Has anyone had mulitiple Abdominal Surgeries?

I am still mending from my 5th major abdominal surgery nearly 3 months ago. Has anyone had multiple surgeries like this?

They took out a 1/3 of my intestines and some tumors. Right now it seems that my intestines are very confused. I'm puking and pooping at the same time and it's worrying me. Can't gain any weight or eat that much. Nothing can stay in my system long and am suffering in lots of pain each day. I am smoking pot to get rid of the nausea and some of the pain, but it's getting old not feeling normal again. The pot has been helping me to drink more water but even that doesn't stay in my system long. I can barely leave the house and always need access to a bathroom; much less walk around. I'm still alive but the quality of life is not so good. Sorry just depressed and hoping and praying that I get better or improve. I keep getting infections and this has been worrying my doctors. Here's to a cure and hopefully not the end for me anytime soon. I have so much to live for and will be 39 in just 2 weeks.

By momanderson920
Posted June 3, 2009 at 12:56 pm
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shoppingkarma, I wish I lived close so I could come over, sit with you and give you a hug. You have been through the ringer and have been amazingly strong. I will keep you in prayer that your body will heal from this most recent insult. Keep posting for support...whatever it takes. I checked out your blog and it is amazing. Sending prayers and hugs your way. CindyXXXOOO

By ohmama123
Posted June 3, 2009 at 4:17 pm
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I can't imagine what you're going through -- isn't there anything that your doctors can do? It just seems that there must be SOMEthing. No one should have to be put through what you are dealing with. Your spirit sounds strong even though you've been tested for a long time now... I hope the infection clears and you can feel "normal" again soon, or as close to normal as we all can feel. I'm glad you wrote - please keep posting so we know what the progress is. I wish I had a better answer for you--
All my best,
Kristin

By katelynsmamaw
Posted June 3, 2009 at 7:15 pm
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You are such a brave strong woman. I don't think I could handle what you've been through as well as you. Don't ever apologize for being depressed. You have every right! I hope you get feeling better soon. Whatever you do, don't ever give up. You have alot to live for! I hope better days are ahead ;)

By dollycat6
Posted June 4, 2009 at 12:26 pm
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I can't believe you are having so much trouble. Immodium doesn't help or can't you keep it down? Have you tried anything called Marinol for nausea? If they can get the right med for your nausea I think that's what they need to look at. Meanwhile I will pray a hedge of thorns around you to try and protect you. Please keep us posted so you know we are sending positive vibes your way and a great big hug. YOU WILL GET THROUGH THIS.
Love, Barb

By bonn
Posted June 4, 2009 at 1:03 pm
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My thoughts are with you every day,you have been through so so much....... we are always here to listen,almost any time day or night, as most of us don't seem to sleep many hours at night....

By shoppingkharma
Posted June 4, 2009 at 3:33 pm
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Thank you all so much for your kindness, good thoughts and prayers. It really means a lot. I guess we all have our depression and frustrated moments when things are bad and don't change.

I will be seeing an internist to find out what is wrong with my intestines and why they are behaving so strangely. The worst right now is the diarrhea and my poor bum! It burns in the worst ways and even itches. I can't wait to heal!

The nausea is somewhat under control with my pot; I can't take any more pills (taking too many as it is - Pain, heartburn, antibiotics, anti-anxiety, Benadryl, anti-diarrhea, etc). I just can not take any more pills or even stomach them. The doctor has me on enough as it is. Immodium is working a tiny bit but the heartburn really is the worst ever. I've never had such painful heartburn in my life. Sometimes it feels like I am having a heart attack and then the puking will start. I think it just stems from my intestines being taken out of my body 5 times, and this last time 1/3 of both (small and large) was removed. I even get these horrible hick-ups too. It sucks! Can't wait to heal!

The pills that I do take, do come up my esophagus eventually and this is what makes me puke. I have that horrible taste in my mouth and that god for a miracle plant to get rid of that. What is cool about the pot is that it doesn't come up my esophagus and it's one medicine that has no side effects other than making me thirsty and hungry. I may not eat just the right foods, but at least I am eating. I'm not gaining any weight but I'm loosing either which is a good thing. I will keep you all updated on my appointment with the internist. Thanks again all of you! May none of you suffer as I do! This disease is horrible and none of us deserve going through these hells. I wish you all the best and many years of remission and a cure!

By Nanamom
Posted June 4, 2009 at 5:21 pm
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I have some idea what is confronting you. I had two surgeries a day apart in November of 2007 that left me in pretty bad shape. The recovery period was long and full of infections. Before I came home I was in the hospital and rehab for over 11 weeks and in home care for 9 weeks. It took all that time for my incision to heal. Brown crud drained from it for weeks and weeks and home visit nurses had to come and pack it daily. I had a hole about two inches deep that had to heal from the inside out. One infection that I had both in the incision and in the intestines was clostridium difficile (called c-diff for short). It caused a horrible diarrhea that left me so depleted that I thought I was going to die. I needed IV electrolytes and fluids. Among other things I was on high dose flagyl. It is a foul-tasting drug - perhaps that's what you are on. In any case, it takes stool samples to diagnose C-diff which is a common bacterial infection. I never imagined that my road to recovery would be so long but I have recovered and now am just dealing with the cancer and not all the other stuff. I pray that you, too, will soon heal.

By shoppingkharma
Posted June 4, 2009 at 7:33 pm
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Wow! Yes, nanamom, that sounds very familiar in my case. You sure sound like you have been through the ringer yourself! Wow! I had 2 surgeries in 2003 that were maybe a month a part from each other and I seemed to have healed much faster from those other surgeries than from this one. All have been abdominal (intestines taken out, resections, etc)

I was on Flagyl for a little while too (while in the hospital), I had all kinds of infections and seem to still be getting them. It feels as if I just got kicked in the stomach sometimes.

I am so glad that you are healed now and giving me hope that I will one day heal. I have had so many scary moments where I didn't know if I would make it or not. I even got my WILL completed and my Attorney something? That's pretty scary to be thinking of death as such a young age for all of us. I hope none of you are suffering as I have been.

At least I can eat some, but it just doesn't stay in my system very long and I have painful bouts afterwards. I sure hated being on the TPN for so long and it's a relief to be able to eat, but am I really able to? I will find out soon from the internist.

By pmiller
Posted June 5, 2009 at 9:41 am
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Wow, My heart weeps for you. I went thru 3 abdominal surgeries and have not suffered near as much as you. You will heal, It took me longer after each surgery but it does happen. Keep up your amazing attitude. My prayers are with you.
Pam

By Nanamom
Posted June 5, 2009 at 11:33 am
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I truly hope that you get helpful information from your internist. It is discouraging to have to go through so much and especially difficult to have ups and downs in one's recovery. I experienced all of that. Eventually, though, each day finally got a little better and better. I kept waiting to "turn the corner" and stop being an invalid. My doctor and physical therapists were encouraging so that helped to give me faith that I would recover. Finally I was able to return to work - first on a part time basis and later fulltime. This was important for my mental health as I was literally going "stir-crazy" at home for all that time. Prayers and best wishes to you.

By paintergal
Posted June 24, 2009 at 5:13 pm
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Hi, Im so sorry that you are havingsuch a rough time. Maybe, you need a second opinion from the doctors you have already. Also, every abdominal surgery means your body has to adjust to being manipulated and even,handled and it is traumatic for the body Also, if you are havingtrouble keeping water down,then,maybe, you need to get different care as your doctors should be addressing your inability to keep liquids in you.

I just saw your addition to your first entry, and Im glad you are getting some relief. Your're in my prayers, and I hope that things are starting to turn around for you now.

Welcome to Inspire!

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