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Update on son's surgery yesterday

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Ostomies
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Posted 1/7/2011 7:32 AM (GMT -5)
Thanks to everyone for their kind support. Adam finally went into surgery at about 1:00 yesterday afternoon and the doctor came out at 6:00 to let us know everything was fine and that he did great! So we are all very relieved. I know Adam has a tough recuperation coming up in the next several weeks. But no ostomy bag! That was his biggest fear. That he would have to wear that an additional 6 weeks and then have the 3rd and final surgery. What a fantastic doc he has here in UNC, Chapel Hill, NC. I will keep you all updated as the days progress. He should be here in the hospital until Tuesday or Wednesday as long as he recuperates normally and nothing comes up for him.
Take care, and thanks again..
Lisa
Posted 1/7/2011 9:18 AM (GMT -5)
That's great news! I'm sure that was a long day for you. I hope his recovery is as smooth as possible.

Posted 1/7/2011 9:50 AM (GMT -5)
I am so glad that things went so well. Remember to get him up and WALK a ton. .... It helps so much.
Posted 1/10/2011 12:24 PM (GMT -5)
Thanks so much. Adam has had a rough few days, but today he seems to be feeling better. He got up yesterday, at the insistance of a wonderful but tough nurse to WALK the halls of the hospital. He was stronger than he expected I think, but he biggest worry is that his rectal drain will fall out! They told him it was stitched in, but he was still worried about it. He looked so uncomfortable walking, but I know it is the most imporantant thing for him. As a mom, I would take all of this from him if there was a way....

thanks again for your replies and good wishes...

Posted 1/10/2011 1:19 PM (GMT -5)
Luvfraz,

Your post has made me cry. I can feel every pain that you are feeling. It brings back the memories and feelings as if I am there again. I can remember trying to get Dillon up to walk and he SO did not want to do it. At times he would get mad at me which made me feel even worse but I still knew we were doing the right thing.

I remember, at times, feeling so helpless and that if all I could do was to give him a "pounching bag" then that would be my job and I would simply take it.

Just take one day at a time and I promise it will get better. Every day that another tube comes out he will feel better and better.

Thinking of you.....

Cathy
Posted 1/10/2011 2:42 PM (GMT -5)
Hi Lisa....tell Adam hello from us and best wishes for a speedy recovery and just be patient....he will be feeling better and better soon I bet. Each and every day he will notice something improving.

I know what you're feeling for him....he's lucky he has you by his side through all of this. You're a great MOM. (And I'm sure he is a great SON too.)
Posted 1/11/2011 1:25 PM (GMT -5)
Thanks again everyone. Adam is on day 5 in the hospital and the weather here in NC is horrible. Just the thought of possibly not getting to see him today is killing me! The hospital is only about 45 minutes away, but we are experiencing ice on the roads, and they are telling people to just stay home. I don't know, I might still make the journey. Some things have just too strong a pull to control. I know he is sleeping a lot these last couple of days, so I usually just call the nurses station to check on him instead of bothering him. He still doesn't have much of an appetite yet, and they still have him on clear liquids which he just can't seem to even look at. Broth, jell-0 etc...doc said he can really start to eat what he wants at this point as long as he tolerates ok. I know he is very worried about those first few times he has to "go". I wish I could help with his fears, but all I can do is tell him to share his thoughts and fears with his nurses and doctors and they can tell him best what to expect...
anyone here have any insights I can share with him? Thanks again to all of you for your wonderful well wishes and support for my boy..!
Posted 1/11/2011 4:48 PM (GMT -5)
Are you allowed to stay in his room overnight????  I am assuming he is not in ICU and a private room.  I was able to do that when hubby was in.  I only did it for one night which was his 2nd night after the operation as he was quite uncomfortable and I wanted to be right there with him even though he did not need me there.  Made me feel better .
Posted 1/11/2011 10:23 PM (GMT -5)
Dillon had no problem the first times he had to "go". Things actually got better when he started to eat a little since the BMs thicken up a bit and are not as liquidy and acidy. This first week is really hard so just keep taking it a day at a time and hang in there. It really is a good thing if concerns are voiced to docs and nurses instead of dwelling on them and thinking the worst. We found that most things were no where near as bad as we anticipated.

For the first while I was able to sleep at the hospital...either in his room or in a lounge depending on what was going on. That really helped, especially if the weather was bad. The hospital policy was that no one was allowed to stay but I didn't ask....just did it...and it ended up no one cared. Maybe ask around? I think usually the policy is there so that if anyone is a problem and in the way they can make them go home.

Thinking of you and Adam....
Posted 1/12/2011 8:14 AM (GMT -5)
Hi Cathy,

I actually was able to stay at the hospital with Adam until this past Monday when I HAD to get back to work. The hospital is about an hour from our home, so I wouldn't be able to stay and get to work on time. Adam didn't have a good day yesterday. He has no appetite, and refuses to get out of bed. They were going to take the rectal tube out yesterday, but he was feeling so nauseous he asked they they just didn't mess with him. Did Dillon have an appetite. Adam just can't think or look at food and it's been almost a week. He has also had the hiccups really bad and I think swallowing all that air and having those spasms doesn't help with him feeling poorly either....well we will just have to see how his day is today. I hope and pray it is better, and he can come home soon..

Thanks again,

Lisa

Posted 1/12/2011 8:22 AM (GMT -5)
Hi Lisa

Hope this is a better day today for Adam. Unlike the ileostomy surgery where every day there is generally improvement and a faster recovery I have read that these surgeries are tougher and it seems like you have to think in terms of a week and not a day to see some improvement here and there. So that of course is not easy but once everything kicks in it will be so worth it. Especially at his young age when he can finally resume his activities and get his life back.

Hubby was hoping for this opportunity but it wasn't meant to be but it is a lot easier to accept as a retired 64 year old with the same gal (me...lol) for 42 years. Prayers and hugs for you and Adam. Take care of yourself too as he will need you when he comes home.
Posted 1/12/2011 9:57 PM (GMT -5)
what good mommies you are.

I have been through rough times myself, and I've had my mom right there with me (I wasn't as young as your children are, but still need my mommy). And I've used her as a 'punching bag' too sad

But as a mother, I understand that too. And I feel for you mommies that have to watch your children go through this. I pray every night that my children NEVER EVER EVER have to go through the kind of stuff I've had to. I'd much rather it be me.
Posted 1/14/2011 11:23 PM (GMT -5)
Luvfraz...a few days have passed and I am hoping that Adam is feeling a LITTLE better ????

We are all thinking of you
Posted 1/21/2011 12:07 PM (GMT -5)
Hi again,

Well it's been about 3 weeks since Adams surgery and he is doing GREAT! I am beyond proud of him as he is only 21, (almost) January 31st! and has handled this better than a lot of older adults could. I see he is posting his progress on here..he is ChevyPower, and I am so glad he is using this site and talking to all of you fantastic support givers!

As a mom, I am relieved and so happy for him. Good health is something that most that don't have to deal problems take very much forgranted.

Hope everyone is well, and on their own road to recovery and happiness.

 

Posted 1/22/2011 12:38 AM (GMT -5)
Great, great news!
Posted 1/25/2011 3:59 PM (GMT -5)
Hi again Collicat,

Do we have great sons or what!! To go through what they have and still be our wonderful boys is amazing to me. Adam could be angry and bitter, but he never is. It just seems like he has taken this entire situation in stride and dealt with what has happened to him. I think it will make him appreciate and view life a bit differently than most 21 year olds!

Take care, and hope Dillon continues to feel well.

Lisa

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