Scared

• By Sheral58 (Inactive)
• Reply 3471943
• October 19, 2012 at 1:26 pm
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It's ok to be scared, that being said, if the surgery would benefit you I would do it. All I have left is my small intestine. Go with your gut instinct. You know your body.

• By ner6973
• Reply 3472059
• October 19, 2012 at 1:59 pm
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Hi;
I would be scared too. there seems to be alot going on at the same time. I do have one suggestion. If you have doubts about the upcoming surgery, ask questions and maybe some research. Maybe this will put your mind at ease and lead you to decide in which direction you want to go.

I hope this will be of some help. And hold on to your family and faith.

Keep us informed.
take care and God bless you
you will be in my thoughts and prayers

Neri

• By Mare5785
• Reply 3472102
• October 19, 2012 at 2:16 pm
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Asmj...
I'm so sorry that you are experiencing this in you life! I can totally understand your being scared. Are you going to wait to see if the gastric pacemaker begins to work.. or are you going to just go ahead and do the surgery?
Please.. ask all the questions you have on your mind, to your doctor. Maybe someone in here has experienced similiar problems such as yours and they can offer some insight or comfort for you.

Thankful that you have such a fantastic support system with your husband and his family!! You are truly blessed!.

I will pray for you.. Please keep us posted.
Prayers and Blessings..
Mare

• By asmj1006
• Reply 3472166
• October 19, 2012 at 2:41 pm
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Thank you all for your comments. I have been doing so much research and asked all the questions I knew to ask. If I wait to see if the pacer is going to work I could be waiting 6 months to even a year. Or, it could just not work for me. I want to throw up my hands because I just do not know what in the world to do. I do have such a great support group with my family and they have supported me in everything.

• By alan41241
• Reply 3473740
• October 20, 2012 at 9:02 am
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asmj, I don't really have any advice other than follow your doctor's advice. I don't blame you for being scared. I didn't have all the problems you have but I was scared, too. I had never had major surgery before and didn't know what to expect when I woke up. Trying to make a decision that will possibly change your life isn't easy. But you have to do something. Are you a prayer? If so, pray about it. Ask God to direct you to the right decision. He will if you believe it.
I'll keep you in my prayers.
Blessings,
Alan

• By amt52
• Reply 3474183
• October 20, 2012 at 12:07 pm
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Dear asmj, I have an ileostomy, but only have approx5% of my small intestine, which is proof it can work without support from your small intestine! I don't really understand the other conditions, but your doctor seems to have thought it all through. Did you know that even surgeons have websites like this, so they can lay out the patient's dilemma, and get feedback from other surgeons who have worked with same conditions? It makes ME feel better. If you trust him, put your faith in him. All the worries we have beforehand work negatively toward our healing. Easy to say, not so easy to do!

• By JRo12
• Reply 3477545
• October 21, 2012 at 10:23 pm
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Hello ASMJ,

I know the IBS, but can I ask what gastroparesis, colonic inertia, anismus is? Also what is a gastric pacemaker is? We do not blame you at all for being scared, this is not easy by any means. As the others stated follow the Dr.'s advice and stay open and discuss anything that is on your mind and always ask questions. Everybody is here for you and want's the best.

Always
JRo

• By asmj1006
• Reply 3478127
• October 22, 2012 at 8:31 am
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Thank you all for your kindness! I am glad that I found you guys! I am just a little over whelmed with everything that is going on! I also know that there are people that are worse than I am and I shouldn't be so worried! But, I am human! I can't help it! I am terrified!


JRo12,

Gastroparesis is a condition that reduces the ability of the stomach to empty its contents, but there is no blockage (obstruction).
Colonic Inertia is a condition where muscles or nerves in the colon fail to operate normally which prevents fecal matter from progressing normally through the colon.
Anismus refers to the failure of the normal relaxation of pelvic floor muscles during attempted defecation. These are the best definitions I can come up with.

alan41241,

I am a firm believer in the power of prayer!

Thank you,
asmj1006

• By alan41241
• Reply 3478319
• October 22, 2012 at 9:46 am
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asmj, don't beat yourself because you're scared while others seem to have it worse than you. You can't feel their "pain," only your own.
This is a place where we can all come and devest yourselves of whatever is on our minds. We welcome anything you have to write because every word brings you further along on the road to wellness.
We will love you and take care of you, listen to you, advise you. We are a family here and you are a member.
Blessings,
Alan

• By Mare5785
• Reply 3478580
• October 22, 2012 at 11:18 am
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ASMJ...
Reach out!! That's what you need to do!! Alan said it just right... and you are part of the family here...

You have a right to be scared.. and focus on your own health right now.. You are living that 24/7. You need to focus all your energy on your healing and getting you better.. NOT worry that "other people" have it worse off than you... ok?

When will this decision be made? What are you , or your doctor waiting for? I have always found that it's the indicision and waiting that will wear you down...
If it is consuming your every thought.. you might want to ask him for an antianxiety med to help you get through this segment of the decision and waiting process. The anxiety and fear will put additional stress on your body, which needs all the energy to focus on your health.

You are in my prayers.. and I'm so glad you are here asking for help and support. It is not a sign of weakness (which I always used to think it was..).. it is a sign of great strength to realize.. we can't do it all on our own.. and we shouldn't have to!

prayers n blessings,
Mare

• By asmj1006
• Reply 3478727
• October 22, 2012 at 12:03 pm
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I wish I could give you guys a big hug! Thank you for making me feel so welcome! I feel like I just gained a new family!

• By alan41241
• Reply 3479300 · In reply to 3478727 by asmj1006
• October 22, 2012 at 3:18 pm
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You did!!
Blessings,
Alan

• By JRo12
• Reply 3479902
• October 22, 2012 at 7:11 pm
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Yes you did my friend. This is the most welcoming sight I have ever been on an would not want to give it up for the world. This site, the people on it, have brought me so much insite, love, warmth and comfort I cannot put into words the appreciation that I have for it. So Welcome! Be great and be strong. There are some things we cannot do but to hopefully give some comfort in the great times of need and you will find that here.

Thank you for the denfinitions of your illness's. It gives me better understanding. Unfortunately I cannot give any advice on them because I have not been there, but to just reiterate that you hang in there and know that it will all work out in the end. I am sure you have some great Dr's on your side and if you feel that your scared or not at rest come here and we will do what we can.

Always
JRo

• By herbsgal70
• Reply 3481221
• October 23, 2012 at 8:58 am
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asmj - extending my welcome, as well. I am 10 months out of emergency surgery for a perforated colon, resulting in an ileostomy. This site has given me so many tips to deal with something I never had heard of before - a colostomy, but not an ileostomy. But more than the tips is the caring thoughts and the outpouring of love from all here - especially Alan, who always has something comforting to say to everyone. Please stay with us and keep posting your progress - we are a very special "family"!

Love and hugs from Marge

• By Cookie74
• Reply 3481307
• October 23, 2012 at 9:27 am
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asmj - the description of your GI system is almost identical to mine. I, too, have anismus, colonic inertia, and dysmotility in my upper GI tract. The most recent problem to arise is the likelyhood of esophogeal spasms. My Cardiologist is in the process of ruling out any heart problems. I had a loop ileostomy created, at the start of this year. It has defintiely had a positive effect, but is not a miracle cure. The operation isn't massive and can be reversed if you feel that your health has worsened. Unfortunately, because of the upper GI issues, I now need to try enteral feeding and am waiting to go into hospital to have an NJ tube placement. My Surgeon believes that, because of having dysmotility throughout my GI system, a gastric pacemaker would not be successful. If you want to talk more, please feel free to send a friend request.

• By asmj1006
• Reply 3481547
• October 23, 2012 at 10:33 am
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Cookie74,

So nice to find someone with some of the same issues! Does your small bowel have any motility? Or is it your entire GI tract? I have had the cardio work-up and all is still well with that right now. Thank you for your feed back!

P.S. This pacemaker stinks! I'd love to rip it out! But, I won't! That would cause more issues! :)

• By asmj1006
• Reply 3481563
• October 23, 2012 at 10:38 am
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Herbsgal70,

I feel the support here! Alan is too kind! But, everyone that is reaching out to me has been a blessing to me! I am so blessed to have you all behind me! Man, where have you been the last 2 years! Amazing how its such a family here! And everyone is just here to give there story! I love it! Ive never been a part of a support group or any sort of forum! This one I love!

• By Cookie74
• Reply 3482418
• October 23, 2012 at 3:16 pm
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My small bowel seems to be affected, but not to the same degree as my colon. I had a stomagram which showed no movement in my small intestine, but then the ileoscopy showed there was at least a little bit of peristalsis.

• By JRo12
• Reply 3483150
• October 23, 2012 at 8:09 pm
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Geese Alan, you are quite loved, did you realize that? Every other word I hear is Alan, Alan. You cool guy you ; )

Oh you know what I don't think anyone said what a gastric pacemaker is? If anyone can tell me that would be great. It is wierd there are so many different names of things for diagnosis and test's that I have not heard of since I was diagnosed in 1998.

ASMJ, Cookie, Alan, Marge, Mare, Neri and Sheral ( I think that is everyone on this post) I want you all to have a great night, with sweet dreams and feeling the best that possible at this point and time.

Always
JRo

• By alan41241
• Reply 3483679
• October 23, 2012 at 11:15 pm
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Janet, what kind words about me. I really appreciate it. I'm not trying to win the most popular contest. I'm just me trying to help others. I have found my place, the job I was meant to fill. This site and what I can do to advise, care, understand, "listen," and whatever else I can do.
I don't post on every discussion. But I do post on discussions where I think I have something of value to write.
Hope you have a pleasant night.
Blessings,
Alan