A process of elimination (LOL)

[Guest guest]

Hi Friends,

Thought that was a fitting subject for my post, considering my recent

problems!!!

Many of you have kindly emailed me privately with concern for my gastric

system (lol--you are so sweet), so thought I'd post an update on this

" delicate " subject :0)

I have had this crazy spastic colon since I was a teen and any little

deviance from the norm can exacerbate the problem BIG TIME! Duhhh! I should

have been prepared that surgery would probably have an effect. I guess I

just have this " I'm invincible " complex. lol Anyway, the past 2 weeks have

brought me back down to earth in a hurry.

I have been trying to get my crazy system back on track but it has been a

challenge. Unfortunately I had to take a stool softener, MOM, and a stronger

laxative (over the course of 3 days) to get things moving. I say

unfortunately, because these OTC meds usually mess me up, too. Things were

slow moving but I think I finally got all the Carafate out of my system, at

least. I have had to go off it completely because of the binding effect it

had on my bowels.

Also, my body was not doing well on the liquid-only regime, though I did

stick to it for the required time. My colon needs a steady flow of roughage

to work properly and regularly. Put simply, I need fiber! Thus, I am trying

to get back to a more natural remedy, as even Citrucel does not sit well in

my intestines.

Of course I can't eat anything that isn't soft, so this has been a challenge.

I have been experimenting daily, trying to find something that works. One

problem I've had is that anything that is not very runny is painful going

down and then when it " hits bottom. "

So this is what I have been eating: In the AM I have really soft fruit,

without the peel. Peaches, pears, melon--nothing with a skin (like grapes),

though. Then I have runny oatmeal (with lots of salt-yum!) later in the AM

as it is a good source of soft fiber. I have soup for lunch and have been

adding chopped spinach or cabbage (very mushy). I tried to eat the spinach

by itself, but it just hurt too much going down. I am finding that if I add

a broth (bouillion), things go down easier. Fruit is the best though--even

bananas.

Now I need to find a protein, though, as the protein powders are not good for

me, and I have consumed very little protein post-op. I tried soft scrambled

eggs, but they really hurt, so no more eggs for a while. Last night I made a

concoction which will sound gross but I found really yummy. Runny mashes

tatoes, chopped spinach and soft (and well crumbled) cooked ground beef.

Stirred it all together and it was good and went down OK. It was good to get

protein!

Then suggested that I try a bit of what I fixed for dinner (lasagna) so

I tried a few little bites and it tasted yummy and was well-received by my

tummy (just a bit of a twinge going down). I am dying for salad, which would

also be a good choice for the colon, but will wait a while on that.

I have also been drinking lots of water and walking, which also helps a LOT.

This morning was a red letter day-- I finally had a semi-normal " output "

naturally. So, I feel like I am on the right track. The only problem is

that I am scared of the Actigall which I am supposed to start now. I don't

think I can take another visit to the ER!! Does anyone have any words of

comfort on this? Has the Actigall caused constipation?

One real positive-- I can happily say that so far I am not a member of the

green club or the orange club (I think I must be the exact opposite of

orange- Ha!). either. I'm wondering if Dr R's only taking 6 ft (and

not 8) means that you won't dump as much. To be honest, the thought of

vomiting repulses me BIG TIME.

On an up note, I have lost 15 pounds, and has lost 23! She is pretty

much eating regular foods now (mostly soft, and low in fat and sugar) and is

doing great with the program.

Thanks for all the prayers and well wishes! You are a great support to me

and my daughter, friends.

Regards,

Debbie in IL

MGB 8/10 Cigna approved as " in network "

226/211