I am between step 1 and take down surgeries now and have a temp ileostomy. Just came down with a head cold, fever and aches. Can't keep my output thick anymore, it's been very liquid all day. Been making sure to drink plenty, but no appetite at all.

And this morning I got quite a shock when I emptied a bag of reddish pink liquid -- scared me half to death until I realized it must have come from the cough medicine I had taken earlier. Rest of the day it's just been the greenish slimy looking liquid I recall from immediate post-op.

I guess it's just because I am sick and things should get back to normal when I shake the bug. So much for getting both the Seasonal AND H1N1 flu shots this year -- guess you can't prevent everything. But c'mon, no fair! I've been through enough this winter!! Okay, no more whining.

Meesh62

Meesh, hang in there....you'll get over the cold & be fine. Remember you're real close now to takedown & that should be a relief. Since I'm about a month behind you I'm counting on you to be my barometer....take care.

Mike C.

The first time I ate beets, I freaked out until I remembered them! Hang in there; viruses do throw everything off, but you should begin feeling better very soon.

Gin

Liquorish and colored kool-aide usually freaked me out until I remembered having eaten it! Especially the weird colours...
Keep your fluids up and alternate different herb teas with 'soft' juices like apple and sips of cranberry mixed with water...tea and honey too...add lemon for a quick energy fix too...
Don't let yourself get too depleted or it will take a lot of time to catch up...
Try eating a little bit of overcooked rice and honey when you can...
Hang in there
Sharon

So after two days of being sick and no improvement hubby and I decided seeing my doctor might be a good idea. I was hoping it was maybe strep and a quick course of antibiotics would do the trick.

On the way out to the car I apparently fainted twice, scaring the s*** out of my guy. When I opened my eyes the second time he was on the phone calling 911.

So I spent the morning in the ER getting IV liquids, a nice shot of morphine for the stomach and head pains. They did a CAT scan and had me drink Banana Barium (which is never going to be a hit cocktail despite the catchy name). The scan showed nothing amiss.

Blood work came out fine, urine test showed some bacteria so I'm on an antibiotic. They didn't think it's a UTI but just a general infection dumping bacteria. Either way, that won't hurt.

For the last few hours I've been emptying barium out of my bag.

Feeling much better now, guess the dehydration was the main issue, but I have been drinking as much as I can. Guess the virus and not being able to thicken my output at all took it's toll.

My clients are very understanding but it's so frustrating for me to miss working when I just have a few more weeks to get to these dogs before my next surgery. Some of these poor things are going to end up going from last December all the way through May without my attention. Oh well, if I don't take it easy and get overn this bug I won't be able to have take down April 6 and THAT is not an option!!

Meesh62

Meesh, sadly posts like yours make me feel somewhat normal! I was beginning to think I was the only freak...

While I did not have the flu or headcold I did end up back in the hospital with dehydration. Back on the road to recovery...again...even started back to work, half days this week. YIPPEE!

Meesh, take care of yourself....it sounds like you're on the mend....