“Maybe” was the word of the appointment Tuesday at my gastroenterologist’s office.
Maybe my system is just a little sluggish.
Maybe my gastroparesis has just gotten worse.
or
Maybe there is in fact another obstruction on the horizon.
The last one scares me the most.
We did several x-rays in the office and they didn’t show an obstruction at that moment but my symptoms combined with my history raised some alarms. Before an obstruction forms, there is often some kinking and unkinking as scar tissue is working its magic so that could be what is causing the variance in symptoms and why nothing could be seen at the time. I had all of the same tests that showed similar results 3 weeks before my emergency surgery.
In effort to give my system a break, I’ve been on clear liquids only the last 48 hours and starting tomorrow I can transition to soft foods for the next week (the delicious gluten-free glazed donuts I ordered that were delivered today will just have to wait unfortunately). The clear liquids seemed to provide some relief from the pain and nausea but if reintroducing even soft foods causes symptoms to return, I am to call immediately. Any sudden increase or intensity of pain means I get my hiney to their ER immediately. She mentioned the two words NG Tube and I’ve been having nightmares ever since.
It really is a waiting game and its a game I am not very good at.
Oh no. I’m definitely hoping and praying for no obstruction.
Thank you!! We feeling we are doing as much as we can to delay the onset of an obsturction as well as possible. I think we all feel like it is going to happen sometime but taking the time to shut the system down completely may buy us some more time before the obstruction fully forms.
“Maybe” is right up there with one i’m sure you also get “unusual case”
Oh yes I get the “unusual case” line all the time! I like to tell my doctors that I am the type of patient that could get your practice on Mystery Diagnosis so they need to be kind! LOL
Whatever it is that you’re currently into.. hope it’s not too serious! Be strong for your kids and know that we have God who loves us so much!
We are currently fearing that scar tissue from the last surgery to remove a total bowel obstruction that was caused by scar tissue from an endo surgery done 8 months prior caused. I have had 6 abdominal surgeries in 8 years and they are coming back to haunt me. I am beyond terrified but I hope this helps get the disability ball rolling a little sooner than we’d hoped!
I’m praying Jamee. Have you turned in your first application for disability online? Let me know. I’ve been there recently. Finally got approved a year ago after a three year fight.
Waiting is never easy, especially if what you’re waiting for could possibly contain bad news. You’re in my prayers, Jamee…
Thank you for your prayers Anna! They really do mean so much to me!
Glad that they didn’t find any obstruction for now. I get high anxiety when I feel my symptoms flaring up or something relative coming back that I thought was gone. Will send a prayer your way.
Thank you so much for your prayers! I am definitely more than a little anxious about this one. I had had 5 surgeries previous to this one and while they were major, I still pretty much knew what to expect but not with this one. I think I need to write a post about how much it truly shook up when I considered my “normal’ for months!
I have been home for approximately 5 days. I am a male and your story is identical, up to where I have read. How long between the first and second blockage? I am deathly afraid of ng tube. I have lost the order of your blog and am lost. Also I have had many “different” operations but this one ranks right up there. Is it possible to stay in touch? My age is 63.
How long before I get back to any normalcy. Dressing changes 2 times per day and still draining 5 days after 2nd emerg op. This next part is what I was told as I was out for the count and do not remember things. I had my first operation on Feb 26 when I attended a emergency room. I was told before they went in that I might have to carry a bag, but luckily so far everything fine there. They opened me and found large intestine all twisted. I was told I had gangrene setting in so they cut out a good chunk, stuffed it back in and sewed me up again. About 9 days later, while still in hospital, when I had a cough. I was told to cough to get phlegm out etc. Well I guess that cough separated or detached things inside and I was more or less at fault. When they went back in they put in two mesh pieces to make my stomach wall stronger. Six days later I was sent home and to take it easy but try to stay up for about 4 hours. Having a very difficult time doing this as no strength after almost 3 weeks on my back. My question is how can I follow your blog and you write a lot about another blockage most likely down the road. Does cleansing bowel regular not help this? Thank-you for reading this.