Just have to vent a bit. Many of you know the saga of the 6M$S’s ass. Just recently I had my “temp” (that lasted 18 months…) loop-ileo revised to an end-ileo to make my ostomy life easier and give me more choices from an appliance aspect. It doesn’t look like I’ll be getting back to my JP for a long time so I wanted an easier ostomy to deal with. Simple surgery; just cut around the old stoma, pull our some small intestine and make it into an end. Things went well in the hospital. I was out in three days (a new record for me!). And I was recovering well at home until I noticed that one side of my new stoma had a hole near it. It was like the skin pulled away from the stoma. Well, it turned out that I popped a couple of stitches. No big deal at the time, it didn’t hurt too much. But after a few days it got worse. I changed my bag last Thursday and noticed that the small hole had turned into a gaping valley… Called the surgeon, he got me right in and confirmed that the stitches popped on one side. And there was not much he could do asides from putting some nasty stinging medicine in it and telling me to just “Take it easy for a while” (which is totally impossible for me…). He couldn’t stitch it back up because I was too far into the healing and that there would be a good possibility that it would get infected because it’s a dirty wound.

So here I am a week later, still uncomfortable, cranky because I’m missing sleep. Feeling a bit of withdrawal because I was on pain meds a little longer than expected (don’t really need them now). I refuse to stay home because I have a life to lead with my wife, kids, and work. (I know I sound like a typical Type-A (no comments, Michelle!)).

I was woken at about 3:00 am last night by some pain, got out of bed and began to wonder why I even messed with things… My Loop was OK, just a bit annoying. But I eventually came to my senses and realized that I’ll be looking back on this in about a month and laughing (I hope).

I’m sure all of you have felt the “why me” complex. If any of you have followed my escapades over the years, none, and I mean ZERO of my procedures when without some stupid issue. And this is no exception! This was my 11th surgery since 1997, and I hope it is my last for a while!

I just have to laugh about all the problems I've had. Why couldn’t all of us have a normal functioning ass? People totally take their butt’s for granted, they just work. They have no idea what life is like when your digestive system goes south. It totally sucks!

Sorry, I usually provide help here, but I’m just so grumpy today I needed to vent. Thanks for listening. I’m just going to go back to work now and abuse everyone who comes in my office…

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Six Million $ Sphincter,

Bill, I do understand how you feel. The why me syndrome, oh yeah, remember it like it was yesterday. I talked to Jason last week too. Just vent and rant that's better than holding it in and you will get to where you need to be because of the type A.LOL I am one too.
PS Sleep deprivation makes you very grumpy.

Bill, Take a big breath and relax. The same thing happened to me. It will fill in. It may take a while, but you will not see a gaping hole forever. I slipped a stitch down below, too, and that took four months to close up. The one near my stoma took just a couple of weeks.

Caty

Bill,
I'm right there with you. I've had 11 surgeries since 97 too! Not exactly a way I'd care to relate to someone but it's a way.
I think we must all be living murphy's law. All my surgeries were the same way. Whatever could go wrong, did.
I hope your hole closes up quickly. Maybe you could take it easy with your wife and kids by just watching a movie or something and not doing extreme sports

Oh Bill! What a drag! I have a friend that has all sorts of bad luck. She says she must be a poop magnet, because all the crappy things happen to her- family-wise, financial-wise, and health-wise.

But, you seem to be laughing while you are crying (and punching the wall), so at least you get those endorphins running. Docs....what is it about them that makes them say doofus things, like "take it easy!" Like what difference is that going to make?? He may as well have told you to go sky-diving.

So, why you? Maybe you will be getting some great big reward in the upcoming years for passing all these "tests."

So, just take it easy and everything will be fine!! LOL

Jan

Great replies, thank you.

And Jan, the great reward to me would be that I am taking all the crap for my family. So my Wife, Daughter, and Son will never have to go through any illness. (Although, they will need to take care of thier grumpy Dad/Husband from time to time...).

Hi Bill,

Know exactly where you're coming from. I've had as many surgeries (though only 9 were abdominal) since 1996 so I'm not that far behind you (pun intended).

I do my fair share of "Grumpy old woman" impersonations so don't feel bad. Just be glad you have all of us here to vent to. That's what we are all here for right?

Caty is right, I've had the same thing happen with Wee Willie. The hole will close over and you WILL look back on this and laugh.... honest!

Hope you feel better soon.

Take care

Shell

I was just thinking you've already gotten your reward. I see those photos of your wife and 'babies' (and don't we wish they stay that way forever) and I'm thinking you have it made in the shade. However, I'm so, so sorry you have the Grand Canyon erupting on your belly. That's a major pisser. Is there any way you can stabilize your middle for a bit so while the canyon is trying to fill in so you're not ripping yourself a new one? One of those ostomy bands or something?

I'm totally amazed that you're still smiling through it all. You're one stud!

kathy

Sorry Bill...what a crummy thing to have to deal with...

I have a small pin hole next to my stoma that I've had for years. My surgeon told me he wasn't going to mess with it unless it was causing major problems. For the most part it isn't a problem, though stool will come out of it if it is very liquid. I have to be careful to change my appliance every 3 days or else the skin at the site gets raw. But, the point is, once this heals up, you'll be back to good as new.

And as for the being sick stuff...I was dx 4 months after my husband proposed to me. He was with me through it all.

Two things - he told me 3 days after surgery one when I was 88lbs, could barely walk and was boney and has see through skin with blue veins everywhere that at least now he knew what I'd look like at 80. I have never laughed so hard in my life - not easy 3 days after abdominal surgery!

Second thing - he told me I used up my "in sickness" part of our vows and when we are old, it is his turn to be sick and I can take care of him.

God bless those people who can make us laugh in the worst parts of life.

Hi Bill, I gasped after reading you post and thought OH no! Then I took a sigh of relief when I read Caty's post. Thankfully it looks like it will heal and you will be better than ever.
Oh yea, and don't ever say "sorry" for venting, you need too just like any of us, you are always so positive and reassuring that I am sure it is difficult for you.
Keep us posted I am keeping everything crossed for you.
Kerry