Hi Liza,

I hope your surgery went well. Hopefully, you will heal quickly. I get the impression that you are on the younger side (since I am almost 64, most people on this forum are younger than me!) so I think you will heal quickly. As we get older, the healing process takes longer. :-) 

God bless,

Stella

Eagerly waiting an update from our heroine. How is she doing!

Expect latest instalment soon when your well on your road to recovery.

Another Virtual Hug to boost you up.

I heard from her this A.M.,  she had a  rough night & will be back here asap.  She had an afternoon surgery.  Shes a tough cookie this Liza of ours!! 

@dlkfiretruck

I am sorry to hear that, but surgery is rough any way you look at it. You are right, Linda. Liza is a tough cookie and she'll get through this. I'll keep praying 🙏.

God bless 😇.

Hi all,

Yep, yesterday was a rough day. I was late going in to surgery. I think my husband filled me in on the details when I got to my room, but my memories are foggy. So when the different doctors came around this morning, I learned there were lots of unexpected surprises that came up. They did remove the sigmoid colon as expected. But the tunnels in the wound were actually fistulas from my small intestines. There were holes in my small intestines, so the had to remove a couple 3-4 inch sections of it. There were also some abscesses. Because of all this infection that needed to be cleaned up, they were unable to revise the stoma (to hopefully have fewer leaks) and to put on the mesh to repair the hernia. They did partially sew my tummy shut, but left gaps to drain (sort of like buttoning a shirt). They said it will become another hernia soon, probably less than 3 months. Once I am healthier they will do the hernia repair surgery, which will likely take 4-6 hours. 

It is so painful in my tummy!!  The nurse helped me get up today and I was dizzy and in so much pain that I couldn’t even walk. I took a couple steps in place and laid back down, which hurt almost as badly as getting up. I’ve had a lot of trouble sleeping, even if they aren’t coming in and out all night. And they think now I may be here longer than the 4 days predicted. 

Thanks for all the good wishes. And the virtual hugs. 

@squeakyandliza...Oh Liza... no wonder you have been so exhausted eh!  Your whole system is working over time fighting infection on top of everything else! 

I'm so glad they got behind everything & are helping you! You deserve to feel better for a change! I'll keep you & hubby in my prayers while you fight for healing, better health & sleep 💐❣

Liza that’s hard to cope with, the face that some of the problems have been sorted is a start and best wishes the rest of the treatment is completed 

Liza, I am very happy that you are getting the care you need, and like John said this is a beginning. You now know what you have been dealing with and what needs to be done next. 💐from LL

Hi Liza,

Sorry the surgery was not as you hoped. But at least they fixed some of the problems. And without the ulcers maybe your inflammatory load will get better. At least this is a good step forward.

It will be good to get back home, thats for sure. Be strong.

Liza,

My heart and prayers are with you. As everyone said, despite the setbacks, at least the doctors have started to get you on the road to better health.

God be with you in all of this.

Stella

Thanks for all the good wishes. I was able to get up and walk about the floor a ways twice today. The most painful part is the actually getting up. Once I’m walking, that isn’t so bad. Then the laying back down is the next most painful. I sure appreciate you all. 

Hey all...as I lay here reading all this beautiful support & concern I admit to a few tears running down my cheeks. 

This is amazing to read! When I think about that year I had in hospital 13 years back,  away from my family & friends.... well, it would have been so helpful to have had this kind of support.  Knowing you all are here, not just for Liza, which is so very wonderful to see,  but for anyone else who needs it, is pretty darn awesome!!  

YES!!! this is why I love this community. I think because we've all been through hardships to get where we are, everyone is so supportive because we've actually experienced it, instead of just reading or hearing something and making an often uninformed judgement. 

Wishing you all the best in your recovery Liza. :) 

Please send our good wishes to the Squeakinator, too, Liza. Hope you are having a good day. LL

@squeakyandliza

Though it seems like recovery is coming slowly for you, each little step you take is a victory. Hang in there, kiddo. One day, you'll look back on this and be grateful for how far you've come. Though this may sound cliche, just remember, victories are won one step at a time. You'll get through this!

God bless,

Stella

I am going to be discharged tomorrow. Seems fast, but I am meeting all their hurdles. I think the recovery drinks and exercise in advance really did make a difference. I still have a drain tube in the wound that will come out at my follow up on the 22nd. No idea yet when the next step will be. Just working my way through this one.  

It has made me so happy to read all your messages. Squeaky too. 😀

I sure don't envy you the car ride home. I hope you have a pillow or two along. Prop yourself up, recline a bit & support your neck with a hand towel or something. My 7 hour car ride home was brutal! Remember to Protect your tummy & squeaker! Stay gently hydrated. A blanket wouldn't  hurt either!! 

You will rest so much better at home & likely sleep better to eh! You have Quietness to look forward too!! Be safe & eat in the car!  Another virtual hug! 😁🤦‍♀️😷💐

It’s always nice to be back in your own bed. Your husband sounds like good company. Have a pleasant, uneventful trip home; the scenery must be pretty this time of year.

@dlkfiretruck

I agree.  I had a 6-hour ride home from the hospital through the Rocky Mountains.  My wife felt so bad and apologized for every bump and curve in the road.  I'm just glad I didn't need a bathroom break on that trip.  Hang in there.  Glad you're going home!  

The trip home was rough. Every bump and turn in the road put pressure on my tummy. My hubby felt bad and apologized whenever they couldn’t be avoided. I have been in bed about 16 of the 19 hours we have been home. The pain is horrible. I’m so glad to be home but I miss the nurses coming around with the pain meds every 3 hours or so. 

Thanks again for all the love and support you guys!!