Day 9 after surgery

 They sent me home last night. A bit rough. Will explain more later. Much more comfortable this morning. Thank you all for the support and prayers.

Happy Thanksgiving! Day 7 after Surgery

 

They took my NG tube out to try me on a liquid diet. So far so good. I am thankful for my life. Happy Thanksgiving to all of my friends and family.

Day 5 after Surgery

 This was me yesterday, it was rough. Two new Ivs running with tons of goodies going in. Fluids, another iron infusion, potassium, Tylenol, and the rest of my medications are crushed, then mixed with liquid and pushed through the NG tube. I am not eating anything and I’m not hungry at all. I am feeling a little better today.

They helped me wash up, a little hard with tubes and wires everywhere. Just to go to the bathroom is quite the ordeal. My output from NG tube is lower but not low enough to test to see if it can come out yet. They said at least 1-2 more days.

I am passing gas out my rear now so that is a good sign tho gs are progressing. The NG tube is uncomfortable but better than the severe pain I was in. I only have a little pain when moving or transferring. It’s mainly because my stomach and intestines aren’t working together as they should. I am in better spirits today. The staff is awesome here.

When I get to go home I will have visiting nurses and all the equipment I need should be dropped off and ready for me. They said I will find out the staging of my cancer by 2 weeks from the day of my surgery taking into account the holiday. Thank you to everyone for the encouragement and prayers. Keep them coming.

Day 5 after surgery

 

Things went downhill really fast yesterday. I started to get really tired, out of breath, stomach discomfort, super hot, and vomiting. They did an iron infusion and I tried to rest but couldn’t. They did an exray then put in an NG tube which is uncomfortable but relieved the pain, nausea, and hotness. I vomited up over 1000 of whatever they measured by and another 650 from the machine. My belly could have burst. I am so thankful please keep the prayers coming. They are thinking of 2-3 days with this.

Side note which was written after this happened. Things changed really quickly from lip gloss to feeling I wasn't getting enough air. It was hard to breathe, I was really tired, and discomfort everywhere. I was super hot and vomiting. The Nurse finally gave me Zofran but soon after I vomited again. She asked if they had flushed it and I said no I vomited in one of the bags. She asked where it was. I said in the bathroom. She looked at it, and took my oxygen level as I was having a hard time breathing which showed 82 she got on the phone right away and called for a Dr. Stat.

I was sent to get an X-ray which was very uncomfortable I just wanted my husband with me and thought I was going to die. Once back they tried inserting an NG tube up my nose and it wouldn't go apparently I have a deviated septum so they tried the other side and it went down. I told them I had a bad gag reflex and they said everyone says that. Well, two nurses were at the top of the bed with me, and two nurses at the foot of my bed.

One nurse had the hose, one had a cup with a straw, and not sure what the other two were doing other than trying to encourage me that things would be fine and trying to give me instructions. It was all a blur of trying to drink water while they were putting the hose down my nose and then the nonstop projectile vomiting that sprayed all over myself and the nurses at the foot of the bed.

They were able to get the tube in and immediately my pain was gone, the machine started sucking out my stomach. They said they had never had that much come out of a person before and they had no idea how much had been soaked up by the bedding. The bedding was soaked, and the nurses were soaked but their job wasn't done. My bed clothing was also soaked so they had to cut my gown off and make sure my incision did not get soiled. Cleaned up the bed, helped me get new bed clothes on, and settled before they could go and clean themselves up. I just kept apologizing.

I told them to call my husband I wanted him there with me.

Day 4 after surgery

 

Day 4 I pulled out the lip gloss. Now all I need is sparkly nail polish and I’m all set. It’s getting easier to transfer and walk around. Saw my surgical team this morning but not my surgeon yet. Thank you for all of the prayers and support. A big hug to you all.

Day 2 after surgery

 

I ate most of my breakfast but only a few bites from lunch. Just not that hungry. Maybe I’ll eat more at dinner. Holding on. Getting out of bed, chair, and toilet are the hardest. Feels like I did abs 500,000

Day one after surgery

 

I was able to get out of bed and walk almost to the bathroom and back to my chair with help. I have a catheter and a pump on both sides of my stomach. So walking is a two-person job, and a huge purple stripdown the center on my body. I haven’t actually looked at it yet.

I couldn’t eat breakfast had too much pain and tired. I did order lunch and will try to eat some. They tried to do operation with robot but had to switch over to full open surgery, something about my breathing will try to take better pictures later.

Also will get more information as I haven’t asked yet do to pain management being the number one on the list. It wasn’t as bad as they said I would feel but it’s still rough. I didn’t have to be in ICU at all. Jesus is awesome.

This might be a bit confusing so I apologize if it doesn’t all make sense. I am also on potassium because it dipped really low. A bruise around my left ankle from leg balloons. Looks like I had a prison anklet on. I look like a pincushion from so many veins giving out on them and I think all the machines hate me the alarms keep sounding, and just as they fix one another goes off although they have been quite the last 15 minutes. Most of all I’m just tired.

Show time

 

Waiting to be called to my room.

All ready for the Surgery Team

Written by my husband: Just a quick update...Pam was in surgery for about 3 hours and from what the doctor says it was a success. However, we will get full details and information later to say what if anything is going on next.

In the photo, the long strip is a special covering for where the cut was made. The two curly cue wires on either side are special things to help with the reduction of pain. She says she is feeling better than she thought she would and is tired and dry...thirsty and dry skin. She had Mac n cheese and mashed potatoes with gravy for dinner...she only had a couple of bites of each. Will try to keep up for those who are interested and thank you for all the prayers and best wishes.

Getting ready

 

My request for dinner last night (my last before prep day and operation day) was stuffed waffles. My husband didn’t disappoint. I have cherry pie filling in mine. Bean has milk chocolate chips, Dorothy has roast beef, baby Swiss, and Greek seasoning, Dennis is having blueberry pie filling.

Starting my prep today for my operation tomorrow. Gatorade a whole large bottle of Miralax, tons of antibiotics, and clear liquids. After the floodgates let loose I get to shower and then wipe my body with special wipes. Then I get to sleep on clean bedding. What a day and all while I’m having a bleed. Give us strength. It’s going to be a messy day.

Update: I was flying through my prep for my surgery until the second set of pills I had to take. I was doing all I could but my body just wasn't having it. I vomited everywhere which caused other things to let go. As I said it was a mess. Once I was cleaned up I took a nap till my son's family came to visit. Had to see my littles before I go in. I am now having a cup of chicken broth waiting for 8pm to come around to take the last of the pills I need to take. Hoping that they stay down. Then before bed, I get to shower, dry for an hour, then use the special wipes they sent to prep my body before trying to get sleep for the night. Oh yeah, we have to be at the hospital at 7:30 am so looks like I may be the first in. Like I said I will try to do a post before I go in. Again thank you for all of the support. Hugs.

Its almost time

 

Update on health. I had my pre-admission on Thursday morning and came out with loads of information and a goodie bag filled with pre-operation items. The information was scary for sure, still working through it but I was also given lots of hope.

I am drinking an Ensure Surgery immunonutrition shake 2 times a day for the next 5 days, I get my covid test on the 16th, and on the 18th I am on a clear liquid diet with lots of antibiotics and medication mixed with Gatorade to clean my system out, then I have to shower, let my body dry for an hour, then use these special wipes on specific parts of my body, then when I go to sleep I have to be on clean sheets and blankets.

Sometime on the 18th, they will call with what time I need to be at the hospital for surgery, and one hour before I am supposed to be at the hospital I have to drink a 12oz bottle of Gatorade. I was told when I wake up after the surgery it will feel like a bus hit me and I will wish they finished me off. Most pain medication is a no-go because it causes constipation which we don't want after this kind of operation.

We have choices, but one is totally out because of my bleeding disorder so I will be monitored very closely. I will be in ICU for at least 24 hours and depending on my responses it could be longer. When I get home I was told only family or medical personnel could come into our home. Healing is at least 8 weeks.

The 19th is the day of surgery will try to do an update before I go under. Dennis and Nesie will update as often as they can. Thank you for all of the support, communication, and most importantly the prayers I appreciate all of them. Keep them coming. Hugs.

Another infection

 I wanted to update everyone on how everything is going. First and foremost I have another infection or rather they think the last just didn't heal up enough and it just started again. I ran out of antibiotics last Wednesday. I saw my Surgeon this Tuesday everything was great. By Wednesday evening I was in pain and first thing Thursday I was on the phone with my gastroenterologist who was actually in the office, he called at 5:30 to actually talk to me so I didn't have to travel so far. He even gave us his personal cell phone number so we could call anytime I needed something.

Anyways he ordered antibiotics (we are running out of antibiotics to use at this point). His office will be setting up another catscan to look at the abscess in my sigmoid. He said the last scan showed a 4.6mm abscess. If it has grown then we need to drain it. A little confused about how they do that but will update you if and when they decide that should be done.

He is also calling my Surgeon to advise him that with my current health he would like him to do both operations when I go in. The removal of cancer and surrounding lymph nodes which is on my right side where my appendix was as well as taking the abscess out of my sigmoid which is on my left side at the very least.

Of course, we know this raises the stakes and also could end with me having a colostomy bag in the end either temporarily or forever. So they will be calling with the new plan and if my operation date is being moved out even further. My new date was set for November 19 which meant being in the hospital for Thanksgiving. Now all that is in the air because I keep getting infections.

The last bit of it is I am now on a liquid diet until my sigmoid heals which could be until after my operation so any smoothie recipes would be greatly appreciated as well as soups that are good when whirled into a slurry. I am sorry it has been so long I have just been really tired and just started to get some of my strength back and then boom I'm tired again. Thank you to all of you who keep checking in on me. Keep the prayers coming I am sure in need of them. Hugs.

Home

 I am home, have my antibiotics, and resting. I have an infection in the vein on my left arm due to the potassium and blown vein. The antibiotics that I am on should take care of this too but we are keeping a close eye on it. The swelling in my legs has gone down. At home, I am able to get my legs above my heart so that changed things quickly. Before I left the hospital I had them show me how to change the bed and chair so that the swelling won't happen again. There is even a chair function on the beds there if you can't get out of bed. I am ready to beat this thing.

Thank you to all of you for the texts, messages, calls, visits, encouragement, and most importantly the prayers.

Going home

 

Trying food. Nibbled a bit but drank all of my Ensure.

They said I can go home tonight. Waiting for my daughter to pick me up.

Finally liquids

 

Yesterday they started potassium. I had two bags. This morning they tried to start a third but my vein blew and the saline and potassium started just going into my arm, so they stopped iv. I am currently waiting for someone to come and run another iv so we can start the saline, and potassium back up. My arm is a bit swollen. It’s almost time for another antibiotic bag as well. On a good note, they are going to let me try clear liquids today.

They forgot to bring me lunch so they scrambled to get me broth tea and ice for my ginger ale

My feast and the first time having Ensure. This apple tastes pretty good

Letter from my granddaughter

 

The letter my granddaughter Lilly sent me, she was crushed that she was too young to visit me. She even made us into two Narnia Characters. These are memories to last a lifetime. Feeling blessed.

They are keeping me in the hospital

 Update, they are keeping me, I have another infection (diverticulitis), another mass that wasn’t picked up during my colonoscopy in August in my sigmoid. They have to move my cancer removal (right side) operation further out to let me heal unless there is an emergency. I have had two different cat scans, a leg ultrasound, blood, and urine taken. Had new specialists, teams of specialists, surgical teams, and most of my Drs checking in on me, either by phone or actually visiting, even those who don’t practice here. I feel I am in good hands and blessed. The road isn’t always easy but glad to be taking this journey with Jesus by my side.

Sent to the ER

     I wasn't feeling well when I saw the Gastroenterologist last Tuesday, they were hoping it was just the new foods introduced causing my colon to work harder but it has gotten progressively worse even with going back to a low residue diet, so they want me to go to the ER at Albany Medical Center just in case. My daughter is on her way to take me.

    While I am waiting for my daughter to pick me up to go to the Er. I thought I would update the plan. Like I said I saw my Gastroentrolgist last Tuesday and that visit went ok, it was just talking about our next steps with them, our next appointment, what to do if I get sick, and setting up an appointment for Dennis to be seen next time we go in. Just so you know the age is 45 now not 50 to get a colonoscopy.         

Wednesday the surgeon's office called to set up testing to see just where the cancer is and if it has spread. Thursday my surgeon called to let us know that the second pathologist confirmed that it is Cancer and wanted to set up my operation date for early October.

    His plan is to use the robot to do my operation if applicable, which is also depending on if the Gynocologist wants my ovaries removed, or if I have a bleed or any other complications, I might lose my colon and end up with a bag, then he would have to do a larger incision. I also have to go for an ultrasound of my legs to check for any blood clots before the surgery as well as having a covid test.

    As of right now I also have to go into the hospital 2 days prior to the operation so that they can start my IV for my bleeding disorder. They are going on at least a nine-day stay with no complications. Of course, right now with me not feeling well I might just be in there until I heal after the big operation so I, Dennis, or my daughter Nesie will be updating everyone as much as they can when I am unable to. I am taking my phone, tablet, and charging cords so I can update as much as I can. Keep the prayers coming. Hugs.

Lots of phone calls

     Today I was able to talk to my gynecologist, hematologist, and my Surgeon. I am set up for the ultrasound on my ovaries where they found a growth last year in July for early September and my appointment for mid-September with my gynecologist.

    They are getting the scans from my Gastroenterologist. My Hematologist is reviewing the paperwork and has set me up with the best Oncologist they have, they will be calling tomorrow with my appointments. My Surgeon had more information but still not all of it, she wants it all from day one but has come up with a plan where I am going to see the Surgeons from Albany Med as they have the resources I will need after the operation no matter what they run into.

    She said I will have 24/7 nurses and doctors on hand until after I am out of the woods. I am just a complicated case they need to pay close attention to. I now know where my cancer is but not how far along I am other than the cancer is still in the wall of my colon so we need to get it out soon. The Cancer is on my right side below my gall bladder. They may have to take my whole large intestine but I will update you as we know more. Thank you to everyone who has been calling, texting, and most importantly praying.

Saw the Surgeon on Friday

     I have been meaning to update everyone it's just been hard. Thursday Night my Dr. called with the biopsy results. I have Cancer in my Colon and they aren't a 100% they got it all. Friday I had my appointment with my Surgeon and that was just a mess. She didn't have any of the information she should have had and the Cancer really changes things up.

    Where she thought we could wait has turned into we have to do this so she needed the updated Scans etc to be able to let me know what their office could do if anything. More or less she said operating on me is very dangerous and it could shorten my lifespan considerably if I were to even make it through. Not what I wanted to hear but will listen to what she has to say on Monday.

Of course, I am going to get a second opinion because I just can't go into an operation with someone who is already doubting what they are capable of. On a good note, I was able to leave a message with my Hematologists office as she is also an Oncologist. They left a message that they will call on Monday as well. Please keep my children, my husband, and myself in your prayers.

How I am feeling and a few funnies

     My throat is feeling better today, but just in case I am only eating a soft food diet for a few days to give those metal tabs in my esophagus and colon a bit more time to heal before hitting it with the hard food.

    I thought someone might want to hear about the funny things I remember saying while they were doing my surgery. " You Guys are Awesome" "Excuse Me" (I must have burped or let some gas out) "Look at all of the pretty shapes" (I must have woken up a bit and saw the screens) " That is trippy" (All I remember is swirling colors like tye dye) "Weee" (I think this is when they spun me around to do my other procedure)