amnesia. I don't remember anything (oh, ONE incident) from the time they put me on the table in the operating room until I was home and woke from a nap. Last night it hit me that I didn't remember getting to the car, coming home, nothing! The only thing I remember is the nurse woke me up back in pre-op to get up and dress and when I stood up, I peed in my socks. Now that's the sort of thing I would have rather forgotten! LOL

    Thanks again for your prayers and well wishes. I'm glad the gall bladder is out so I don't have to worry about every tiny bit of fat (pass me the pizza).

    I am pretty tough. I'm like NanaB and have a high tolerance for pain, I guess. They gave me a script for Vicodin and told me to also take Ibuprofen. We did NOT get the script filled. I didn't take anything after my colon surgery so was sure I wouldn't need it. And I don't.

    God bless! Remembering all of you with upcoming scans, surgery, etc. in prayer (and good thoughts). I'm keeping a journal with names in case I forget someone when I pray.

    Diane
  • dmdwins
    dmdwins Member Posts: 454 Member

    Thanks for those prayers!
    I'm sore, but don't have any pain when not moving, etc. No problem getting in or out of bed last night to potty.

    I have anesthesia induced amnesia. I don't remember anything (oh, ONE incident) from the time they put me on the table in the operating room until I was home and woke from a nap. Last night it hit me that I didn't remember getting to the car, coming home, nothing! The only thing I remember is the nurse woke me up back in pre-op to get up and dress and when I stood up, I peed in my socks. Now that's the sort of thing I would have rather forgotten! LOL

    Thanks again for your prayers and well wishes. I'm glad the gall bladder is out so I don't have to worry about every tiny bit of fat (pass me the pizza).

    I am pretty tough. I'm like NanaB and have a high tolerance for pain, I guess. They gave me a script for Vicodin and told me to also take Ibuprofen. We did NOT get the script filled. I didn't take anything after my colon surgery so was sure I wouldn't need it. And I don't.

    God bless! Remembering all of you with upcoming scans, surgery, etc. in prayer (and good thoughts). I'm keeping a journal with names in case I forget someone when I pray.

    Diane

    Speedy recovery
    Praying for a speedy recovery for you!

    Dawn
  • colon2
    colon2 Member Posts: 183
    dmdwins said:

    Speedy recovery
    Praying for a speedy recovery for you!

    Dawn

    Glad you 're doing well
    So glad to hear that you are doing well after surgery. I will be praying for you . Hope # 5 goes well. I go Monday for my #5. So I guess I am 2 days ahead of you in treatment. I think we had our surgery the same day. Jan.7. We will just keep going day by day and soon this too shall pass.
    God Bless You, Carletta
  • dianetavegia
    dianetavegia Member Posts: 1,942 Member
    colon2 said:

    Glad you 're doing well
    So glad to hear that you are doing well after surgery. I will be praying for you . Hope # 5 goes well. I go Monday for my #5. So I guess I am 2 days ahead of you in treatment. I think we had our surgery the same day. Jan.7. We will just keep going day by day and soon this too shall pass.
    God Bless You, Carletta

    Jan. 7th!
    Yep. That was our middle son's 32nd birthday so I won't forget the day!

    I'm sore but not in pain. I had one very young cc patient PM to say she hurt more from her gall bladder surgery the second day than any other day. We'll see!

    I chose Wednesday treatments because Jim is home over the weekend in case I feel really bad. I have the 14 year old at home but he dealt with me being very ill for almost 2 months before I got my dx. He'd hold my head while I vomited, etc. It was very hard on him. He's taking care of me today by keeping me hydrated and picking things up, loading the dishwasher and dryer, etc. I home school him and have since Pre-K, so we are quite flexible.
  • dianetavegia
    dianetavegia Member Posts: 1,942 Member

    No more Gall!
    Glad to hear you made it through that surgery. I was lucky like Lisa, and had mine removed during my colon resection. I had a stone as big as the gallbladder! Were you symptomatic at all before yesterday?

    I haven't had any problems without my gallbladder, though i did have "phantom" gallbladder pain for several months afterwards. Now there is a lot of bile in my ileostomy bag, but other than that, no problems at all! You'll probably feel much better without it, especially if you've been symptomatic for a while.

    I'm happy you can resume your regular chemo regime. The drama never ends for us, does it?!

    Many hugs,
    Krista

    My onc
    My oncologist is good friends with my cc surgeon. He called him when the CT scan showed gall stones and said 'TONY, why didn't you go ahead and take the gall bladder out at the same time? Billable hours?'

    Turns out, his partner had to do it because my lovable surgeon was off on vacation.
  • beachinmom
    beachinmom Member Posts: 73

    Jan. 7th!
    Yep. That was our middle son's 32nd birthday so I won't forget the day!

    I'm sore but not in pain. I had one very young cc patient PM to say she hurt more from her gall bladder surgery the second day than any other day. We'll see!

    I chose Wednesday treatments because Jim is home over the weekend in case I feel really bad. I have the 14 year old at home but he dealt with me being very ill for almost 2 months before I got my dx. He'd hold my head while I vomited, etc. It was very hard on him. He's taking care of me today by keeping me hydrated and picking things up, loading the dishwasher and dryer, etc. I home school him and have since Pre-K, so we are quite flexible.

    Oh my goodness--glad it went so well.
    Diane--

    I am soo glad to hear your surgery went well. I am sorry it had to be so quick, but sounds like it happened at a good point during chemo. I am finally recovered from my gallbladder surgery too....it didn't go as easy as yours unfortunately, but finally i am well.

    You and i have too much in common. I homeschool my three kiddos as well. I have a 6,7 and 10. I will have to pm you sometime and chat about that, you can probably give me tons of advice.

    Take care and enjoy that help from your son....
  • dianetavegia
    dianetavegia Member Posts: 1,942 Member
    Anytime, Beachinmom!
    We love home school. Wish I'd been able to home school our three grown kids but way back then, only fruitcakes home schooled and our school system lied to me when I inquired about it. tavegia@bellsouth.net (Nick is 8th grade and his spelling words are off the SAT/ACT list)

    Hey, I talked to the surgeon just before surgery and told him about the gas problem you had. He explained why they pumped us full of gas because they couldn't see as well during the keyhole surgery as with an open surgery but said 'We try to get it all out'... etc. He must have really worked on getting it out of me because I had no sensation of any fullness.

    A correction: My fourth cut is UNDER the naval. I can remove my bandages tonight or tomorrow morning. I can see a bruise under the one under my belly button.

    I went to Jim's baseball game last night and enjoyed the time out. We went for a slow walk around Wal-Mart after supper. We walked about 30 minutes and ran into some church friends, too. A friend is bringing us supper tonight. :o)
  • lmliess
    lmliess Member Posts: 329

    Thanks for those prayers!
    I'm sore, but don't have any pain when not moving, etc. No problem getting in or out of bed last night to potty.

    I have anesthesia induced amnesia. I don't remember anything (oh, ONE incident) from the time they put me on the table in the operating room until I was home and woke from a nap. Last night it hit me that I didn't remember getting to the car, coming home, nothing! The only thing I remember is the nurse woke me up back in pre-op to get up and dress and when I stood up, I peed in my socks. Now that's the sort of thing I would have rather forgotten! LOL

    Thanks again for your prayers and well wishes. I'm glad the gall bladder is out so I don't have to worry about every tiny bit of fat (pass me the pizza).

    I am pretty tough. I'm like NanaB and have a high tolerance for pain, I guess. They gave me a script for Vicodin and told me to also take Ibuprofen. We did NOT get the script filled. I didn't take anything after my colon surgery so was sure I wouldn't need it. And I don't.

    God bless! Remembering all of you with upcoming scans, surgery, etc. in prayer (and good thoughts). I'm keeping a journal with names in case I forget someone when I pray.

    Diane

    You are one tough women!
    I take my pain pills and advil on schedule!!
  • jenben59
    jenben59 Member Posts: 136 Member

    Anytime, Beachinmom!
    We love home school. Wish I'd been able to home school our three grown kids but way back then, only fruitcakes home schooled and our school system lied to me when I inquired about it. tavegia@bellsouth.net (Nick is 8th grade and his spelling words are off the SAT/ACT list)

    Hey, I talked to the surgeon just before surgery and told him about the gas problem you had. He explained why they pumped us full of gas because they couldn't see as well during the keyhole surgery as with an open surgery but said 'We try to get it all out'... etc. He must have really worked on getting it out of me because I had no sensation of any fullness.

    A correction: My fourth cut is UNDER the naval. I can remove my bandages tonight or tomorrow morning. I can see a bruise under the one under my belly button.

    I went to Jim's baseball game last night and enjoyed the time out. We went for a slow walk around Wal-Mart after supper. We walked about 30 minutes and ran into some church friends, too. A friend is bringing us supper tonight. :o)

    Proud and happy...
    for you. Going through surgery and ready for your next round of chemo! You go girl! I'm thinking of you and wishing you all the best.
  • beachinmom
    beachinmom Member Posts: 73

    Anytime, Beachinmom!
    We love home school. Wish I'd been able to home school our three grown kids but way back then, only fruitcakes home schooled and our school system lied to me when I inquired about it. tavegia@bellsouth.net (Nick is 8th grade and his spelling words are off the SAT/ACT list)

    Hey, I talked to the surgeon just before surgery and told him about the gas problem you had. He explained why they pumped us full of gas because they couldn't see as well during the keyhole surgery as with an open surgery but said 'We try to get it all out'... etc. He must have really worked on getting it out of me because I had no sensation of any fullness.

    A correction: My fourth cut is UNDER the naval. I can remove my bandages tonight or tomorrow morning. I can see a bruise under the one under my belly button.

    I went to Jim's baseball game last night and enjoyed the time out. We went for a slow walk around Wal-Mart after supper. We walked about 30 minutes and ran into some church friends, too. A friend is bringing us supper tonight. :o)

    Glad you are out!!
    Diane--

    Sounds like you are doing well. My "gas" ended up being a hematoma and a bile leak. So, sorry I probably gave you wrong info there. My dr.'s were wrong.

    On your chemo question, I assume you do blood counts before chemo, if they are good and your dr. says go for it, I would tend to agree. As long as things are working well in the digestion department, and your incisions are healed, and blood work good, you should be ok.

    Good luck, I will be praying for a wise decision.
  • ruggersocks
    ruggersocks Member Posts: 78 Member
    So sorry to hear you had
    So sorry to hear you had this happen, but glad to see how wonderful an attitude you have about it!

    Lots of hugs and prayers,
    Cheryl P.