Hi everyone.

Mark had his surgery 4 days ago. They gave him a permanent illeo and fixed a lot of adhesions from the previous surgeries. Everything has been going along quite good and they released him from hospital yesterday. Tonight since his last meal the output has virtually ceased and Mark is getting terrible cramps, ( seems to me like a blockage ) Oh god it's just one drama after another, We are hoping it will pass by itself. I am trying to get him to drink lots of fluids and move around, but being only 4 days post op the large incision wound is still very tender and hurts to even move a little bit. Does anyone have any advise for us? After having a illeo for over a year Mark ate pretty much anything and had no problems what so ever why this time round can't things go smoothly after all the other problems he's had he's kicking himself for even going back for the takedown. Should of just stayed happy and healthy with the illeo and left the damn J pouch sit there.

Sorry I am really upset, i just wish we could catch a bloody break

Ange

Sounds like an ileus which is common following surgery. Hopefully it will pass soon and your lives will take a turn for the better.

Sue

Hang in there..I know that it is hard but just take a deep breath...and pray...do you guys have a waterbed by some chance...Really good for small blockages when immediately post-op...the rocking/rolling movement helps when you can't walk around..if not..tell him to get up every half hour and walk around the bed...even just a little movement very often is better than once or twice a day for longer...can he 'bounce' a little up and down on his toes? (I know that it is hard post op!)...just stay hydrated and keep moving!
Can he raise his hand over his head? Lift one arm then the other as high as possible...then 3 deep breaths...
Just keep the intestinal tract mobile...good luck...
Sharon

This soon after surgery it may not be your typical partial obstruction that is mechanical, but a paralytic ileus (where the intestines just stop functioning). This usually occurs immediately after surgery and does not return once bowel function starts back up. However, sometimes it does return and can be stubborn about resolving. Things that can contribute to it are too many narcotics, a low serum potassium, and inactivity. You can pretty much take care of the inactivity and narcotics (but will have to deal with more pain, so it can be tough or even impossible). But, if his potassium is too low, he will need IV replacement, because oral fluids will not be enough. Don't push fluids too much, as that may just precipitate nausea and vomiting, or gastric distention (which can be dangerous if allowed to progress too far). Little sips throughout the day are better than full glasses rapidly. Also, no solid foods until the ileostomy begins to function again.

So, if he starts vomiting or develops any weakness or dizziness, you need to stop giving oral fluids, and call his doctor or take him to the ER. If this is persistent, then he may need an NG tube until the ileus resolves. But, hopefully, this is just a minor setback that is self limiting.

While the ostomy itself is a fairly minor procedure, if the adhesions were extensive, releasing them could have caused as much trauma to the tissues as his original surgery. Unfortunately, this can lead to new adhesions, that can form for up to two weeks post op. Was an adhesion barrier film used in is surgery to hopefully prevent new adhesions?

Good luck.

Jan

Hi Ange

I read your previous posts and hope everything goes well for you and Mark, did your surgeon say why the pouch leaked for the second time even when they gave it so much time to heal?

Hi again

Mark has vomited most of the night, he is very weak and is dizzy. I was going to get an ambulance about 5am this morning but he wouldn't let me. He has had output and the cramps have eased but he looks terrible his eyes are sunken and he clammy. Jan I don't know if adhesion barrier film was used. He hasn't been taking any pain meds for a day or so, even though he seemed like he needed to.
Fazz the surgeon didn't really say why he thought it leaked again, i remember him saying last year when they repaired the leak the first time it was like sewing tissue paper together! But he had the dye test before this takedown and things looked fine. seems it just didn't hold once pressure was going through it.
I think i will need to get him into the ER today, god i hate seeing him like this!

I hope you were able to convinve Mark to go the hospital. They certainly can make him more comfortable than laying around at home vomiting and being dizzy! I know he passed some fluid but as you are well aware that's not enough. So sorry for you guys to have more complications!
Hang in there!! Especially when you are "down under"!!
Julie

Hi
I did get mark to the hospital, and like we all thought it seems to be a partial blockage close to the illeostomy. He was very dehydrated from the vomiting, It's been 36 hours on IV fluids and he looks 100% better, he has been having clear fluids and has had output into the bag, I suppose the real test will be when he eats solid food how.
I know these blockages happen to people fairly
often but can someone tell me if they reoccur often? with adhesions is it going to be an ongoing thing? Would love to here of more experiences.

I'm very great full for eveyone's advise and best wishes, i have been so hopeful everytime Mark's been released from hospital that this will be the last time and it will be all good from here on end, that now i'm to scared to hope

Holding on Here down under lol

Ange xxx

This may seem like a long shot, but when I experience blockages / partial obstructions, I lay down on my left side and bend my knees towards my chest (sort of pre-natal position), with legs and hips bent 90 degrees.

This position (after a few minutes) typically helps me clear any obstruction. IT might be worth a try.

Good luck.

Solomin

Ange, is Mark home now?

Hi Nikki and everyone

Yes he is home spent 3 days in hospital he has been home 4 days now and after the first few days of only eating soups etc. he is now eating more solid food, and so far things have been passing through fine. He looks and feels much better and touch wood things will go smoothly from now on... god knows he's needs some smooth sailing.!!
Thanks guys for all your posts, well wishes and concerns, such a relief to have this forum to come to.

Ange xxx