Mom comes home from the hospital tomorrow after having an RC, ileal conduit. She will be staying with us until she is all healed up and ready to be on her own again. I'm guessing about 5 weeks. Any words of wisdom or things we or she should know or be prepared for?
I am wishing your Mom a speedy recovery. I had RC on May 7th, my daughter stayed with me for 3 weeks, then I was on my own. After my stents came out second week, I did have the usual leaking, until I found an appliance that fit.. now I have no problems, with a Hollister 2 piece convex.
I went back to work part time at 6 weeks.
Make sure she has her daily walks, even short ones.. and lots of sleep.
Your a wonderful daughter, my very best to you both.
let me know if you have any more questions.
Ane
Hi I think it is great that you are taking your mom to your house after she gets out of the hospital.
The main thing is 1. get a plastic mattress liner so she wont worry about leaking on your bed. 2. make sure she gets plenty of protien in her diet for healing and plenty of fluids. 3.They told me to take a solible vitamin C daily and to also take cranberry tablet daily. I think those help a lot. 4.Make sure she feels comfortable. it is so easy for us to feel like a burden when we are having to depend on others for help. especially when we are use to doing the simple things ourselves. if I can help answer any more questions feel free to ask.
Thanks. It has been about a week, and she really hasn't been eating too much. Do you have suggestions for protiens? Thanks.
Sometimes simpler foods such as tapioca pudding can be helpful. It is easy to eat , contains egg and milk and as long as she is not lactose intolerant, it might be helpful. Smaller frequent meals interspersed with snacks can help gain calories. As well protein shakes with fruit or smoothies with a protein powder added may help. Good luck to you and her
Nancy
Hi,
It is great that our taking your mom in. My daughter did the same for me. I am moving out today after being with her since April. I went back to work about 6 weeks after having the RC but for other reason stayed with my daughter. Now moving into my new place I know I will have to take my time setting it up but it will be nice to have my own place again.
I know I ate very little at the beginning but as time goes on I started eating a little more. The protein is one of the biggest things I was told to eat for healing.
You try & take time for yourself because I know it is hard work on your part so be good to yourself also. Your mom is very luck to have a daughter like you.
Phallon
Thanks. She is stil on low residue diet, so I'm not sure she can have fruit, but I will check since the shakes sound like a good idea.
Hello
I too had trouble eating when I first came home, but for some reason teddy grahams, saltines, soups, puddings and that went down okay. I can only say that my appetite 4 years later is back to normal.
My biggest concern was the leaking I just felt so humilated by it, so be sure you have pads or depends if she needs them. I am also now dry but it was a journey getting there. Each day she will do a little more and slowly get her energy back for some reason the energy does take time. Stay positive and look for the positive in each day you'll find it from one day to the next, whether it be she walked a little farther or slept better etc. Take one day at a time. How lucky you both are to have each other.
Mariann
Hi. In addition to the plastic mattress cover, you might put some plastic over a sofa also, (with a throw on top) so she has a safe place to sit or lie besides the bed. I couldn't have made it without my washable underpads. It's a lot easier to wash them than all of the bedding. My Dr. recommended a milkshake with a package of Carnation instant breakfast mixed in with the milk and ice cream. One serving was a whopping 800 calories. He said I would lose 6 - 10 lbs. after I got home because the healing process burns a lot of calories. I temporarily said goodby to my low calorie low cholesterol diet until I had gained back the weight I had lost. I had such a little appetite that I made a list of my favorite foods and "pigged out" on what I usually don't eat. BLT's, egg salad sandwiches, grilled cheese, eggs - these tasted good to me. This is not good nutritional advise, but it was the only way I could get enough calories into my body. Your mother is a very lucky lady. I hope she recuperates quickly. Take care of yourself too. Kathy
Hello,
My husband had the same surgery, the best advice is for her to walk alot and rest as well. Eating well is also on the agenda, especially if she lost weight. Strength is compromised with this surgery, you swear you will never be the same again,BUT SHE WILL, just keep after her to do the daily routine,walk further everyday,, and at 6 weeks she should be better, if not it will be at 8 weeks, sometimes depression is a factor, hit it head on and find something fun to do,a ride in the car, movies, whatever she likes,and company to be with her. Compassion for her at this time is very important,,,
take care and good luck with mom!!!!Ginger
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