A blockage shortly after surgery is most often just a post-operative ileus, essentially the gut just temporarily going on strike. It's miserable, and mine lasted ten days, but (if that's what's going on with your mom) it's temporary and not in any way a sign of trouble to come. C diff is a different problem, of course. I hope they figure it out soon.

Boy, your mom has really had a lot to deal with over the past year. No doubt her resistance was low after this last set of surgeries. If this is a C. diff infection, it is likely a hospital acquired strain and they will get right on it with powerful antibiotics. Most likely it will be vancomycin, or maybe a combination. As for the obstruction, Scott is probably right that it is most likely an ileus. That just takes time.

Luckily for her, she has a great daughter to be by her side. Liver metastasis is a tough thing to deal with, so she will need your support, as it will be a long journey. I hope you get some good news soon.

Jan

During the time of your elius, was the output from the NG tube really dark? We are waiting on the x rays to come back, but her output has been dark brown and thicker today. She hasn't eaten anything since Saturday. She is passing stool about 13 times a day as well. I just can't imagine what's left in there!! 

Any ideas? 

Leah 

oh boy I'm sorry to hear of the rough road. NG tubes or the hose in the nose is brutal enough as it is. given the additional data that you just shared that she's passing stool it sounds like their suspicion of cDiff would be accurate. I found that the hose in the nose varied from dark bilious type extract to a diluted version of same. she's at an excellent hospital so hopefully they get her well situated and on the road to recovery soon. best wishes and hugs to you, mom and dad.