Life is good!

I realize I haven't made and entry in this blog since I came home the last time. Friends have been calling to find out if I've fallen off the face of the earth, and I am please to report that I am alive and well and back to living in Chatham county! ;)

I have not had issues with dehydration since coming home after the re-connect (take-down)surgery. For this I am extremely grateful. I've been packing on the pounds, having been as low as 120, I weighted in at 124 this morning. It is amazing how my friends have been offering to help. Almost everyone who heard I had lost so much weight volunteered to give me as many pounds as I wanted. Their generosity amazed me.

After nearly 2 months in the hospital, I find I desperately need to work on my muscle tone... everything giggles... ARG! Right now, I am doing arm exercises and walking. I'm a bit worried about leg exercises because most of those use ab muscles and that is not an area I am prepared to exercise at the moment!

All in all, I am doing quite well. This is amazing considering the fact that eating healthy is a bit difficult since I can't eat fresh fruits (except bananas), or raw veggies. In fact, veggies need to be cooked to death. No spice. No fried food. No dairy. Well, none of any of those without bouts of diarrhea. I ate a strawberry a couple weeks back and took to bed for 6 hours. My surgeon suggested I should eat anything I wanted and just take 3 Immodium-AD a day, but even taking the 3 a day and eating right, I still have issues with diarrhea so I am not about to follow that advice. The biggest fear is dehydration if I don't keep the diarrhea under control and I definitely don't want to go back into the hospital again!!!!!

So... better. Much better. I'm not ready to run a marathon, but I am ready to visit with friends. To all of those I've warned off while in the hospital, I want to thank you for being so understanding. I just didn't want friends visiting while I was so incredibly sick. As for now, bring it on! I'm up for seeing my friends!

Thanks again for all the prayers, and well wishes. It meant a lot to me to hear from y'all in the comments you left here in by blog, the cards and calls... I felt the love and appreciated every last one of them!

Keep those prayers coming. I'm now cancer free, but having read a few forums on the web for people with my condition, I realize the journey ahead has many bumps in it yet to be experienced.

My heartfelt thanks for all your caring,

Jennie

I'm going home today!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, they finally tired of seeing my smiling face... I'm being released today, just 17 days after my last admittance. WAHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jennie

Going home this weekend!

I just heard the news that I'll probably be heading home this weekend. I couldn't pin them down to which day yet, but this weekend sounds good to me!

I'm doing the happy dance!!!!!!!!! See me smile! I've been here 16 days and counting this time around, and 38 days since January 2. Do I sound ready?!

Wahoo!!!!

Jennie

It works!

Yesterday was a good day... one of those you look forward to. They took my cathater out and I not only peed on my own, but the rest of the plumbing worked too. Life is good!!!!

Part of the reason for celebrating is that the doctor thought he might need to go back for a third surgery. Phew! Maybe tomorrow they'll let me eat something. I'm only managing a couple bites of jello a day right now. I could eat a horse.

Each day, another experience!!!!

Jennie

Life just keeps repeating itself....

Well, they put the ole nasal/gastro tube down my nose last night. This time it was done by a resident (as in baby doc, as opposed to fellow patient of this hospital ward) and an ICU nurse who has done it bunches of times. She had to use a pediatric tube because my nostril is so delicate.... I guess the size on the outside has no relationship to what is on the inside. ;)

I was in a LOT of pain last night. Poor Perry deserves much praise and a heart felt thanks for hanging in there with me screaming so loudly. Did I mention that it started back up again this morning around 5:30? The good news for Perry is he had to leave by 6:00 so he could go to the beach. Somehow I didn't believe him when he said he was sorry he had to go. ;)

The doctor came by this afternoon and told me my belly is distended and I wouldn't be eating until I passed all that gas. I look 3 months pregnant. My urine is brown.... so I'm in the hospital and still dehydrated. Whatever.. I'm just glad the pain is gone. Babysteps.

It looks like this time around is mimicking the last one. I just hope it doesn't mean I'll be here for 13 days again. The good news is I still have plenty of books to read and games to play. The bad news is I have the tube down my throat so I can't really talk much.

Feel the love,

Jennie

Slow recovery

I had the illeoscomy bag removed on Monday and am now hooked up to go the old fashion way. That's the good news. The bad news is nothing is going the old fashion way. Each day I remain hopeful that the plumbing will all start working again. I haven't eaten, or had anything to drink since Sunday. I'm thinking groundhog day, the movie. Heck, I'm living it.

I had a fever yesterday, but that's gone. I'm just trying to do what I can to get to the next phase. I'll let y'all know when I get there. In the mean time, Perry and Margaret have been spending nights with me and I have been trying to keep phone calls at a minimum.... too dehydrated.

I look forward to returning home. I've heard reports that I have flowers blooming in my yard. I can't wait to see them for myself!

Hugs,

Jennie

Staying in the hospital this weekend

I'll not be going home today, but rather will stay in the hospital this weekend and be here on Monday for my next surgery. This ensures that I will be hydrated when I go in for the surgery and will have the best chance for a good outcome. The surgery will be mid morning on Monday. It should last 1-3 hours. They may not have to open me up all the way again. All good news. The recovery is supposed to be 3-5 days.

Life is indeed good!

Jennie

New surgery planned

Well, the latest is that I will be going in for surgery to remove (or Take down) my oscomy bag on Monday. The dye job showed no leaks in my new setup. I'm still VERY concerned about keeping hydrated, since even on the maximum amount of meds, I'm putting out too much liquid.

I may be going home on Friday, then return on Monday for the procedure. The writeup on the takedown surgery says 3-5 days recovery at the hospital, so by all accounts, I'll be home for good by the end of next week. Aren't I just the optimistic one!

I'd like to thank all of you for your calls, visits, notes and prayers. It has meant a lot to me. I'll keep y'all up to date on my progress through this blog.

Feel the love,

Jennie

Talked to the doctor....

I talked to my surgeon this afternoon. He wants to pump some dye into me to see if there are any leaks in his new creation, and if not, he will schedule my take down surgery for next week. I'm apprehensive, but what the hell. ;)

The dye job will be either Wednesday or Thursday. I can see the reasoning behind it. I'm just a bit gun-shy.

On the good news side, I'm hydrating right up.... I talk normally, instead of that weird voice I took on when I was so dehydrated. I feel like I have a bit of the old me back. I just wish the nausea or acid stomach would go away. The doctor thinks it's because I'm grossed out by my oscomy bag. What an idiot. (oops... fill that in with something more politically correct. I just can't in my current mindset.)

Jen_girl

Back in the hospital, AGAIN.....

Well, I'm back in the hospital again. I came in last night around 7:00. I'd lost 16 pounds since I left the hospital Thursday a week ago, but 10 of those pounds were the fluids they had pumped into me during my stay. Not good. In fact, the not goods, keep mounting. This morning the resident on duty told me they are thinking about doing the take down operation while I'm here in the hospital this time. For those of you scratching your heads, the take down refers to the removal of my ilioscomy bag and the reconnection of my intestine to my new anus. Now I know a lot of you have been lobbying for that, but I have great trepidation when it comes to the next phase. Could that be because I've read a lot of studies from other hospitals siting quality of life issues after the take down operation... Duh!!!

Whatever.

My phone number at the hospital is 966-3514. I stopped using my cell phone because I got a bill for $250 for the month of January.

For right now, I'm not a happy camper, but I'm still aware how very lucky I am so the happiness quotient will rise again as soon as I quit whining.

Hugs,

Jennie

I'm going home tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The doctor came by today and told me that after I finish the 4 bags of potassium I need to take in my IV, I am done here. That means sometime tomorrow, I'm out of here.... I can't wipe the smile off my face!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh happy day.....

Jennie

Still in the hospital....

Well, for all of you who wonder why I haven't returned your message on my home answering machine, news flash.. I haven't been ignoring you.... I just haven't been home yet. I'm still in the hospital. I may be going home Friday. God, I hope so!!!!

Jennie

Back in the hospital, sucking down fluids thru the IV

I got all settled in to a new room at the hospital late last night. Apparently lots of folks choose to have elective surgery at the beginning of the new year. They are expecting me to stay for 2-3 days. That kind of put a wrench in the works for Barb Perrin to come stay with me, but she may come East on Wednesday.

The good news is that since I've been having the IV, I'm no longer dizzy when I try to get up, and I don't get the blood rushing head aches. Life is better!

Did I mention that Patty Kirkley got the Saint of the week award during my stay? I won't gross y'all out by telling you why, but rest assured, she deserved it!!!! Both Patty and Ken were wonderful hosts. I felt TOTALLY pampered and spoiled! I could get use to this!!!!!

Hugs,

Jennie

Going back to the hospital

Talked to the doctor this afternoon. He thinks I should check into the hospital for a couple days to try to re-hydrate me. Of course, there are no beds available, so they will give me a call when one is. I should hear from them tonight or tomorrow.

Still losing weight

I'm thinking about writing a diet book... "How to lose 30 pounds in less than a month!" I think I'll make some money off it! You know how that stomach staple thing is such a rage... just wait until folks find out how much you can loose by having your colon removed! I, however, am ready to put some of that weight back on.

Unfortunately, I'm a little off kilter. Food doesn't taste good. Sweets are SOOOOOO sweet that I can't eat them. Everything is magnified... flavors, smells... The doctor just says drink lots and eat anything you want. Even the foods I fantasize about, when I finally get it, I can't eat more than a bite. I'll call the doctor tomorrow and see what he has to say.

News flash... Barbara Perrin from Celo is coming to Chapel Hill on Sunday. I will move home then. It will be good to have someone with me for a few days. If any of y'all who know Barbara want to come visit me, that would be a good time... kill 2 birds with one stone... kinda.

Least any of y'all are beginning to feel sorry for me.. rest assured, I am doing remarkably well. Tonight, Sharon Flicker is going to pick me up and take me to our bi-monthly bridge game.

Hugs,

Jennie

Moving to Patty's for a spell....

Well, I've become totally spoiled at Maggie's, but I believe in sharing the wealth, so I am going to take Patty Kirkley up on her offer to move in to her guest bedroom for a few days. I really thought I would be able to go home, but when I went home yesterday, I was just too weak. I can't walk more than 40 feet without having to sit down and rest. My pulse has been too rapid, 126 one day, 115 the next. I'm dehydrated, but working on drinking more. I think I just don't feel safe moving home yet.... especially if we get the 2-4 inches of snow that is being called for tonight. I hope that storm isn't headed for the Capital!!!! Talk about bad timing!!!

I'll keep y'all posted. Thanks for all the well-wishes.

Jennie

135 pounds!

For those of you who knew me when I was in my 20's, you would recognize a trace of the old Jennie. I haven't weighed in the 130's since I was in my 20's. I've lost 20 pounds since going into the hospital. That would explain why when I asked my doctor about the white pasty stuff on my face, he said it was because of malnutrition. You try going for 8 days without eating anything solid, and see how you do... ;) The doctors assured me I could go for over a month without food and still survive. I didn't feel like pressing the envelope on that one. The good news is now that I can eat solid foods, I'm getting better. I'm not exactly eating huge portions, but I am eating and enjoying it. Maggie made me a wonderful roasted chicken with potatoes and carrots the first night here. It was like I had died and gone to heaven.

The biggest problem I'm having right now is being weak and occasionally dizzy. I sometimes can't walk very far without having to sit down. I need to build my stamina.

Right now, I'm planning on moving back to my house on Wednesday, Jan 21. I'm going to go there today to see what I need to get by. I am hoping to have various friends stop by and help me. I will need help going to the grocery (2 miles from my home), and lifting anything over 8 pounds. I'd even be up for a meal or two. ;) I know a lot of folks have offered to help, so I'm going to try to accept those gracious offers. I really do need some help if I am going to get through this.

Hugs,

Jennie

I'm out of here!!!!

Although I knew this day would finally come, I was beginning to doubt I'd ever see it!!!!! This morning the docs came by on rounds and said they were signing me out. I'm doing the happy dance!!!!

I don't know when I'll actually be heading out the door, but it will be sometime today. Probably this afternoon. I'm going to be staying in the visiting guest suite at Maggie Scarborough's lovely home. Boy, do I have good friends!

Thanks for all your cares, and help. I can't stop smiling!

Hugs,

Jennie

So stop the singing, already!

Okay... I know in previous updates, I've mentioned the need for Little Suzie to wake up (Little Suzie being my nickname for my small intestine, and waking up meaning starting to work), and I know some of y'all have been writing that you've been going around humming that song ever since I mentioned it, but this would be a good time to STOP HUMMING IT!!! Yes, I'm still in the hospital and Suzie is not only awake, but belting out copious quantities of fluid. Not good! I've been passing 3 liters of fluid and I should only be passing one. Apparently it is too active. :(

The yeast infection from hell is back, the thrush won't go away, and I have a urinary track infection, but the good news is I'm finally peeing on my own, and with luck I will be checking out TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Okay... that is contingent on my bag output slowing and thickening, but I remain forever hopeful that it will occur SOON!

Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers. I keep getting stronger every day!!!!

Feel the love,

Jennie

I never thought I'd look forward to JELLO!

Today was an important day. They took the surgical drain out and started me on food... if you call Jello food. I feel nauseous when I eat. I would like someone to shoot me, but no takers to date. Tomorrow will be better!

The surgeon said I will not be getting out until at least Monday...

And so it goes.

Oh... Margaret Hartley gets the angel of the month award. I'm too tired to tell y'all why..... it would take forever to list all the reasons!!!!

Hugs,

Jennie

We tried New Age techniques and still Little Suzie Sleeps.

Cosi Long came over today to be my daytime care giver. I wish y'all could have been here to witness the convergence of New Age and conventional medicine. We had a u-tube video rocking with "Wake up Little Suzie" while Cosi massaged my feet in the heel which is the spot Reflexologists believe represents the little intestine. While that was going on, I was sucking hard on my pulmonary breathing tube to keep that air coming deep into my lungs, and to try to awaken Suzie.... And still she sleeps.

For those of you just catching up, who don't understand the significance of all this,I can't move to the next phase of healing until my intestine wakes up and starts working. That is to say I can't eat until my colon wakes up and so far, no luck.

The good news is that the lab results came back and I did not have cancer elsewhere in my colon! Now THAT'S something to celebrate!!!

Jen-Girl

I ask them to KILL me - now I'm glad they didn't

Monday night was a rough one. Poor Margaret is probably still traumatized. ;) I was feeling nauseous so I had Margaret get the nurse to see if it was okay to throw-up. I proceeded to throw-up over a quart of bile at which time my world exploded. I had two nurses trying to get a tube down my nose into my stomach and not get it into my lungs. One nurse was screaming - "SWALLOW SWALLOW this water or the tube will go into yours lungs." The other nurse was screaming - "She has to much water in her already. It will just come up." I felt like a women in labor with her coaches trying to help her get through it. I didn't know if I should swallow, just die or both. Did I mention that the first nostril that they tired to put the tube down didn't work so they had to pull the tube out and start all over with the second nostril. They said the problem with the tube was I had a diviated septrum. (editorial note from Dale: They said that because they were too PC to say she had a "Hooked Italian Nose") When they finally got the tube down into my stomach, they pumped over 900 milliliters of bile. The next morning, I was glad that they hadn't taken me up on my request to kill me.

As it stands now, I won't be getting out on Friday. The earliest is Sunday. We are waiting for Little Suzie to wake up. That's my nickname for my small intestine.
..."Wake up Little Susie, wake up" Once Little Susie wakes up - it will be 3 or 4 days before I can get out.

To all my dear friends who have tried to call me or offered to come by and visit, thanks so much for the thought but please understand I am not up for visitors or talking on the phone. My month is very dry and talking just dries it out more. The tube down my throat makes it hurt when I talk. (editorial note from Dale: I wish I had known that was all it took years ago!)

I will try to update the blog more frequently.

Thanks for caring!

And she's up

Andy again, So the news is she is up and walking! She went on three walks today. The doctor seems pleased. She is on less morphine and very hungry, which sounds like a dangerous combination to me. I wish I could be there with her to give the readers most accurate and detailed updates, but my source (Dale, aka, Dad ) assures me he is being observant, supportive and (mostly)agreeable. So, Jennie give me a call if he is giving you problems.

Surgery News

Hello Everyone, this is Andrea. I just wanted to let everybody know that Jennie came out of surgery around 3:00 today and everything went well. It is reported she was cracking jokes with the recovery nurse as she was waking up from surgery. She is currently recovering with Maggie at the hospital. She is not ready to receive visitors yet.