An interesting week

I’ve had an interesting week; Tuesday night through to yesterday (Wednesday) evening, I experienced horrible stomach cramps and my stoma stopped working. I called my GP for a phone consult and she did a home visit (because she didn’t want me to walk upto the surgery) to listen to my gut and check I wasn’t distended. Typically, my stoma started working about half an hour before she arrived at my flat, but she said my gut didn’t sound blocked. It didn’t, however, sound quite right to her either so she said to drink plenty and to only eat when I felt like it. I didn’t have much of an appetite yesterday but it seems whatever was causing the cramps has passed because the blobs been active all day today and I’ve been eating little meals throughout the day too. Doctor said to call if the cramps start again so I’ll need to keep an eye on things.

Other than that, I feel OK in myself. I’m sleeping a little better and I’m wanting to move around. I’m getting a little restless sitting at home all day everyday so I’m planning on going out for lunch with my mum tomorrow. I just hope the weather is nice and that I can manage the walk.

I spoke to my stoma nurse yesterday and she confirmed that blood from a new stoma is common, but to speak to my GP is the blood is coming from inside my stoma. As the blood seems to have stopped for now, I won’t be calling my GP. However, if it happens again, I will.

The skin directly underneath my stoma was red and sore when I changed my bag yesterday but the barrier cream seems to soothe it a little bit. The annoying thing is, when I saw the nurses on Thursday, my stoma and skin were both fine. I’ve taken a picture of what the skin was like yesterday so when I see them next, I can show them. I’m hoping the skin clears up on its own and that the blood was a one off.

As for the cramps, it seems my eating mini pizzas causes them to get worse. I’m not sure why they do but I think it’s best I avoid pizza for a while. I’ve been using a hot water bottle at night to relax my muscles so I can sleep, but I still need to take painkiller. I’m still taking paracetamol regularly but I’m also taking codeine and buscopan (IBS relief) on occasion.

Recovery update 2

I’ve been home almost a week now and things have been both good and bad; I’ve been able to eat a bit more without feeling sick, I’ve been controlling my pain fairly effectively and I was able to walk a fair bit today with my walking stick.

However, I am still getting a lot of wind passing through my stoma, the skin around him is still a tad bit sore, and today I have experienced what looks like blood in my output. As it turns out, blood in output is quite normal but I did get a bit worried and I did several things to try and get answers.

Firstly, I posted on the No Colon Still Rollin’ Facebook page and the guys there were very supportive, saying it’s normal and not to stress too much about it. Secondly, I spoke to an out of hours doctor (it’s Sunday so my GP and stoma nurse are closed) and she said I could be seen in the emergency clinic. I didn’t really want to do this as I don’t feel this is an emergency and that appointment could be given to someone who really needs it. Also, while I was speaking to her, my amazing partner did a bit of research online and confirmed that it is indeed normal for new stomas to bleed a bit for the first five to six weeks. I am still going to call my stoma nurse tomorrow morning just in case, but this has put my mind at ease so I’m not too worried about it.

Day 26

I’m going home! I’m just waiting for my PICC line to be removed. I’m so happy to finally be going home, I can’t wait to sleep in my own bed.

My stomach cramps have been pretty minimal today so I was able to eat my lunch no problem. I’m just tired now.

They’re giving me some fortijuce to take home with me but no other medication, which is a first.

Positive vibes!

Day 25

The doctors are pretty happy and, provided I can keep food down again today, my PICC line will be removed and I may be discharge tomorrow.

I’ve managed half my cheese sandwich so far today but my tummy is aching so I’m taking it very slowly. I’m going to try and tackle the other half later this afternoon.

The pain is bearable but it can be a bit much so painkillers are still being offered. I’m trying not to ask for oralmorph because I don’t want to become dependant on that but I will if the pain gets too much. They did say I can have a bottle to take home with me if need be but I’d rather I only needed codeine and paracetamol.

It’s been almost a month since my surgery so I am really looking forward to being back home again. I miss my bed, my computer, and, most importantly, my partner and my rats. I know he comes to see me every evening but I still miss him just being there during the day.

I’m not getting my hopes up too high but I’m staying positive. I hope everyone is having a good and safe weekend.

Day 24

Generally feeling pretty good today. I’m still a bit sore around the middle but that’s to be expected. Food-wise, I’m still eating small amounts of soft food but I’m going to try a sandwich tomorrow and see how my gut reacts to something more solid than soup.

The doctors are hoping to send me home this week but we’ll see. It’s been almost four weeks since my surgery and I think I’m mentally ready to go home but my body isn’t quite there yet.

I need to make myself a meal plan for when I get home to ensure I don’t overeat for the first month or so. If I actually get around to writing it down, I’ll be sure to share it.

Day 23 – update

So, the soup and jelly have stayed down. I’m not going to be too adventurous tomorrow, probably stick with soup and jelly again, but I might try some mash potato for dinner (I know, exciting stuff).

The blob has been fine today, a little watery but he’s getting there. He’s also looking a bit healthier.

I’m not going to get my hopes up but I think this could be the way to go, at least for now. This weekend will hopefully be the turning point.

Day 22

I’m currently a bit fuzzy from having anti-sickness via my PICC line so I apologise for any weirdness/lack of sense in this post.

Anyway, I feel a bit better today. I slept a bit better last night but I still feel tired today and keep dosing off now and then. The pain is significantly better today and my stoma has started pumping out lose stool through the day. I still feel pain when I move but it’s under control with IV paracetamol and oralmorph.

I’m nil-by-mouth at the moment with just sips of water allowed. I hope this is only a dip and nothing else serious. I might be having an xray later but we’ll see.

Day 21

My stomach cramps kept me awake last night so all I’ve been doing today is dose. I haven’t eaten anything because I’ve been throwing up. I’ve been advised to sip water for now but they’ve also given me IV fluids because I’m dehydrated.

The doctor said he doesn’t know what’s causing the pain but he wants to wait and see what happens over night before ordering an xray. I think they’ll do one anyway but not until the morning.

Right now, the pain is fairly minimal but it’s been coming in waves so it’s difficult to tell if the painkillers are actuality doing anything.

Day 20

Well, I jinxed myself. Sadly, my stomach cramps have returned in full force and my stoma appears to have stopped working. They’ve given me paracetamol, codeine and oralmorph which has only numbed most of the pain. I’m really worried it’s a blockage of some kind. I haven’t eaten anything that could cause one so it might be scar tissue.

And I was feeling so much better yesterday.