Back in the hospital

Well I have found myself a resident of the med surg unit at St. Vincent Carmel yet again. I have not been feeling very well for the past week or so. I have really struggled to eat. I take a bite of something and can't hardly chew it and swallow it. My body kind of rejects it (not sure how else to explain it) and I want to throw it up. Because of this I have also been struggling to drink. I have been so very tired and feeling really bad. Called Dr. E's office this am who sent me to the ER. They did labs, IV fluids, and a CT of my abdomen. The CT was ok, there were no blockages or signs of leaking from the surgery. My labs showed a VERY low potassium level. They gave me a bolus of potassium. It also showed a marginally low albumin level (probably due to the fact I've struggled to get my protein in). They admitted me for more IV fluids, a protonix drip, and a clear liquid diet over night. I look forward to talking to Dr. Evanson in the am. Anyone else experienced this type of feeling when you eat? I have literally eaten basically nothing in the past week.

Oh Melissa, I am so glad you got the care you needed.  I will be praying for you.  You have done so well, and now this.  I hope you will be eating normal soon.  Are you still in the hospital?  Do they have wi-fi?  I am confused since you are able to communicate.

Take care and keep us updated.  We want you well!

Thanks Lisa, yes the hospital has wi-fi. I brought my laptop, just in case they kept me.

Melissa

Hi Melissa,
I know this is a bummer but you are in the best place to be taken care of.  I hope they find out what is causing this and I hope you feel better soon.  Keep us posted.
Jacque

Melissa,
My dear I have you in my thoughts and prayers. Get better soon. We all love you, sweetie  I love you, big hugs & lots of blessings, Gail

melissa--take care of yourself.  how many times have you told me this in the last few weeks???  keep me updated on how you are doing.  terry

Now Melissa - Dr. Evanson is just going to think that you'll do anything to see his cute face!     (Oh - wait a minute - oops, that's me...)

Seriously, I am glad you are there and they are trying to figure out what is wrong.  The very low potassium level is not good, and you know that.  You are in the best place to be  - St. V's will figure out what's wrong so you'll be back on an even keel!

I'm so sorry you've had such a struggle.  Call me anytime if you need anything, and I'll do my best to help you out, even if it is just to lend an ear while you vent.

Hugs.....

Melissa,

It sounds like you have a stricture to me. They'll probably do an endoscopy on you today. If you do, they'll dialate your stoma back open and you'll be good to go. In a week or two, they will probably schedule a follow-up endoscopy to ensure your stoma is staying open. As we heal, the scar tissue can get over-active where they reconnect our intestines to the pouch (aka the stoma). As it does, the opening can get quite small. It can get where you can't keep down fluids and you end up dhydrated. My rule of thumb was if I couldn't keep down the majority of my food for two days in a row and I KNEW I chewed it up well enough, I was on the phone to Dr. Gupta's.

Let us know what you learn. Get well quick!

Sherri

Hey Little Sister,   Your angel is here for you!  If you need anything, you give me a call.  I am sorry I didnt post sooner.  We left yesterday at noon for the veiwing and got home around midnight.  So I just got up and moving.


I am praying for you and be sure to update us.

Love and Hugs,
Tracy

Ditto what Sherri said.  I had the same thing , except foolishly I just thought it was part of the plan and stuggled through it for months and never went to the ER, I am sure I was dehydrated int here several times.  Positive side, I droped my weight extra fast.   Finally had a couple of endos and I am fine now.  Almost to fine, I can eat with zero problems.