I'm going back to puree soon...

again! I had some (1/4 cup, if that) chicken and wild rice soup today at 2pm and it's been coming up all day. After 4 hours of of vomiting and frothing, I just called Dr Peters and he instructed me to take water to perhaps pu**** through. I have to call him back in an hour. It seems to be working, I feel a little better. I couldn't get my head off my pillow today until now. I hope I don't have to go to the hospital as he said if I am not better I will have to have some tests done. I'm afraid to eat anything ever again. It's about time I experimented with the emoticons, but I'm in such a crappy mood that none seem appropriate! Dianne

Aww sweetie, that's a shame that you are feeling that way. Hopefully the puree will help settle things down. YOu may want to keep an eye on that... ask Elissa.. I think she was reacting the same way about a month out and ended up having her stoma stretched. Stay in touch with the docs and keep them aware of how you are feeling. Take care hon! T

Dear Dianne, I am so sorry you are going through this ... I so wish there were someway we could help all the new post-ops just sail right through all this kind of stuff without incident. I had a bit of a hard time when I actually tried to go to "solids" also. I remember that I had to revert back to a softer diet for a short while and allow my tummy a bit more time to heal. Dianne, don't beat yourself up over this ... and don't become afraid of trying something new. This is all a game of trial and error at least to some degree. I am wondering if the combination is what got to you ... I know that at your stage, I would not have been able to do the chicken or rice all that well, let alone with fluids (broth) to top them off, likely would not be able to do it even today. When it came to eating chicken, I could only do a couple of bites at most or it would really hit me hard. And I could not even think about doing rice until recently, and still only a couple of bites at most. Especially if it is not cooked to almost a mush consistency, which I am not sure is possible with wild rice? Anyway, the above combo may have hurt but when you put the fluids (broth) on top perhaps it started the rice swelling thus causing your session. Good news is ... if that is the case, then time will take care of it and you should be feeling better soon. But I know after I had a stint like this, I had to put the ole pouchy on fluid and or soft foods for a couple of days to allow it to rest. If I tried to introduce solids again too soon ... it was extra grouchy and would give me fits!!! Know that I am thinking of you and praying that all will be alright given some time. Sure wish I had great words of wisdom for you Dianne ... but I can only offer the assurance that we do know what you are going through and further assurance that it has gotten easier for me with time and trial. I know this part can be a bit daunting ... but truly it does get easier with time and experience with your new tummy's likes and dislikes. ((((((HUGS))))))))))) Tammy

Wow!!! Diane I am sorry to hear sweetie you've been sick all day. Is there anything I can do? I sure hope the water solution works......an hospital! Please keep the doctor posted on your condition as well as the board....Boy what a feeling Please know I am thinking of you.....

Dianne - sorry you are having these issues while transitioning to solids. Please don't be discouraged - I know that is easier to say then to do. I tried to brainstorm a little & here is what I've come up with - try avoiding chicken or other solid proteins for another week or so. It is possible - though unlikely if it was canned soup that the rice swelled some once iy was in yoru stomach. remember what Brett said about only taking a bite every 7 or 8 minutes? That is really hard in the begining and honestly I'm not sure I ever nailed it but it does help when transitioning from the puree to go really slow. Even if that means your entire meal is only 4 seperate bites stretched out over 40 minutes it may be helpful. Here is what I would try (and maybe you have already done this but if not maybe it will help) Try some bulkier soft foods maybe coursly chopped egg salad? Chunky chili, a few tortilla chips & salsa, sliced mozzerella, the insides of a taco (not the whole thing at first), tuna on ritz crackers, peanut butter crackers, well cooked macaroni & cheese, corsly chopped shrimp, crabmeat... Those are just a few things I can think of but when trying one of them don't even bother trying a 1/4 cup if you don't want to. Just try one bite - maybe 2. It isn't really a hunger issue anyway (probably you don;t really feel hunger yet?) This might help your pouch get used to the feeling of the more solid foods without pushing it much. If I can help in anyway or you need to talk just let me know. And don't worry too much if you have problems with solids the most likely thing they will do is an EGD to see if your stoma may need to be stretched a bit. That is not uncommon, it is called a "stricture" and it is where the new opening from your stomach to the intestine got too small during the healing process. You don't generally notice a problem during the liquid & puree stages because that texture food still passes through the smaller opening with relative ease. The solution is to simply stretch the stoma during an EGD with a balloon like device - you go back to puree for 24 -48 hours & try again. I had to have it done 2 times post op. It is one of the more common things that can happen. Love Kathy

Diane, I'm so sorry you are having difficulties. Listen to the older posties and the docs, I'm sure you'll be back on track in no time. Take care, feel better, Valerie

Dianne, Sorry to hear you're not feeling well. Rice can be very tricky. You may want to avoid that for a while. It really does swell in the pouch. I over cook mine and eat very slowly. Hang in there! love, deb