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.