Support Crohns and Colitis UK

I have just ordered my Christmas cards from Crohn's and Colitis UK, it's a great way of supporting them.  They have a lovely selection of cards and gift wrap for you to snap up, so go here:

https://nacc.org.uk/payment/shop/shop.


Last order date is Monday 5th December.


So grab your self some festive cheer and do a good deed in the process :)

Staples and Stitches

On Friday I  had a very interesting experience I won't be forgetting in a hurry!  I went to the toilet! as you do! my pouch was feeling full and so was my stoma bag, so I went to do the necessary things when something made me go OUCH! O er misses!  Staples were coming out of my bottom :)  Yes people I am a human stapler!!  I was overwhelmed with panic at first and then after a second of realising I was ok and my new designer bowel wasn't going to fall out of my bum into the toilet, I was bursting with pride!  An experience not everyone has (luckily) but it is quite funny when you think about it.  So I sent a proud text to my boyfriend!! poor bloke.  I can report everything feels fine, I have had no more staples and my output is clear and blood free.  Woohoo! Blood free people, hoorrrayy!


Then on Saturday when people with energy and social lives are glaming themselves up for a night out.  I'm in the loo! AGAIN! Changing my stoma bag, Roo gets uncomfortable after two days, when a bag changes become a must.  Looking at my new stoma and inspecting the skin around it I realise that half my stitches have just fallen out on there own accord.  Whilst cleaning her up the rest of them fell out too.  So my body is on a roll and getting rid of these little invaders.  


My wound however has an annoying habit of tricking me into thinking it has healed and then re opens! Not a lot though, I don't want to be too dramatic, only less than a cm.  So again I've wiped out the steri-strips to get this wound closed up for good.

Quotations

From enlightenyourday.com

From zsazsabellagio.blogspot.com

From zsazsabellagio.blogspot.com

From eighteen25.blogspot.com

From tinywhitedaisies.tumblr.com

Most importantly

Lx

Welcome ROO!! Who does lots of POO!!

On the 10^th October 2011 Roo my Loop Illeostomy was created by a team of brilliant surgeons and on that day my j pouch was created! Well every Roo needs a pouch.  I have mixed emotions about my new stoma, I feel it has been acting like a baby, it demands so much attention, I eat and it poops A LOT!  After my new stoma was made the skin around my stoma separated, this has been really hard to deal with.  Having a wound that is very raw next to basically an erupting volcano spitting what seems like molten lava has not been pleasant.  I also have a very high output, which adds another factor in to its care.  Once out of hospital my bowels that were very sluggish decided to wake up and have been very active since.  This is very normal with a loop illeostomy because the stoma is much higher up in the digestive tract. It is something I am still learning how to manage.  My community stoma nurse came to see me last week to help me, I was told I may need Silver Nitrate treatment but because of a few changes and another week praying things will heal, they are.  My stoma nurse was very happy with my progress today and said she was pleased with how I am healing and gave me the lovely words... “Your fine, I won’t need to do anything”.  I am thrilled, it feels like I am seeing the light again, with regards to my skin.  It needs a few more weeks to be in tip top condition but it is getting there and is feeling so much better.

                I would suggest to anyone having difficulties with their skin or stoma to get in touch with their stoma nurses, a few changes can make a huge difference.  I am now using a more convex bag, which helps to protrude the small stoma I have.  I also now wear a belt, which works on the same principle of holding the bag closer to my body keeping the stoma out and away from my skin.  I use the amazing mouldable seals, which are quite frankly a God send, they are fantastic.  All of these things combined are really helping things to heal.  One of the best products with separated skin or sore skin is ostomy powder.  Apparently if you put it on and it holds and doesn’t fall off, it is a sign that it is the right time to use it.  Obviously less is always more, but sometimes you need that extra bit of help. 

Today I have been given Absorba Gel, a solidifying agent which will help to thicken my watery output.  They are small packets that are popped into the bag.  So far it has helped and emptying my bag seems less daunting when it isn’t so watery.  I have also been taking Loperamide every day, some days I need to take more other days less.  I just take each day as it comes and slowly I will get there. 

I am still very sad about losing Winnie and when I admit this I think I must be mad, and to some of you reading this you might think why on earth would she miss that!! But I do.  I am slowly getting used to little Roo and her demands on my body and on my patience. 

Wishing you all health and happiness.

Lx

Home Sweet Home

<sub>Hi,


 Well I'm back home (thank goodness!)</sub>

_{Here’s what happened:}

_{I woke up around 05.30 to get ready and make sure I was up and ready to have my pre-op drinks, these were lemony and not too bad actually.  We arrived at the surgical admissions lounge with about 25 other people, all of us looking worried and tired.   One woman was so loud and obviously very nervous that she was offered a pre op relaxer!! Haha.  We sat down and started to twiddle our thumbs so out came the crochet.  It really has such a calming influence on me, it worked wonders and I managed to crochet a few snowflakes for my Christmas decorations.} 

_{I had my bloods taken by a junior doctor, the nurse took my blood pressure and did a pre op assessment on me.  The anaesthetist came and discussed pain relief etc.  Then a surgeon came to see me, I was very nervous by now and I had not seen him before which unsettled me.  I asked him when I would see the Prof doing my op..he replied that I would be under anaesthetic by the time he was there.  Obviously I hadn’t met this lovely doctor before and he hadn’t met me, because I shocked him...I said “I’m sorry but I will not be having any anaesthetic until I have seen his face!!!!” I really don’t mean to be difficult but I was so nervous and wanted to make sure that the Prof and no one else would do my j pouch.  The lovely doctor got on the phone and the Prof arrived.  I was happy.  We went through everything, and I made sure he realised that I really only trusted that only He was the man for the job.  I mumbled neurotically and blurted out, “but, I will have a baby wont I?” to which he replied “Not today”.  We all laughed! Obviously having complex pelvic surgery may have implications on my fertility, one of my biggest fears.  He said that there is always a risk but most j-poucher’s go on to have children.}

_{I went to the toilet one last time and had a look at Winnie, I was actually talking to her in the toilet! Mad I know but that’s what I did.  I was called to get changed into my sexy gown and even more attractive stockings! My boyfriend and I walked down to theatres, once at the door we had a farewell cuddle.  I then had to sit near the theatre for about 45 miniutes, which was stupid really, but I was so tired by this time I shut my eyes and tried to relax.}

_{Once in the anaesthetic room I was chatting away and we were even having a laugh.  I had one last look at Winnie and told her I loved her.  I wasn’t nervous at this point at all, I was actually looking forward to a good sleep! Haha}

_{My surgery went very well and lasted about 4 hours (I think?) I had a long sleep and didn’t wake up until I was in the recovery room.  I was hooked up to a PCA (Patient Controlled Analgesia) and then moved to the ward.  Where my lovely boyfriend came and soothed me, I was feeling quite panicky because I felt like I couldn’t breathe properly, apparently I was having only 7 resps per min.  This eventually got better.  He stayed with me for as long as possible and I spent most of the night asleep.} 

_{My second night after surgery I woke up because, my bottom had leaked mucous all over me! I got cleaned up and the nurse changed my bed and came back with a nappy for me to wear!  I know the drill by now. I couldn't feel anything until it was already out of my bottom but after a few days, I got some feeling back and could feel when my pouch felt full and I always managed to get to the toilet and relax my muscles and then empty my bottom.  I am so chuffed that even at this early stage I have good control over my new and improved plumbing.}

_{My recovery was going very well until my bowels got very sluggish and stopped one night, which was excruciating.  I was vomiting whilist holding onto my stomach for dear life, ouch! I was given an injection of anti sickness and my bowels eventually kicked back in a few hours later.} 

_{My stoma nurses were once again fabulous and very supportive.  The loop illeostomy is completely different and my stoma nurse suggested a name! Which is ingenious and will be revealed soon.}

_{I didn’t manage to eat much at all during my hospital stay, mash potatoes and cuppa soup being the firm favourites.  I drank as much peppermint water as they would let me have, it really is a god send and soothed my angry bowels.  It felt like a hug in a mug.} 

_{I felt very emotional at times, and when the curtains were drawn around my bay I would have a cry to myself.  I was caught one day, mid tears by my Enhanced Recovery Nurse, she was so lovely and supported me.  It’s only natural to be tearful after this sort of operation, it also bought back a lot of painful memories of the last time I was in hospital for my emergency colectomy.} 

_{I tried my best to keep my sluggish bowels going by nibbling food and drinking and walking around the ward like some mad woman.  Walking although hard work and painful really helped to keep the bowels moving.  I was more than happy when my stoma made loud noises because it meant they were working.}

_{I got home 9 days after my operation and getting into my own bed was absolutely blissful.  I had cuddles and hot water bottles and my bedroom was so dark and peaceful compared to the hospital.  I wept and wept with sheer relief.}

_{Love L x}