I did manange to get into surgery on the 24th - even with the nasty folliuculitits and a temp or 103 according to one thermometer and 100. from another. I literally limped into surgery, which is what I had been saying all along.

Well, I'm sitting in my hospital room at Innova Faifax and finally am able to type a little though the morphine isn't helping. I've had the hiccups since the day after my surgery but my doctor said that may be due to injury to the diaphragm or air trapped during the procedure and that it should dissipate. I had a little bout of pancreatitis which set me back in terms of healing AND to make matters worse, the cortenemas had built up enough cortisone in my system that I still needed to go on a low dosage of steroids to recover faster. No one saw that coming.

Well, my stomach is still sore - feels like someone stuck me with a pitchfork and even though I've got the fluid intake, protein intake, etc, I still can't drink through my mouth until my bowels wake up. This has GOT to be the hardest part - to be SO thirsty and not be able to drink. I plan on walking laps this afternoon to help get this moving. What they say about walking initially after surgery is true but the complications I had (high blood spikes / fever / etc) made it virtually impossible to hit the ground running like I had planned). Anyway, just wanted to give a little update; one more thing, two days ago my Uncle who had been on 6MP and had come down leukemia passed away - perhaps one more reason why it's so important to surgically address UC and CD rather than trying to medicate it. He will be sorely missed.

DeathStalker
I'm sorry to hear about your loss. I hope everything improves for you. I go in on Friday for my step one so I'll get to see what it's all about. I hope your recovery speeds up for you and you get to go home soon.
David

Congrats! It will get easier. I am soo sorry to hear of the loss of your uncle but you are right that it only goes to show one more reason why those of us suffering from UC or CD need to take control and better ourselves with this surgery.

I pray you continue to heal and gain strength!

Recovery from surgery is very tough. It will get better gradually and in due time you will be at the buffet line eating whatever you want, feeling great.

Sorry for the passing of your relative.

Thanks everyone. On a side note, do any of you have any tricks for waking up the intestine aside from just walking? I'm been trying to walk as much as possible lately but I would love to get the intestines up and running so that I can finally drink water, etc.

For those of you who've gone through this already, you'll recall that even though they give you IV fluids, you still CRAVE ice water, etc. Unfortunately though, if your intestines don't wake up, you'll end up getting nauseous.

I walked and walked and walked and it never helped me. It will just eventually happen. But keep walking.....

Ask the doctor if they could give you ice chips to suck on. Or maybe sucking candies.

I have heard that chewing gum (there are studies on this) help wake up the bowels. Give that a try.

If you havent done so already, take a shower. You will feel SO CLEAN! It is an amazing feeling.

Yes, ask your doctor if it's okay to try chewing gum. I'm wondering if sugarless would be better because of it's 'bowel-moving' properties.

kathy

I totally agree with the gum. It really gets things moving. So does very deep, steady breathing. So sorry about your uncle. I lost my mom between my steps one and two. It almost made me feel like a warrior about healing myself and, yes, surgery is the answer for those wanting to be done with the meds, the open-ended protocols, etc. Good luck with your recovery. It does take time....

Are they giving you the green sponge sticks to wet your mouth? Those things were a life-saver for me post-op. When I woke up in recovery after Step 2, the first thing I said was, "Can I have a sponge stick?" I got it when I got to my room.

They gave me the sponge on a stick but to be honest, I like swishing ice cold water around in my mouth and then spitting it out more. I like the refreshing aspect of this.

Cant a person catch a break? U have endured so much and now your intestines are being stubborn I do hope you get the green light to chew gum and that it works

So very sorry to hear of the loss of your Uncle

Glad to see you are well enough to post to the boards at least. Yup, I also heard gum wakes things up, just be careful about chewing it while you're lying down in case the morphine causes you to drift off -- you don't wanna choke on it.

Sorry about your uncle. That's why I opted for the surgery too, was getting increasingly apprehensive about the medications I was on.

It seems like things will never get moving again, but they will. kelleypaar was in the hospital for more than a month after her take down, had all manner of complications and it was truly awful, but now she's running around like crazy, living her life and even wearing a bikini to the beach!

You're in good hands at Inova Fairfax, it's frustrating, I know, but this will be behind you at some point and you too will be healthy and recovered. Be strong Dean!! Hope you get out soon!!

Meesh62

Meesh,
I do like it here. The nurses and docs have been great for the most part. My issues have been physical in nature; elevated enzyme counts (pancreatitis): this one worries the most. I also have a case of the hiccups that refuse to go away. I've had them since the day of surgery and that was over a week ago now. They only go away when I sleep. I'm guessing that eventually, as things get more normal, they'll regress.

I'm still in shock about my Uncle. And yes, it does make me that much more certain that I made the correct decision. Still, I wish here didn't have to die. He was one of those guys who did it all - hiked, hunted, fished, read, etc. A real world traveler. Hell, he was like a second father to me when I was growing up. It saddens me that I won't be able to make the viewings or funeral. I'm quite certain they're going to extent my stay here with the pancreatitis now. Anyway, keep in touch - and thanks again for recommending a great surgeon and a great hospital!

Thanks for the update on your progress. I've heard about the gum chewing trick, but I've also heard that gum chewing could cause you to have more gas. I'd probably try the gum. Sorry to hear about your Uncle. Good luck getting the pipes working and with the pancreatitis...we're all pulling for you!!

Hi, Deathstalker!
Man, you are really living up to your awesome on-line name. Take that, UC. So sorry to hear about your uncle. It must be a painful loss.
Walking is everything. Your intestines have been disrupted and traumatized and walking is key. But be patient and gentle with yourself. As others have posted here, recovering from this is not easy and it is a looooong process. But you will get through it.
My first day, I could only walk a few steps to the nurse's station. But step by step, day by day, it will all come back.
Fight the good fight!
Jeffrey H. in L.A.