Re: Deb LaManna's ER visit 8/15

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/16/2000 2:36:17 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

DebLaMan@... writes:

<< That's really it for now. Take care, friends.

Debbie in IL

MGB 8/10

Cigna approved as in-network >>

Well, Debbie, all I can say is Thank God you're OK!!!!!!!!! I'm thrilled that

all is going well with your daughter and it sounds as if your problem is

getting better!!! Do post your experience when you feel up to it!!!! I'll be

thinking of you both and tell your that she is a very lucky young lady

who loves and cares for her like you do to help her have this chance at a

young age so that she does not have to spend her life living with the

emotional and physical problems that all of us here have suffered. Good luck

to you both and I will think of you both always!!

Cathy Morrow in Lenoir, NC

BMI 42

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step

[Guest guest]

Debbie:

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience. I know I'm

going to take it to heart.

Judith in Seattle

[Guest guest]

Debbie,

I am so glad that you and are alright and will heed your

warnings! I hope your water therapy and colon rest work wonders

today!:0

Laurie in OHio

> Hi Friends,

> First of all-- I am fine. I did have a terrible scare last night

though, and

> I want to tell everyone--STAY IN DURHAM THE FULL 7 DAYS. I would

have felt

> so much better had I been closer to Dr R and would not have had the

panic

> that I went through from 10pm-1am in my local ER.

>

> Would they be able to treat me? Would they know what to look for?

If I

> needed a procedure, would I be able to get back to Dr R? (I did

bring the Ed

> Manual with me.)

>

> Here is what brought me to the ER. Around 5pm last night I

realized

that the

> contents of my stomach did not seem to be emptying. Whereas before

I had

> always been aware of everything passing through, I felt that things

had just

> " stopped. " It was time for my usual small feeding but I felt that

I

could

> not put another thing inside. I tried some tomato juice but just

couldn't

> get it down.

>

> My stomach was bloated and sore and I feared causing a leak, so I

stopped all

> consumption. I began to feel progressively more thirsty and worry

set in. I

> did not want to panic in front of and my husband was not due

home

> until 9, as it was his first day back at work (we drove home the

day

> before--Monday).

>

> So, as I have been feeling so wonderful and full of energy since

the

surgery,

> I continued unpacking, doing laundry, cleaning, etc. until Tom came

home.

> Then I fell apart. We called Dr R, who rightfully chastised me,

>

> " So, you are in Illinois...as opposed to...being here? "

>

> I knew I would have to go to the ER but was hoping he could tell me

what kind

> of tests I might need, and if he had run across this before (he

hadn't). I

> also told him that I had had a small piece of watermelon with lots

of salt,

> chewed down to the juice.

>

> " You had watermelon? " *pause for me to feel rightfully stupid*

" Well I

> suppose that could have gotten stuck. "

>

> His suggestion was to go to the ER for xrays for a possible

obstruction.

>

> The ER was packed-- I bet there were 30 people there, but somehow

my

> post-surgery status and my report got me seen relatively quickly,

though I

> was to be there after everyone else had gone.

>

> 6 xrays were taken, showing a MAJORLY FULL colon. I have had a

spastic colon

> since my teen years and any change really hits it hard. I had not

had a

> bowel movement since before surgery, except for a very tiny amount

yesterday

> AM. The MOM before surgery did not really work (OTC remedies for

> constipation/bowel cleansing do not often work with my crazy

colon).

>

> Part of my usual protocol for the spastic colon is drinking large

amounts of

> water which I have not felt able to do since surgery, for fear of

> over-stretching or tearing anything, and also because I was

belching

with

> each and every sip.

>

> Back to the xrays-- no blockage, kink, or abnormality was found.

The Dr said

> that everything looked " normal, " and he did detect low bowel

sounds,

but said

> that my " lazy colon " was having a hard time really getting started.

He

> recommended " colon rest, " -- to include only *clear* liquids, and

lots of

> water. Also walking (which I have been happily doing post-op

anyway).

>

> The only scare remaining was WHY WAS MY STOMACH FEELING SO BLOATED

AND NOT

> EMPTYING? He said the xrays would not show a blockage from the new

stomach

> to the new bowel, which would be the logical site for an

obstruction. He

> also suggested that any watermelon " pulp " would not cause a

blockage, but

> would indeed be stuck (with anything else) if there was an

obstruction.

>

> He said that if there were an obstruction, I would know it today,

when I

> forced liquids, because I would start vomiting. (I haven't.)

>

> Blood tests were also normal, though the Dr thought an IV might be

necessary

> as I was dehydrated. Thank God he agreed to let me try " water

therapy " at

> home, as my hands are still sore from the IVs (one tried

unsuccessfully on

> the right, and the one on the right is still bruised and tender).

I

hate

> IV's more than surgery.

>

> Our plan was that if I did start to vomit we would be on a plane to

Durham.

> The Dr assured me I was in no immediate danger.

>

> So this AM I have been drinking liquids like crazy, and I am

finally

getting

> some action down below. I am dealing with the bloating and

uncomfortable

> feeling as I know I need to drink, drink, drink. I have a cup of

lemony ice

> water nearby at all times. I'm still experiencing crazy belching

but am

> hoping once I completely empty my bowels, things will settle and I

can get

> back on the yogurt and supplements. Until then it's water, clear

juice and

> broth.

>

> What can we all learn from this?

>

> Number one-- LISTEN TO OUR SURGEON! When he tells us to stay a

week, don't

> decide that just because the majority of our friends leave after a

few days

> and have been fine, that that will be the case with us.

>

> Number two-- FOLLOW THE DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS! In all honesty,

and I

> have been religious to the program, including all the meds, tums,

and

> citrucel, and also glutamine and whey protein. The watermelon was

our only

> " sin, " and was probably harmless, but why risk it? had been

> complaining about the " liquid-only " plan, and as she hates the

broth, I

> worried that she wasn't getting enough salt. I remembered that

various

> people had shared their love of watermelon with lots of salt and so

I thought

> this would help her.

>

> The fault here is MINE. I am sure that you, my watermelon-eating

friends,

> are past STAGE ONE.

>

> The point is, this list is wonderful, but we have to remember that

Dr R's

> word is GOSPEL. Follow the program and you will be fine.

>

> Thanks for reading this way too long post. I have not been able to

post

> because I was " bounced " when my mailbox got too full (I forgot to

go

to " Web

> Only " before leaving). I will post and my stories soon, (she

is doing

> great!)-- it really was a WONDERFUL experience for us! (Another

hint-- don't

> assume that just because you are feeling fabulous in Durham that it

is OK to

> leave.)

>

> Our original plan was for the girls and I to fly there on Tues for

clinic and

> fly back a week and 2 days later on Thursday. Tom would fly and

join us for

> the surgery, returning Tues for meetings W-F. I still have the

unused

> airlines tickets as a reminder of my stupidity in changing our

plans.

>

> I have missed you guys. I hope everyone is well. I still pray

daily for all

> of you--those waiting, those going, those post-op. If anyone has

sent me an

> email, I might not have gotten it as my mailbox was full. Please

resend

> anything important. Also, I'd love a recap of all important news--

like any

> insurance approvals, surgery dates, great wt loss etc.

>

> By the way, what a wonderful group of people I met in Durham.

Tricia is

> gorgeous, as is Dawn (what a sweetheart!), and Beth has the most

wonderful

> bubbly personality. She visited us all and was so adorable! Ruth

and Dave

> were friendly, down to earth and great, though I never did find

Dave

post-op.

> Blair was a great motivator and hooked up with everyone. What a

charming

> lady. I did not get to meet , though, nor the other ladies

who went

> to with Tricia. And I did not get to see Stormy.

>

> I had a nice long chat with , who is a wonderful and

sensitive

person.

> Her daughter, , is so beautiful and sweet, and is a great

big sister.

> I tried to find them post-op but found their room empty once, and

then they

> were gone when I returned later. (They were pretty far from me.)

>

> A darling girl, , (not on the list) had her surgery with

Chris. She

> and her mom, Joyce, are SO SWEET. Say a prayer for Joyce who is

still

> fighting with her insurance carrier.

>

> One last thing, and then I really will go. There was a lady (not

on

the

> list) who had surgery with and who was not able to have the

MGB. Dr R

> tried for several hrs, both lap and open. She had too much scar

tissue due

> to surgery when she was a child. I have thought about her every

day

and

> would like you all to add her to your prayers. She was in the room

next to

> ours, and I know she was devastated, as any of us would be.

>

> If any of you, my littermates from last week, have posted your

stories, I'd

> love to see them.

>

> That's really it for now. Take care, friends.

>

> Debbie in IL

> MGB 8/10

> Cigna approved as in-network

[Guest guest]

> I want to tell everyone--STAY IN DURHAM THE FULL 7 DAYS.

Debbie....

I am SO glad to hear that you are okay! I will be praying for you and

that the problem will be resolved quickly!

I just want to echo Debbie's advice to stay the amount of time that

Dr. Rutledge suggests. Let us not forget that this is indeed MAJOR

SURGERY!!

Tricia in IL

MGB 8/10

[Guest guest]

God, Debbie..I am glad you are OK. I am sure you were majorly terrified of

getting a leak! I am sorry you had to go through that but glad everything is

OK. Do they really think the watermelon caused it? Or maybe just because of

your spastic colon? Hope you continue to do well and everything comes out

ok. Pun intended...LOL!

{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}

Holly

[Guest guest]

Debbie,

What a scare! Thank goodness you turned out to be okay. Please keep

us posted on your and Chris' recovery. This story sure helps to

emphasize staying in the Durham area for the full week.

Sincerely,

Bernardine

> Hi Friends,

> First of all-- I am fine. I did have a terrible scare last night

though, and

> I want to tell everyone--STAY IN DURHAM THE FULL 7 DAYS. I would

have felt

> so much better had I been closer to Dr R and would not have had the

panic

> that I went through from 10pm-1am in my local ER.

>

> Would they be able to treat me? Would they know what to look for?

If I

> needed a procedure, would I be able to get back to Dr R? (I did

bring the Ed

> Manual with me.)

>

> Here is what brought me to the ER. Around 5pm last night I

realized that the

> contents of my stomach did not seem to be emptying. Whereas before

I had

> always been aware of everything passing through, I felt that things

had just

> " stopped. " It was time for my usual small feeding but I felt that

I could

> not put another thing inside. I tried some tomato juice but just

couldn't

> get it down.

>

> My stomach was bloated and sore and I feared causing a leak, so I

stopped all

> consumption. I began to feel progressively more thirsty and worry

set in. I

> did not want to panic in front of and my husband was not due

home

> until 9, as it was his first day back at work (we drove home the

day

> before--Monday).

>

> So, as I have been feeling so wonderful and full of energy since

the surgery,

> I continued unpacking, doing laundry, cleaning, etc. until Tom came

home.

> Then I fell apart. We called Dr R, who rightfully chastised me,

>

> " So, you are in Illinois...as opposed to...being here? "

>

> I knew I would have to go to the ER but was hoping he could tell me

what kind

> of tests I might need, and if he had run across this before (he

hadn't). I

> also told him that I had had a small piece of watermelon with lots

of salt,

> chewed down to the juice.

>

> " You had watermelon? " *pause for me to feel rightfully stupid*

" Well I

> suppose that could have gotten stuck. "

>

> His suggestion was to go to the ER for xrays for a possible

obstruction.

>

> The ER was packed-- I bet there were 30 people there, but somehow

my

> post-surgery status and my report got me seen relatively quickly,

though I

> was to be there after everyone else had gone.

>

> 6 xrays were taken, showing a MAJORLY FULL colon. I have had a

spastic colon

> since my teen years and any change really hits it hard. I had not

had a

> bowel movement since before surgery, except for a very tiny amount

yesterday

> AM. The MOM before surgery did not really work (OTC remedies for

> constipation/bowel cleansing do not often work with my crazy

colon).

>

> Part of my usual protocol for the spastic colon is drinking large

amounts of

> water which I have not felt able to do since surgery, for fear of

> over-stretching or tearing anything, and also because I was

belching with

> each and every sip.

>

> Back to the xrays-- no blockage, kink, or abnormality was found.

The Dr said

> that everything looked " normal, " and he did detect low bowel

sounds, but said

> that my " lazy colon " was having a hard time really getting

started. He

> recommended " colon rest, " -- to include only *clear* liquids, and

lots of

> water. Also walking (which I have been happily doing post-op

anyway).

>

> The only scare remaining was WHY WAS MY STOMACH FEELING SO BLOATED

AND NOT

> EMPTYING? He said the xrays would not show a blockage from the new

stomach

> to the new bowel, which would be the logical site for an

obstruction. He

> also suggested that any watermelon " pulp " would not cause a

blockage, but

> would indeed be stuck (with anything else) if there was an

obstruction.

>

> He said that if there were an obstruction, I would know it today,

when I

> forced liquids, because I would start vomiting. (I haven't.)

>

> Blood tests were also normal, though the Dr thought an IV might be

necessary

> as I was dehydrated. Thank God he agreed to let me try " water

therapy " at

> home, as my hands are still sore from the IVs (one tried

unsuccessfully on

> the right, and the one on the right is still bruised and tender).

I hate

> IV's more than surgery.

>

> Our plan was that if I did start to vomit we would be on a plane to

Durham.

> The Dr assured me I was in no immediate danger.

>

> So this AM I have been drinking liquids like crazy, and I am

finally getting

> some action down below. I am dealing with the bloating and

uncomfortable

> feeling as I know I need to drink, drink, drink. I have a cup of

lemony ice

> water nearby at all times. I'm still experiencing crazy belching

but am

> hoping once I completely empty my bowels, things will settle and I

can get

> back on the yogurt and supplements. Until then it's water, clear

juice and

> broth.

>

> What can we all learn from this?

>

> Number one-- LISTEN TO OUR SURGEON! When he tells us to stay a

week, don't

> decide that just because the majority of our friends leave after a

few days

> and have been fine, that that will be the case with us.

>

> Number two-- FOLLOW THE DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS! In all honesty,

and I

> have been religious to the program, including all the meds, tums,

and

> citrucel, and also glutamine and whey protein. The watermelon was

our only

> " sin, " and was probably harmless, but why risk it? had been

> complaining about the " liquid-only " plan, and as she hates the

broth, I

> worried that she wasn't getting enough salt. I remembered that

various

> people had shared their love of watermelon with lots of salt and so

I thought

> this would help her.

>

> The fault here is MINE. I am sure that you, my watermelon-eating

friends,

> are past STAGE ONE.

>

> The point is, this list is wonderful, but we have to remember that

Dr R's

> word is GOSPEL. Follow the program and you will be fine.

>

> Thanks for reading this way too long post. I have not been able to

post

> because I was " bounced " when my mailbox got too full (I forgot to

go to " Web

> Only " before leaving). I will post and my stories soon, (she

is doing

> great!)-- it really was a WONDERFUL experience for us! (Another

hint-- don't

> assume that just because you are feeling fabulous in Durham that it

is OK to

> leave.)

>

> Our original plan was for the girls and I to fly there on Tues for

clinic and

> fly back a week and 2 days later on Thursday. Tom would fly and

join us for

> the surgery, returning Tues for meetings W-F. I still have the

unused

> airlines tickets as a reminder of my stupidity in changing our

plans.

>

> I have missed you guys. I hope everyone is well. I still pray

daily for all

> of you--those waiting, those going, those post-op. If anyone has

sent me an

> email, I might not have gotten it as my mailbox was full. Please

resend

> anything important. Also, I'd love a recap of all important news--

like any

> insurance approvals, surgery dates, great wt loss etc.

>

> By the way, what a wonderful group of people I met in Durham.

Tricia is

> gorgeous, as is Dawn (what a sweetheart!), and Beth has the most

wonderful

> bubbly personality. She visited us all and was so adorable! Ruth

and Dave

> were friendly, down to earth and great, though I never did find

Dave post-op.

> Blair was a great motivator and hooked up with everyone. What a

charming

> lady. I did not get to meet , though, nor the other ladies

who went

> to with Tricia. And I did not get to see Stormy.

>

> I had a nice long chat with , who is a wonderful and

sensitive person.

> Her daughter, , is so beautiful and sweet, and is a great

big sister.

> I tried to find them post-op but found their room empty once, and

then they

> were gone when I returned later. (They were pretty far from me.)

>

> A darling girl, , (not on the list) had her surgery with

Chris. She

> and her mom, Joyce, are SO SWEET. Say a prayer for Joyce who is

still

> fighting with her insurance carrier.

>

> One last thing, and then I really will go. There was a lady (not

on the

> list) who had surgery with and who was not able to have the

MGB. Dr R

> tried for several hrs, both lap and open. She had too much scar

tissue due

> to surgery when she was a child. I have thought about her every

day and

> would like you all to add her to your prayers. She was in the room

next to

> ours, and I know she was devastated, as any of us would be.

>

> If any of you, my littermates from last week, have posted your

stories, I'd

> love to see them.

>

> That's really it for now. Take care, friends.

>

> Debbie in IL

> MGB 8/10

> Cigna approved as in-network

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/16/00 5:36:37 PM Pacific Daylight Time,

happygirl0925@... writes:

<< God, Debbie..I am glad you are OK. I am sure you were majorly terrified

of

getting a leak! I am sorry you had to go through that but glad everything

is

OK. Do they really think the watermelon caused it? Or maybe just because

of

your spastic colon? Hope you continue to do well and everything comes out

ok. Pun intended...LOL!

{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}

Holly

>>

Hi Holly,

No, the watermelon did NOT cause it! It's just my crazy colon. Still am

uncomfortable but hoping for relief now that I'm off Carafate. Other than

that, I feel great and have LOTS of energy--even on clear liquids. And I

have NO hunger at all. Thanks for the hugs, sweetie!

Regards,

Debbie in IL

MGB 8/10 Cigna approved as " in network "