Friday, September 11, 2009

Good Bye Stumpy & The Magical Poo Pouch

After 11 days, I'm finally back from the Hospital.
My sister Katie kept you all updated- here is condensed summary:

Two Mondays ago I was admitted to hospital after spending an entire day in the ER (9:30 am thru 6:30 PM) . X-rays revealed no bowel obstruction but a subsequent Cat Scan Did.

2 days later I have surgery to untwist my bowels (the cause of the pain and misery that suddenly came on that Monday), the surgeon also reversed my ileostomy (Stumpy) and put in a central line in my neck since my original portable catheter was taken out.

So, I have one long-ass crooked scar from pelvis to above the belly button. I have the open wound I need to dress each day where my stumpy was and I look like Frankenstein with the central line with three IV connections coming out of my neck.

The heinous procedure I endured was getting an NG tube stuck down my nose and into my throat. This procedure rivals the barium enema, let me tell you. Can you imagine getting a tube, with 2 dangling knobs snaked up your nose, thru the sinuses and into your throat? They heard my screams on the entire 7th floor. It was awful. The reason for the tube was to drain off the bile and whatever was backing up in my bowels due to the obstruction. As a patient with abdominal surgeries, I understand that we are prone to obstructions etc because of scar tissue build up..God I hope this passes me by!

I was also put on IV nutrition- couldn't take anything by mouth- except an ice chip- for over a week. Even though food tastes like crap to me anyway, to not even be able to take a nice sip of liquid is cruel. So now, after not eating solid food for almost 2 weeks, I have to start eating again.

I feel like I'm starting all over again with this food thing. After the last hospitilization and getting my ilesotomy output under contril, I was gaining weight and eating more. Now I have a new set of things to deal with because of the reversal. I just hope my tranition from bag lady to normal plumbing hook up is not as bad as I fear.

Thanks to everyone for your continued prayers. It''ll be a few weeks till I get back on chemo and tumor attack mode. I have a new portacath on my left side now. So I have 4 new scars on this old body of mine!

XOXOXO

Peggy

6 comments:

  1. My heart reaches out to you every time I read your post. No one should have to go through what you have had to endure. You would think that they would find a way to make these procedures as painless as possible. I continue to pray for you and your family.

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  2. Peg-I cannot for the life of me understand why these procedures are so "primeval." People have won gold medals at the Olympics going thru less body abuse than you have with all of this. My heart breaks when I read what you are made to endure in the name of recovery. Our prayers are constant, our thoughts are with you Col, Michaela and Lee 24/7. Your raw self exposure of keeping all of us informed is nothing short of inspiring. You are a true hero.Keep fighting. Keep winning. Let us know when you can eat cake! :) Love Pam and Tay

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  3. Peggy, my sentiments mirror Patty's, Pam and Tay's. Your dear friends have expressed it so well I don't know what I could add.

    Well, how about the people causing you pain during the procedure should have to undergo it themselves before they perform it on anyone else!

    I think of you each morning and pray for healing and for your family.

    ♥ Love ♥ Love ♥ Love xoxoxo YOU!

    ~ Lori

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  4. Hey Pegs!

    I'm so sorry you have to deal with this shit! Pisses me off! Let me know when you might be up for a visit, I live minutes from you now:) Hang in there my friend.

    I love you,

    April

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  5. Hi Peggy,
    You're always in my thoughts and prayers. Or as we said in Spain, mis pensamientos y oraciones.
    Peter

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  6. So happy I ran across your blog. My hubby has Colon Cancer with mets. Visit my blog at http://ronsroad2recovery.blogspot.com
    KEEP THE FIGHT!

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