Day 9

I didn’t sleep again last night due to stomach cramps and some really noisy drunks having a shouting match right out front of the hospital! I’ve had paracetamol and oralmorph to deal with the cramps and I’ve been sleeping for most of the day. Right now, the pain has been bearable and I’ve been able to have (and keep down) cheese and crackers for lunch. I’m still eating with caution because I don’t want to agitate my stomach by eating too much and end up back at square one again. They are still looking at tomorrow as a discharge date but we’ll see. Fingers still tightly crossed!

Day 8

I’m feeling a lot better today compared to the kat couple of days. I was able to sleep again last night and I’ve had very little pain. I’ve had soup and jelly today for lunch and so far so good. I’m going to try something a bit more solid tonight in the form of mashed potato but I don’t want anything much more today just in case. I’ll try some cereal in the morning, though, I think.

Day 7 – update

Well, I’ve had an interesting day; I woke up without any cramps but a very stiff back from actually having slept and a sore throat from the NG tube. They took me for an xray of my tummy and, whilst waiting for it, I gagged a little from the tube, causing me to cough and strain my stomach muscles. Because of said strain, when it came to laying down for the xray, I was quite uncomfortable. The technicians were kind and offered an extra pillow and helped me get back up again though.

Once I was back on the ward, I started gagging on the tube again and started to bring up watery bile. This happened a second time and I asked them to remove the tube, which they did. It helped immediately and I was feeling quite OK for a few hours. This afternoon, however, I had a massive stomach cramp that was causing me to heave and they had to give me IV paracetamol and anti-sickness. I then promptly threw up again but then the pain died down. They gave me oralmorph and I was able to sleep for an hour or so.

Since having woken up, my pain has been minimal and I’ve even been able to drink some water (which I was throwing up before). They’ve taken me off IV fluids for now as the blob is working a bit more now and I’m able to drink. I’m really hoping this is it and I’ll get better from here. Fingers and toes crossed!

Day 7

The NG tube seems to have done the trick as my cramps are almost completely gone. I did have to ask them to remove it today though because it was making me gag. The new cannula is doing well, I’m on IV fluids at the moment because I wasn’t drinking yesterday. I’m on free fluids now but they recommended to see how I go and to play it by ear, so to speak. I’m quite tired still so I’m going to try and catnap this afternoon.

Day 6 – another update

I’ve been throwing up today and been in constant pain with my stomach cramps which only oralmorph seems to help take the edge off of.

The surgical doctor thinks I’m a bit distended and has ordered a tummy xray. He also wants to get an NG tube inserted. I’ve never had an NG tube and, other than what I’ve seen of others having then fitted, I don’t know what to expect. To be honest, I don’t really care so long as it helps.

Day 6 – update

My stomach cramps have been pretty bad today. Paracetamol does absolutely nothing and codeine only takes the edge off for a short while. They’ve given me another oral painkiller in liquid form which sounds similar to morphine but isn’t (I don’t remember the name). This might have worked but, unfortunately, I’ve just thrown up so it obviously won’t now. They did an ECG earlier and may have to do another one.

I’m just waiting on the doctors now.

Day 6

I’m feeling pretty rubbish right now; my stomach has been cramping all night so I’ve barely slept. The doctor thinks it’s my bowel reacting to solid food after not having any for a few days so they’re giving me codeine and paracetamol to try and keep the pain down.

I have no appetite either so I’ve asked to have jelly for both lunch and dinner today because I don’t think I could stomach anything else.

Day 5 (minor TMI warning)

So, I didn’t have a good night last night because I’ve had some trapped wind which has been putting pressure on my stomach, keeping me awake. I’m on oral paracetamol which is keeping my pain at a minimum and I know that the more I move, the easier it’ll pass.

Loop-ileostomy (dubbed Blob 2.0) is working at the moment and they’ve started me on solid food now so the output should become a bit thicker. Hopefully, it’ll help with the slight light-headedness I’ve been having after each excursion to the bathroom. The doctor said I’m a very little bit malnourished so eating solids should give me back some strength. Provided that all works, I should be going home by Wednesday, fingers crossed.

Day 4

I’ve seen my doctor today and I am now drain, cathatar and PCA free! I still have a cannula but they said they’ll remove that as well later.

I am a lot more mobile now that I’m not attached to a load of machines so I feel a lot better than I did yesterday. It still takes a lot of energy to get to the bathroom – which is just across the corridor from my bay – but I am recovering faster from each excursion.

I’m still on a liquid diet, probably until tomorrow, but I’m at least allowed clouded liquids instead of just clear.

Maybe I’ll get to go home soon.

Day 3

My pain was a bit worse last night so my sleep was quite broken, but it seems to be under control at the moment. I’m still on a liquid diet but I am managing more than yesterday – and I haven’t thrown up today, which is always good.

I haven’t needed as many catnaps today either but I am still very tired. I’m going to try and walk again later as the more I move, the faster I’ll heal and I can go home quicker.

To be honest, I just want the cathatar out. It’s not the most comfortable thing to have in.