I'm home

I made it home from the hospital. Thanks to everyone for their thoughts and prayers. Just a heads up for all of those that do not know, if you have a bowl movement, and the stool looks like tar,(pitch black), it means you have blood in it, and you need to get it checked out. The cause of mine, was an ulcer where my intestines attach to my new pouch. This was caused by either too much caffeine, or by some nsaids,(Anti-inflamatories), that I took Saturday/ Sunday last weekend. my blood level is alittle low, but I should be able to bring that up fairly quickly. The good news is, that I lost 6 pounds between thursday morning and today, way to go hospital food.

I've heard that taking NSAIDS can cause an ulcer VERY, VERY quickly, so I bet that's the cause. I never heard of caffeine causing an ulcer, but there's so much I don't know! Anyway, the good news is that you're home and you're going to be ok. Lay off the aspirin, though, ok?? You make us worry!!! Jan

Steve I just posted a message to Cathy, literally the minute you posted. I was late seeing her message. I;m glad you are home and doing better. Just want to let you know (FYI) if you are sensitive to NSAIDS, be cautious with Prontonix or any of the Proton Pumps....I had a severe allergic reation to it after a blood transfusion in 2001 supposedly due to stomach ulcers. Its been 3 years of consant hives from salicylates in so many items from our food to meds. I'm using Zantax150 (scipt) and doing well on this. Just wanted to give you heads up.

So glad to hear you are doing better Steve. We missed you and Kathy at the meeting on Saturday. Didn't find out until the afternoon you were at MPH, would have stopped by. Hope you are back to feeling normal in no time. Julie

It's wonderful you are ok now and the problem wasn't super serious. Also you know how to prevent this from happening again. Your unfortunate experience has been a learning experience for me and probably several others as well...but don't let it happen again! l Kallen