Nurse Report for Dr. Raftopolous

Thanks, Kathy. How are you and Hubby holding up? How are you? Maureen

Maureen, I am so sorry to hear of your marital difficulties. I can't imagine what you are dealing with, but want you to know you are in my prayers. You will get through this. Remember to treat yourself well, you are worth it.

All my best

Sher

Thanks so much for this, Sher. The mystery for me is that we have never really done well with my post-surgery body. The two of us couldn't seem to understand how to ... how shall I say this ... how to behave, I guess, in our relationship. There is deep caring between us and a long history - but we're empty together. Just empty. And my heart is breaking, I can't tell a lie. And I'm eating to fill the gaping hole in my heart - Maureen

We are doing good for the most part. Starting to look at houses again. We were on the brink of divorce a year ago and we are trying for pregnancy #2 now. He really didn't get it how much his Mom bothered me and he understands better now. I am hanging in there. I have my good days and bad days yet about missing my munchkin.

Oh Maureen - how devistating - divorce is like death and it is not easy ever.... Not to get too personal, but have you tried marriage counseling? After 23 years - if there is still love, perhaps there is a way to reinvent your relationship and find your back to each other... I will pray that what is ever best for you both is what your ultimate outcome is.....

I am so glad to hear you are meeting with Dr. R - I also read an interesting fact about how if the stoma is stretched it can give you an insatiable appetite

Check this link out http://www.pamtremble.com/uploads/No_drinking_with_meals.pdf

Perhaps your stoma is stretched and a little stitch will make it better?

.... "there's the risk of stretching the stoma (the opening between the pouch and intestines). If you have dense food that has not begun to be digested in the pouch and you drink water you are FORCING that dense food to be pushed through the stoma prematurely. That opening is only about the size of a ladies index finger, but if you push food through the opening before its ready to go, you'll eventually stretch that opening. This is FAR more worrisome than stretching your pouch. Once it's stretched it can become the same diameter as the pouch itself... essentially creating one big long tube that food can be packed into at meals. Basically a 20-foot long stomach."...

You are STRONG - that needs to be your mantra now more then ever - you are in my prayers and thoughts.