Yesterday I got my purple stitch removed. To celebrate, I went out with friends to hear Eli and the boys play some music. I was able to eat and sit through 3 bands! Bathroom visits:1.
I am still wearing a bandage- Doc says until it stops sticking to the dressing. I hope that is soon. I also can't wait until the swelling goes down. It has a little but some pants still don't fit right.
This whole no-colon-thing is really working out for me.
First road trip next week! :)
Friday, November 20, 2009
Ups with the downs
This weeks has been a roller coaster. I found out that, although Unemployment has been extended to 18 months, the great state of Georgia has not received the money to fulfill that bill. On the other hand, I got to say so long to my surgeon. If nothing goes wrong from here on out, we should never have to see each other again! :)
I do adore my surgeon and really admire his surgical ability but I'd much rather get on with my "normal" life. To say good-bye, I made a card in the shape of a butt that said, "Thanks! For saving my butt!" I thought is was appropriate...
I have been feeling so much better. According to Dr Nichols, I seem to be doing better than the average patient. I would say I go to the bathroom maybe 10 times a day, including twice during the night. The average patient is going more like twice as much. No more leaking or surprises. I do have some discomfort but nothing like colitis.
This week, I am gearing up for Thanksgiving! Family time and food. Who could ask for more?
I do adore my surgeon and really admire his surgical ability but I'd much rather get on with my "normal" life. To say good-bye, I made a card in the shape of a butt that said, "Thanks! For saving my butt!" I thought is was appropriate...
I have been feeling so much better. According to Dr Nichols, I seem to be doing better than the average patient. I would say I go to the bathroom maybe 10 times a day, including twice during the night. The average patient is going more like twice as much. No more leaking or surprises. I do have some discomfort but nothing like colitis.
This week, I am gearing up for Thanksgiving! Family time and food. Who could ask for more?
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
No soup for you!
Today I responded to a letter sent from the department of labor. The office seemed smaller than the first time I went there. I had the same purple folder that sat on the administrator's desk when the words, "I'm sorry" fell out of her mouth. This time the folder is packed with denials, appeals, job searches and extensions.
This time, like last time, I was told there are no more benefits for me.
As part of our loan modification, I am supposed to see a credit counselor. I had a phone appointment set up for this afternoon with hopes I would get home before the call. After I left the department of labor, I headed home and watched a couple episodes on Hulu. When the phone rang, I gathered all my documents to discuss our finances.
What came out of this appointment is that the only thing we can cut back on is our food. Because our credit is still in the 800's, we are not at the top of the list of people to help. I was told to just keep doing what we are doing. As if that is going to help...
This time, like last time, I was told there are no more benefits for me.
As part of our loan modification, I am supposed to see a credit counselor. I had a phone appointment set up for this afternoon with hopes I would get home before the call. After I left the department of labor, I headed home and watched a couple episodes on Hulu. When the phone rang, I gathered all my documents to discuss our finances.
What came out of this appointment is that the only thing we can cut back on is our food. Because our credit is still in the 800's, we are not at the top of the list of people to help. I was told to just keep doing what we are doing. As if that is going to help...
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Expect the unexpected
Things were going pretty well. I got all my tests run and registration completed. Unfortunately, there is always something.
CT scan showed a pelvic abscess... whatever that is. The doctors explained that it could be something- it could be nothing. Is that supposed to comfort someone? And because the surgery is so soon, we had to hear from the surgeon if it would interfere with the take-down surgery.
We decided to continue as planned with the surgery while the surgeon reviews the film. He couldn't tell where the abscess was so the day of surgery, my doctor hijacks my stretcher and hauls ass down the hall to the hospital CT facility. I guess it is an unusual sight to see a doctor wheeling a patient around. Everyone we passed in the hall ask, "You need help? You got that?" We had a deadline...
The first CT scan was administered from the mouth and with an ileostomy, that's where it ends. It can't go any further. Well, this time it was going from the bottom up... not fun. I always told people that the stoma is a kinked hose so the bottom part of it leads to my bottom. Honestly, I was never really sure but it made sense. I can tell you now! When they injected that fluid in my bum, my bag filled up FAST. I don't think she believed me when I said, "I can't hold it. Stop!" But when she saw my bag, she knew we were overflowing.
The film was read and I was off to surgery.
CT scan showed a pelvic abscess... whatever that is. The doctors explained that it could be something- it could be nothing. Is that supposed to comfort someone? And because the surgery is so soon, we had to hear from the surgeon if it would interfere with the take-down surgery.
We decided to continue as planned with the surgery while the surgeon reviews the film. He couldn't tell where the abscess was so the day of surgery, my doctor hijacks my stretcher and hauls ass down the hall to the hospital CT facility. I guess it is an unusual sight to see a doctor wheeling a patient around. Everyone we passed in the hall ask, "You need help? You got that?" We had a deadline...
The first CT scan was administered from the mouth and with an ileostomy, that's where it ends. It can't go any further. Well, this time it was going from the bottom up... not fun. I always told people that the stoma is a kinked hose so the bottom part of it leads to my bottom. Honestly, I was never really sure but it made sense. I can tell you now! When they injected that fluid in my bum, my bag filled up FAST. I don't think she believed me when I said, "I can't hold it. Stop!" But when she saw my bag, she knew we were overflowing.
The film was read and I was off to surgery.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Chronic full time job
Yesterday I was working on surgery stuff from 10:30am to 3 pm. I had my pre-op appointment with Dr Nichols; then had to register with the hospital; then had to get blood work done; then had to pick up my barium for my CT today.
Today, I had to WAKE UP EARLY- just to eat because I can't eat four hours before my CT. I have to start drinking my Barium at noon, finish it at 1pm and then head up to the Kaiser that has a radiology facility... Later today I have to call the hospital back to register over the phone because they were too busy yesterday.
With a disease like this, who needs a job?
Today, I had to WAKE UP EARLY- just to eat because I can't eat four hours before my CT. I have to start drinking my Barium at noon, finish it at 1pm and then head up to the Kaiser that has a radiology facility... Later today I have to call the hospital back to register over the phone because they were too busy yesterday.
With a disease like this, who needs a job?
Lock and roll seepage control
If I could offer some advice to other ostomates:
I have been using the lock and roll bag from Hollister for a few months now. It is easier in that I don't have that bulky clip digging into my leg and I never really liked the idea of folding the tail when I emptied. I tried the lock and roll that the company included as a sample and I ordered them (with the vent) the next month.
While in the hospital, I was told to change the wafer every four days and the bag about every two days... "but you can change it whenever you feel you need to". I got in the habit of changing the bag when I changed the wafer. Now that I use the lock and roll, I have found some seepage in the folds when I empty. Not much, but seepage nonetheless.
When I called my representative, Johnathan, at Hollister and told him of my issued he informed me that the vent and the bags are intended for two day use. Changing more frequently could reduce the seepage and bag bloating (see earlier post: Vented Bag Retraction). I tried that... to no avail.
I finally found what works. I fold the tail into the flesh-toned mesh. This way the waste is not pushing on the Velcro and prevents seepage. Now every time I empty, I have a clean tail...
I just realized how that sounds to someone without an ostomy :) Hahaha.
I have been using the lock and roll bag from Hollister for a few months now. It is easier in that I don't have that bulky clip digging into my leg and I never really liked the idea of folding the tail when I emptied. I tried the lock and roll that the company included as a sample and I ordered them (with the vent) the next month.
While in the hospital, I was told to change the wafer every four days and the bag about every two days... "but you can change it whenever you feel you need to". I got in the habit of changing the bag when I changed the wafer. Now that I use the lock and roll, I have found some seepage in the folds when I empty. Not much, but seepage nonetheless.
When I called my representative, Johnathan, at Hollister and told him of my issued he informed me that the vent and the bags are intended for two day use. Changing more frequently could reduce the seepage and bag bloating (see earlier post: Vented Bag Retraction). I tried that... to no avail.
I finally found what works. I fold the tail into the flesh-toned mesh. This way the waste is not pushing on the Velcro and prevents seepage. Now every time I empty, I have a clean tail...
I just realized how that sounds to someone without an ostomy :) Hahaha.
A sign of the times
I am happy to report that organizations are again starting to correspond with the lowly unemployed.
I have been unemployed for one year now. At first, organizations would send an email or even postcard informing the applicants of their time line and to serve as verification of resume received. Slowly, the organizations became less interested in cordiality. I would go months without hearing anything from the organizations I applied to.
Times, they are a-changing. Last week I got two emails regarding my resume! One rejection letter-still stings a little; and one"resume received" letter with a time line!
This could mean two things: Everyone in Atlanta already has a job and I am the only one still applying, or organizations have hired someone to send out cordial emails to the unemployed!
I should hear within 20 days if I'm in or out! Make it work! :)
I have been unemployed for one year now. At first, organizations would send an email or even postcard informing the applicants of their time line and to serve as verification of resume received. Slowly, the organizations became less interested in cordiality. I would go months without hearing anything from the organizations I applied to.
Times, they are a-changing. Last week I got two emails regarding my resume! One rejection letter-still stings a little; and one"resume received" letter with a time line!
This could mean two things: Everyone in Atlanta already has a job and I am the only one still applying, or organizations have hired someone to send out cordial emails to the unemployed!
I should hear within 20 days if I'm in or out! Make it work! :)
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