The itchy rash seems to be subsiding but around my waist it's itchy and a bit on my chest. The arm isn't as itchy but still a mess.
I'm having a bit of a problem with my bag too. My Stoma doesn't stick out as much as others and it's kind of flat to my belly and I'm having a hard time keeping the paste to stick. The skin around it got leaked on and it's all red. I changed the bag yesterday but today I noticed it still isn't right. I will have to get that settled when I go to have my staples out on Wednesday. The stitches dissolve on their own. I have about 12 staples here and there on my belly that have to be removed. Two of them are under the wafer that sticks to my belly and it doesn't get any air and that is all red also. Just hope to God I don't get an infection and have more problems.
I'm feeling a bit weak this morning. I'm taking the iron and hoping that helps. I'm eating protein as much as I can also. Mostly just chicken breasts cut up into soup and Salmon. I made another pot of soup yesterday so that will last a few days. I love soup. Could eat that every day.
On my right side it's itchy underneath the skin it seems. And the rib cage is sore. I think maybe it got a bit bruised during surgery. Or maybe it's my liver acting up. Not sure. I'll be noticing every little thing now as I watch for the liver to start breaking down.. Sure hope I get a couple good months at least.
I saw one set of fox prints outside last night but I didn't spot him. I'm wondering if the mommy and daddy fox are still around. The daddy always sat there like a dog waiting for me. I miss him.
Well, I better get to the birds. Ricky is talking in the living room and waiting for me. I'll be back later. Have a nice day everyone.
1:00 PM
I had to change my bag again! I'm not supposed to have to change it for every five days at least so this is not good. It was seeping through again. I had to lie down on my bed when I attached the new one so the stoma was sticking up higher. I put Stoma paste around the low spots also. I'm all out of Adhesive removal strips. I called the Home care office. Waiting for them to call me back. I won't be able to remove another wafer until I have more of that stuff because the sticky stuff is all around that Stoma and has to be removed before another one can be put on. I suppose this will always be a problem for me now. Darn it.
I feel a lot better than I did this morning. I just ate some of my homemade soup. It has lots of spinach in and chicken and a few carrots. The last one I finished off had way too many carrots. I also added Butternut Squash to this one. I need healthy stuff to offset the few pieces of Chocolates I'm eating now..Ha! Ha! I only eat them when I have other food in me so as not to bother the liver so much.
It's still snowing lightly here. It's pretty cool today. Only 24 degrees. And will be that way all week I guess.
Be back later. Just wanted to update you all.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Saturday, December 4, 2010
December 4, 2010-Got My Chocolates!
The nurse came this morning and checked me over. Said everything was looking good and healing okay. She looked at the stitches on my butt and said they looked real good. The oozing is normal and should go away soon.
I told her I was doing some research on the metastasized cancer in my liver and that I knew most people only lived a few months after surgery. She said I shouldn't be looking at that stuff but I told her I wanted to know everything there was to know and that I wasn't afraid to die. She said I'm one tough lady..Ha! Ha! Yes I am! Why shouldn't I know everything and the truth about all this. If I only have a few months then I want to know. At least I can be prepared to die. Most people aren't because they die suddenly or just don't believe they are dying. I had thought maybe I'd have another year but now I know I won't so I'm accepting that fact. I know all the symptoms to look for when it starts. I hope I can get Hospice because they can give you more Morphine than the hospitals will. The more Morphine the faster I can die and in less pain. My sister didn't want her Morphine so she suffered at the end. I will take all I can get when that time comes.
I had a good day today though! My daughter and Granddaughter came over later in the afternoon. Nina picked my up a few things and I had asked her to buy me some chocolates so she brought me a nice box of Russell Stovers. Yummy. I ate a few pieces. Tasted so good! I haven't had any candy since way before my surgery. I know it's bad for my liver but I don't care at this stage. I won't overdo it.
Jessi has lost two of her baby teeth. I'm adding the pic of us. Nina loves her new home and so do the kids. Her cats and dog love it too. Salena is bringing her rabbit to Nina's soon too. Nina brought a big cage and it will live in the cellar where it's nice and warm. It's been at Salena's father's house outdoors in a small cage all alone. So now it will be much happier.
Nina said that Jordan has gotten real tall and thinner all of a sudden. Can't wait to see him. Kids grow up so fast.
I'm going to bed early tonight because I never did lie down all day so I'm tired. I think maybe my itching will subside soon. At least I hope so. It's still bad on my right arm and under my boobs on my belly area.
It was a good day!
Thank you God for another day here on earth.
Friday, December 3, 2010
December 3, 2010-Home And The Rash!
Ricky is sure glad I'm back home. He really missed me. As soon as I got in the door he was crying to get out and then got on my shoulder and was saying his name over and over and purring at me and kissing me. I missed him too.
This is the rash that has spread all over my right arm. It's on my left a bit also but not bad. You can see the welts or hives on my chest too. Now the itch has started on my belly and under my breasts. I have stopped the Benadryl and hoping it might be the cause and will go away soon. It sure drives me nuts! I'm keeping a baking soda paste on it. Helps the itching.
A male nurse came to see me on Tuesday to get all the information they will need for my home care while I'm recuperating. He measured all my incisions and was going to measure the ones on my butt but I told him I didn't feel comfortable with a man doing it so the female nurse will do that today when she comes. She will come every Friday for six weeks to take my vitals and make sure everything is healing okay.
I'm doing well enough that I don't need any other help in my home. I just can't lift anything heavy and I can't drive. My family will get my groceries for me as needed.
Before I left the hospital I had this awful itching on my left lower front leg along an old scar. I thought maybe it was from the Flo Max things on my legs but now I don't think so. I have broken out in a terrible rash on my right arm and some on the left and on my chest and now starting under my breasts. It's driving me crazy! I called my surgeon's office on Wed. to make an appointment to get my staples out and talked to one of his nurses. She told me to take Benadryl every four hours. But the rash is getting worse. I think maybe I might be allergic to that stuff. I was taking it at night in the hospital to help me sleep. So as of today I'm not going to take it any more and see what happens. I have been doing some research online and seems that a lot of people break out in rashes and hives after surgery. And most never get an answer for it. I guess it goes away with time. I sure hope so!
I'm doing real good with my colostomy bag. I have no trouble changing it and cleaning it. I feel so much better already without all that pain and pressure in my butt from the tumor. When the stitches heal up fully I should be okay.
With the cancer all through my liver I know I don't have long but I will at least be a lot more comfortable for now.
I'm catching up on my sleep and feel much more rested these days. Each day I feel a bit better. Much better than I thought I'd be after the surgery. I thought I'd be in a lot of pain but I'm not. I will never take any of those Loritabs that they gave me. If I need anything I'll just take a Tylenol but I don't even want to take that. I am getting back to my normal routine and taking the vitamins and minerals that I know I need to heal fast. I can eat anything I want now too without worrying that it would bother the tumor amd make it bleed. Now I can go back to eating my nuts!! And berries! If I only have up to a year to live then I'm eating anything that makes me feel good and that includes sweets. But I am going to do some research to see if I can prolong the liver from getting worse fast. If I can then I won't be eating the sweets.
The doctor said I might be able to live up to three years if I took the Chemo. But I won't be doing that. I don't want to be sick and putting that poison in my body. I'd rather have the one year and feel good.
After seeing what my sister went through I'd never want that stuff.
So I guess I can say that I'm doing real good right now. I just get tired and have to lie down sometimes but then I'm right back up doing things. When the pressure starts to build on my butt stitches then I will lie down. Like right now I'm starting to get uncomfortable here at the computer so I have to go. The nurse should be coming soon I hope. She hasn't called me yet though. I'll be back soon.
Thanks everyone for all the prayers and well wishes while I was going through this and still am. It helps tremendously!! But I'm in good spirits!!
Just got a call from a different nurse. She said the other one got tied up today and that she would be out tomorrow to see me instead. At least I can relax now without worrying about someone coming to paw all over me.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
My Week At The Hospital-Part Two-Nov. 26-29th
Part Two-Nov. 26 through 29th
Fri. 26th
The stitches in my butt were hurting the morning of the 26th. I hadn't slept at all except for one hour. I was so tired. I got up at 7:00 to wash up. Felt a bit dizzy so got back in bed.
The doctor came in at 7:30. He's always early. He said I could have the IV taken out. I was happy about that! Now I wouldn't have to drag that damn pole with me when I went to the bathroom or walked. The blood was still draining a lot. He even said I might have to where the drain home. Yuck. I can wash my butt but just dab it. Can't rub. And no sitz baths either when I get home. Just showers. He wants me to keep that area as dry as possible. But it always seems to be oozing a bit. They put a salve on it every morning. I also helped change the colostomy bag today. That will be no problem when I get home.
I am very anemic again. It's down to 8 and it's supposed to be 12 so I had to start taking iron.
I had instant scrambled eggs and wheat toast every morning for breakfast, along with a glass of orange juice.
At lunch that day, the 26th, I had a piece of fish and spinach that wasn't cooked all the way. I like it that way but it's harder to digest. They really didn't want me having any of that kind of stuff. But I ate it all. The girl from the kitchen had gone over everything that I liked that morning so at least now I should be getting more decent food. And having my green tea! She even brought me extra Lorna Doone cookies to keep in my drawer.
I had a bowl of soup and a tuna sandwich for dinner. That tasted good.
I had to have a Loritab that night. Had too much pain in my butt and was very uncomfortable. My blood pressure was finally starting to come up where it should be. It was too low at times.
I still have not gone in my bag after eating all that solid food.
Sat. 27th
Had another Loritab at 4:30 am. Hard time sleeping yet
The butt stitches were bleeding a bit. Had lots of pressure in lower belly. Almost felt like I want to go the old way. That's a phantom thing they say. Between the nerves and your brain. Had a pain run through my Bladder area. Worried about that a bit but it didn't happen again. My uterus felt like it used to when I was having my period. Weird.
I hadn't gone in the bag yet so Dr. Delpino ordered them to give me some Milk Of Magnesia. The iron pill every morning probably wasn't helping either.
They had to keep changing the dressing on that blood tube. It always leaked when I stood up. After a while I tried to roll up some of the tube and tape it so it would fall when I stood. That worked pretty good. Had to always pin the round drain thing to my gown too.
I had to breathe through the Spirometer every hour also. I always did good with that and finally they left me alone and let me do it on my own instead of watching me a couple times a day. I never did it every hour.
I actually liked my lunch Saturday. The chicken breast was real tender. Carrots and instant mashed potatoes.
I'd walk the hall a few times a day to keep my legs moving but had to wear those damn Flo Max things on my legs at night. I quit wearing them Sunday. Told the young girl that always made me wear them that I didn't need them any more. I was always moving my legs in bed anyway. And those damn hoses got in the way. I could sleep on part of my side anyway. One side then the other.
Had Tuna sandwich and soup for dinner. They gave me a Benidryl every night to help me sleep but it never worked. Did not want any Loritab Sat night. Didn't want to take them if I could handle the pain. They are addictive.
Sunday, the 28th
I still hadn't gone to the bathroom in my bag. One of the nurses brought me some warm prune juice with butter in it to see if that would help. In fact when they brought me my iron tab that morning I didn't take it.
Sunday was a routine day. I had a nice fruit salad that day for lunch. Lots of cottage cheese with pear and peach slices and mandarin oranges in it. They had also brought some sliced pork with gravy and carrots but I didn't eat that. The salad was enough.
Had some pain that night where the tube was inserted on my right side for the blood to drain. And with four days of food inside me yet I was wondering when I'd ever get rid of it.
I took a Loritab that night. I needed it.
By 8:30 Sunday night the bag started filling up. I finally started to feel better. I emptied it and it filled up again by morning. Never took any more Loritabs. Just a Benidryl at night to help me sleep, even though it didn't.
This one younger nurse's assistant had so much perfume on that I smelled her every time she came in to check by the hour through the night. It was awful! They should not be allowed to wear that stuff. It makes me gag.
Monday, the 29th Going home today!! Yaaayyy!!
Dr. Delpino came in at 7:30 and said I was good to go. He said that since the blood draining had subsided that they would be taking that drain out before I left. Yippeee! I did not want to have that thing on my side when I was home.
They took my last vitals and gave me my last shot of Heperin in my belly that morning.
Beth, the nurse with all my Stoma supplies came in that morning and watched me change my bag. She said I did a great job. She loaded me up with a big bag of stuff that I'd need and was going to have a travel kit sent to my home. She was very nice. All the people there were real nice really. I really had no complaints except for the perfume.
At 11:30 the other doctor that was in the operating room ( Bob) came in and took the tube out of my belly. That thing grossed me out! It was so long and when he pulled it out I felt that same pain along the bladder or groin area that I had felt a few days before. I bet when I tried to lay on my side I had moved it and caused that pain. The pain went right away after they removed it though. Left quite a hole there but they just put gauze over it. It really looks like it needed a stitch but glad I didn't have to have one. He also checked my butt stitches.
I had to wait for some paperwork to get done and sign and then I was ready to leave at 12:30. Rick was there to get me and carry my things down to the truck. I got wheeled down in a wheelchair. Would have been too far for me to walk anyway, even with my crutches.
I was so glad to be going home. I missed my birds.
I got home about 1:30. My pet Cockatiel, Ricky, couldn't wait to get out of his cage and get on my shoulder and he was hugging me and kissing me and purring at me and saying his name over and over..Ha! He was so happy!
My brother Jim came by while Rick was still there to give him his half of the cost of my private room. Jim wanted to make sure he paid some of it too. I am so grateful for that. I would never have liked sharing a room with someone. Bad enough I could hear the lady next door moaning and all that. And she was on the toilet so much. A nurse told me that her appendix had burst and that she was going to the bathroom a lot. How do you go to the bathroom in a double room when they have to measure everything that comes out?? I really enjoyed my private room. Thanks Jeanne, Rick and Jim!!! Love you all so much!!
Jim and Rick left at 2:00 pm so I could rest and they had to get back to work anyway.
I had kept notes each day. That's how I remember so much.
So that was my stay in the hospital. I am so glad I survived that operation. I feel much better already not having that pressure and pain from the tumor. The bag is easy to handle!! Maybe now I can live a much more normal life for the time I have left.
Fri. 26th
The stitches in my butt were hurting the morning of the 26th. I hadn't slept at all except for one hour. I was so tired. I got up at 7:00 to wash up. Felt a bit dizzy so got back in bed.
The doctor came in at 7:30. He's always early. He said I could have the IV taken out. I was happy about that! Now I wouldn't have to drag that damn pole with me when I went to the bathroom or walked. The blood was still draining a lot. He even said I might have to where the drain home. Yuck. I can wash my butt but just dab it. Can't rub. And no sitz baths either when I get home. Just showers. He wants me to keep that area as dry as possible. But it always seems to be oozing a bit. They put a salve on it every morning. I also helped change the colostomy bag today. That will be no problem when I get home.
I am very anemic again. It's down to 8 and it's supposed to be 12 so I had to start taking iron.
I had instant scrambled eggs and wheat toast every morning for breakfast, along with a glass of orange juice.
At lunch that day, the 26th, I had a piece of fish and spinach that wasn't cooked all the way. I like it that way but it's harder to digest. They really didn't want me having any of that kind of stuff. But I ate it all. The girl from the kitchen had gone over everything that I liked that morning so at least now I should be getting more decent food. And having my green tea! She even brought me extra Lorna Doone cookies to keep in my drawer.
I had a bowl of soup and a tuna sandwich for dinner. That tasted good.
I had to have a Loritab that night. Had too much pain in my butt and was very uncomfortable. My blood pressure was finally starting to come up where it should be. It was too low at times.
I still have not gone in my bag after eating all that solid food.
Sat. 27th
Had another Loritab at 4:30 am. Hard time sleeping yet
The butt stitches were bleeding a bit. Had lots of pressure in lower belly. Almost felt like I want to go the old way. That's a phantom thing they say. Between the nerves and your brain. Had a pain run through my Bladder area. Worried about that a bit but it didn't happen again. My uterus felt like it used to when I was having my period. Weird.
I hadn't gone in the bag yet so Dr. Delpino ordered them to give me some Milk Of Magnesia. The iron pill every morning probably wasn't helping either.
They had to keep changing the dressing on that blood tube. It always leaked when I stood up. After a while I tried to roll up some of the tube and tape it so it would fall when I stood. That worked pretty good. Had to always pin the round drain thing to my gown too.
I had to breathe through the Spirometer every hour also. I always did good with that and finally they left me alone and let me do it on my own instead of watching me a couple times a day. I never did it every hour.
I actually liked my lunch Saturday. The chicken breast was real tender. Carrots and instant mashed potatoes.
I'd walk the hall a few times a day to keep my legs moving but had to wear those damn Flo Max things on my legs at night. I quit wearing them Sunday. Told the young girl that always made me wear them that I didn't need them any more. I was always moving my legs in bed anyway. And those damn hoses got in the way. I could sleep on part of my side anyway. One side then the other.
Had Tuna sandwich and soup for dinner. They gave me a Benidryl every night to help me sleep but it never worked. Did not want any Loritab Sat night. Didn't want to take them if I could handle the pain. They are addictive.
Sunday, the 28th
I still hadn't gone to the bathroom in my bag. One of the nurses brought me some warm prune juice with butter in it to see if that would help. In fact when they brought me my iron tab that morning I didn't take it.
Sunday was a routine day. I had a nice fruit salad that day for lunch. Lots of cottage cheese with pear and peach slices and mandarin oranges in it. They had also brought some sliced pork with gravy and carrots but I didn't eat that. The salad was enough.
Had some pain that night where the tube was inserted on my right side for the blood to drain. And with four days of food inside me yet I was wondering when I'd ever get rid of it.
I took a Loritab that night. I needed it.
By 8:30 Sunday night the bag started filling up. I finally started to feel better. I emptied it and it filled up again by morning. Never took any more Loritabs. Just a Benidryl at night to help me sleep, even though it didn't.
This one younger nurse's assistant had so much perfume on that I smelled her every time she came in to check by the hour through the night. It was awful! They should not be allowed to wear that stuff. It makes me gag.
Monday, the 29th Going home today!! Yaaayyy!!
Dr. Delpino came in at 7:30 and said I was good to go. He said that since the blood draining had subsided that they would be taking that drain out before I left. Yippeee! I did not want to have that thing on my side when I was home.
They took my last vitals and gave me my last shot of Heperin in my belly that morning.
Beth, the nurse with all my Stoma supplies came in that morning and watched me change my bag. She said I did a great job. She loaded me up with a big bag of stuff that I'd need and was going to have a travel kit sent to my home. She was very nice. All the people there were real nice really. I really had no complaints except for the perfume.
At 11:30 the other doctor that was in the operating room ( Bob) came in and took the tube out of my belly. That thing grossed me out! It was so long and when he pulled it out I felt that same pain along the bladder or groin area that I had felt a few days before. I bet when I tried to lay on my side I had moved it and caused that pain. The pain went right away after they removed it though. Left quite a hole there but they just put gauze over it. It really looks like it needed a stitch but glad I didn't have to have one. He also checked my butt stitches.
I had to wait for some paperwork to get done and sign and then I was ready to leave at 12:30. Rick was there to get me and carry my things down to the truck. I got wheeled down in a wheelchair. Would have been too far for me to walk anyway, even with my crutches.
I was so glad to be going home. I missed my birds.
I got home about 1:30. My pet Cockatiel, Ricky, couldn't wait to get out of his cage and get on my shoulder and he was hugging me and kissing me and purring at me and saying his name over and over..Ha! He was so happy!
My brother Jim came by while Rick was still there to give him his half of the cost of my private room. Jim wanted to make sure he paid some of it too. I am so grateful for that. I would never have liked sharing a room with someone. Bad enough I could hear the lady next door moaning and all that. And she was on the toilet so much. A nurse told me that her appendix had burst and that she was going to the bathroom a lot. How do you go to the bathroom in a double room when they have to measure everything that comes out?? I really enjoyed my private room. Thanks Jeanne, Rick and Jim!!! Love you all so much!!
Jim and Rick left at 2:00 pm so I could rest and they had to get back to work anyway.
I had kept notes each day. That's how I remember so much.
So that was my stay in the hospital. I am so glad I survived that operation. I feel much better already not having that pressure and pain from the tumor. The bag is easy to handle!! Maybe now I can live a much more normal life for the time I have left.
My Week At The Hospital-Part One Nov. 22 Thru 25th
I am going to write this in sections because it's so much to catch up on. This is the first four days.
First of all, the day I went to the hospital started out late. I had been up all night on the toilet trying to get cleaned out of all the prep. It never did get clear. I was up at 5:30 but so tired that I laid back down. I had set my alarm for 6:30 but for some reason I never heard it and all I heard was knocking at my door. My brothers were already here! Oh no! I put a robe on half asleep and opened the door. They laughed. I had to hurry and get dressed. It was 7:15. Then my sister Jeanne showed up to follow us. Steve rode with her. Got up to the hospital by 8:30 though! Just in time. Then it was all paper work for a while. Jeanne paid the down payment for a private room! I was so happy and that was so nice of her. My brothers Rick and Jim paid the balance. Rick had come up at 7am Thursday morning to pay it. (Jim gave Rick half after I got home.) I Was up in my room by 9:30. The boys and Jeanne left to go have breakfast at Denny's then Jeanne came back and waited till it was time for the surgery. It was supposed to be at 11:30 but ended up being closer to 12:30. They took me down to the "Holding Room" just outside of the OR. Jeanne was allowed to come there also. Because she'd be waiting out there in the waiting area anyway till I was done.
I was more concerned that I hadn't gotten all clear from the prep but the doctor said they'd flush me out anyway. Thank God!
The Anesthesiologist came to talk to me about the stuff they'd be using. I expressed my concern for the Epidural and that I really didn't want it. And my spine in so crooked and with my weak legs and all. He accessed me and decided that I was right. I was not a good candidate for the Epidural. I was so happy that I wouldn't be having that needle stuck in my back. One less tube to worry about for a few days. Then before I knew it they had wheeled me in to the OR and got me on this narrow table that was split with a hole kind of cut out. That was all I remembered. I was out like a light. Next thing I remember someone calling my name and I was waking up in the recovery area. Jeanne had been informed and she had left. Poor Jeanne thought she'd get out of there before dark but it was close to 4:00. The operation took a bit longer than expected I guess.
Then I was up in my room. I didn't feel a lot of pain but I was on pain killers yet. My mouth was so dry where the tubes were inserted. My throat felt sore for about two days but it went away. I could only chew ice but could not swallow the water from it for the first night.
For the next two days they inserted Demerol into the IV tube as needed. That helped me sleep too. But of course you can't get much sleep with someone entering your room each hour and coming in for Vitals every two hours for the first two days. Then it was every 4 hours.
I had everything removed in the rectum area. The total rectum also. The cancerous tumor had spread through the walls the doctor said. He had to remove Lymph nodes also. A section of the large intestine was removed and the end brought out through my belly, which they call the "Stoma". The stitches on my butt bother me the most, as I knew they would. It feels like the inside cheeks of my ass are sewn together. They are!! Dr. Delpino also told me that my liver had over a hundred cancerous spots on it and that I might live a year or up to three if I took the Chemo. I told him NO! What's the difference between one year and three. I'd rather have one year without being sick all the time from Chemo than three being sick every time they had to give me that poison. So that is that!
They removed the Catheter on the 25th and I had no problem urinating a few hours later so I was happy about that.
The Stoma was passing liquid stuff the day after the operation. The doctor was amazed because he said that usually the intestines shut down for a couple days before they start working again. So I was happy about that also. The doctor had to check my stitches and I was saying what an awful spot to be checking and it was a little embarrassing but he reminded me that I was almost upside down on the operating table with my butt in the air. Ha! Ha!
They got me up the very next day to walk a bit with the walker. Have to get the blood moving. I also had to sleep with the Flo max things on my legs to keep the circulation moving.
The room was cold for a couple nights so they came in and adjusted the heat. Then it was too hot. I finally adjusted it myself and it was okay. They had the air conditioner on at the same time. It was set all wrong.
Walked down the hall on Thursday, pushing the IV pole. Had my first solid food on Thursday also. It was Thanksgiving. So I got instant potatoes, instant squash and lousy tasting processed turkey. And a piece of Pumpkin pie. I only ate the pumpkin part. Guess it was better than nothing.
I cleaned my colostomy bag myself that day too. I learned all about that stuff fast.
That evening for dinner they had brought me beef stew! I couldn't eat that stuff yet. Too heavy and besides I don't eat red meat. But no one had come up from the kitchen to ask what I'd like yet because it was a holiday and when you are on just liquids for a couple days they don't bother. All you get is broth and jello and apple juice. Oh yes. And Popsicles. I wouldn't eat the green jello or Popsicles. Told them to take it back. Yuck.
Anyway they exchanged the beef stew for a turkey sandwich. That didn't taste too bad but I don't like white bread. They kept bringing me coffee or black tea and I don't drink either. I was so happy the next day when Sophie, from the kitchen, came to ask what I like. And I finally got my green tea too! The other kids kept saying they didn't have any.
I was uncomfortable Thursday night. From eating all that food I guess. And dinner is between 6:30 and 7:00 in there. I am used to eating at 4:00 so I don't have food in my stomach when I go to sleep.
Mu butt was hurting that night also. And my bladder area was tender for some reason. They gave me my Heparin shot in the belly every 12 hours. That's to keep blood clots from forming. I had a lot of blood draining from my lower belly. It's just an empty hole down there.
I asked for a Demerol shot at 9 pm. Couldn't sleep at all. Got another one at 11 pm. The stitches were really hurting. I only got about an hour's sleep that night and that was between 4:45 am and 5:45 am. It's hard when someone comes in every two hours to check your vitals or take blood. They only drew blood a few times that week.
The damn IV was leaking on my right lower arm so they had to take that out and insert it into my left lower arm. At least it wasn't in my hand. I had told them from the start that they couldn't have it in any of my hands. It's too painful. Didn't bother me at all in the arm.
This is the end of Part One. I'll keep writing more as I feel up to it.
First of all, the day I went to the hospital started out late. I had been up all night on the toilet trying to get cleaned out of all the prep. It never did get clear. I was up at 5:30 but so tired that I laid back down. I had set my alarm for 6:30 but for some reason I never heard it and all I heard was knocking at my door. My brothers were already here! Oh no! I put a robe on half asleep and opened the door. They laughed. I had to hurry and get dressed. It was 7:15. Then my sister Jeanne showed up to follow us. Steve rode with her. Got up to the hospital by 8:30 though! Just in time. Then it was all paper work for a while. Jeanne paid the down payment for a private room! I was so happy and that was so nice of her. My brothers Rick and Jim paid the balance. Rick had come up at 7am Thursday morning to pay it. (Jim gave Rick half after I got home.) I Was up in my room by 9:30. The boys and Jeanne left to go have breakfast at Denny's then Jeanne came back and waited till it was time for the surgery. It was supposed to be at 11:30 but ended up being closer to 12:30. They took me down to the "Holding Room" just outside of the OR. Jeanne was allowed to come there also. Because she'd be waiting out there in the waiting area anyway till I was done.
I was more concerned that I hadn't gotten all clear from the prep but the doctor said they'd flush me out anyway. Thank God!
The Anesthesiologist came to talk to me about the stuff they'd be using. I expressed my concern for the Epidural and that I really didn't want it. And my spine in so crooked and with my weak legs and all. He accessed me and decided that I was right. I was not a good candidate for the Epidural. I was so happy that I wouldn't be having that needle stuck in my back. One less tube to worry about for a few days. Then before I knew it they had wheeled me in to the OR and got me on this narrow table that was split with a hole kind of cut out. That was all I remembered. I was out like a light. Next thing I remember someone calling my name and I was waking up in the recovery area. Jeanne had been informed and she had left. Poor Jeanne thought she'd get out of there before dark but it was close to 4:00. The operation took a bit longer than expected I guess.
Then I was up in my room. I didn't feel a lot of pain but I was on pain killers yet. My mouth was so dry where the tubes were inserted. My throat felt sore for about two days but it went away. I could only chew ice but could not swallow the water from it for the first night.
For the next two days they inserted Demerol into the IV tube as needed. That helped me sleep too. But of course you can't get much sleep with someone entering your room each hour and coming in for Vitals every two hours for the first two days. Then it was every 4 hours.
I had everything removed in the rectum area. The total rectum also. The cancerous tumor had spread through the walls the doctor said. He had to remove Lymph nodes also. A section of the large intestine was removed and the end brought out through my belly, which they call the "Stoma". The stitches on my butt bother me the most, as I knew they would. It feels like the inside cheeks of my ass are sewn together. They are!! Dr. Delpino also told me that my liver had over a hundred cancerous spots on it and that I might live a year or up to three if I took the Chemo. I told him NO! What's the difference between one year and three. I'd rather have one year without being sick all the time from Chemo than three being sick every time they had to give me that poison. So that is that!
They removed the Catheter on the 25th and I had no problem urinating a few hours later so I was happy about that.
The Stoma was passing liquid stuff the day after the operation. The doctor was amazed because he said that usually the intestines shut down for a couple days before they start working again. So I was happy about that also. The doctor had to check my stitches and I was saying what an awful spot to be checking and it was a little embarrassing but he reminded me that I was almost upside down on the operating table with my butt in the air. Ha! Ha!
They got me up the very next day to walk a bit with the walker. Have to get the blood moving. I also had to sleep with the Flo max things on my legs to keep the circulation moving.
The room was cold for a couple nights so they came in and adjusted the heat. Then it was too hot. I finally adjusted it myself and it was okay. They had the air conditioner on at the same time. It was set all wrong.
Walked down the hall on Thursday, pushing the IV pole. Had my first solid food on Thursday also. It was Thanksgiving. So I got instant potatoes, instant squash and lousy tasting processed turkey. And a piece of Pumpkin pie. I only ate the pumpkin part. Guess it was better than nothing.
I cleaned my colostomy bag myself that day too. I learned all about that stuff fast.
That evening for dinner they had brought me beef stew! I couldn't eat that stuff yet. Too heavy and besides I don't eat red meat. But no one had come up from the kitchen to ask what I'd like yet because it was a holiday and when you are on just liquids for a couple days they don't bother. All you get is broth and jello and apple juice. Oh yes. And Popsicles. I wouldn't eat the green jello or Popsicles. Told them to take it back. Yuck.
Anyway they exchanged the beef stew for a turkey sandwich. That didn't taste too bad but I don't like white bread. They kept bringing me coffee or black tea and I don't drink either. I was so happy the next day when Sophie, from the kitchen, came to ask what I like. And I finally got my green tea too! The other kids kept saying they didn't have any.
I was uncomfortable Thursday night. From eating all that food I guess. And dinner is between 6:30 and 7:00 in there. I am used to eating at 4:00 so I don't have food in my stomach when I go to sleep.
Mu butt was hurting that night also. And my bladder area was tender for some reason. They gave me my Heparin shot in the belly every 12 hours. That's to keep blood clots from forming. I had a lot of blood draining from my lower belly. It's just an empty hole down there.
I asked for a Demerol shot at 9 pm. Couldn't sleep at all. Got another one at 11 pm. The stitches were really hurting. I only got about an hour's sleep that night and that was between 4:45 am and 5:45 am. It's hard when someone comes in every two hours to check your vitals or take blood. They only drew blood a few times that week.
The damn IV was leaking on my right lower arm so they had to take that out and insert it into my left lower arm. At least it wasn't in my hand. I had told them from the start that they couldn't have it in any of my hands. It's too painful. Didn't bother me at all in the arm.
This is the end of Part One. I'll keep writing more as I feel up to it.
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