Grab a chair cause this update is long!

Hello everyone,

Sorry I didn't update yesterday but I wasn't feeling all that great. I'm still not feeling too well today and I may actually end up calling the doctor because I'm having trouble keeping down my meds and I'm still having alot of pain both of which concern me.

I've been on quite a roller coaster ride and even though I have a very long road of healing ahead of me which will include surgery to repair multiple issues, I'm just soooooo glad to finally have some answers. I have been really sick for the last few months but it's been the last few weeks that really did a job on me both physically and mentally and I wouldn't wish any of it on anyone.

I was in no way expecting to be admitted to the hospital on Thursday. Some of you already knew before I left to head down to Lancaster on Thursday that I had just about given up on doctors so I figured if anything that I would go in for my appointment, be told everything is fine, we'll see you on Monday for the scope and then be sent on my way. I won't bore you guys with details since Pam gave you a pretty good idea of what happened there. Basically the doctor knew I was in really bad shape and she wanted the scope done immediately. She actually wanted it done that day but I had already drank my own weight in hot tea by this time (yes, I admit that I have a serious drinking problem) and ate a little bit of oatmeal so there was no way they could put me under anesthesia. I was being admitted regardless though and the scope was being done on Friday with or without Dr Brader there because they were not waiting until Monday. Next thing ya know, they're on the horn with Braders office about all of this and once they duked it out, they told me Brader would be there for the test. I was a bit relieved when I heard that because it was important for him to see exactly what was going on in there.

It turns out that one of the problems I have is a huge ulcer in/on my stoma and it extends into my pouch..I saw the pictures and while it's not pretty, I'll admit that it was pretty dam cool to be able to see my own guts but I'm wacky like that. The ulcer has not perforated yet and is not bleeding which is definitely a plus but if I don't start taking care of it from here on out, I'm going to have even bigger problems than I do now. I was put on 2 different ulcer meds, I absolutely must quit smoking which is going to be really hard but I'm determined to do it one way or another and then in 2 months I'll go for another scope so they can see if it has healed up any and depending what that shows it will determine the next step.

I have also developed multiple gastric and duodenal diverticula which are basically pockets in the walls of the intestines and stomach. Instead of being pinched completely closed, the one side has ballooned outward and there is basically a bubble where food among other things becomes trapped as it tries to make it's way through. I have them in my pouch and the beginning of my intestines right past the stoma which explains why I can vomit up things from 2 days earlier. I know it's gross but I'm just giving you the facts folks. They can perforate and/or begin to bleed so I have to careful not to cause any additional strain on my GI tract. Bring on the fiber baby!! lol

I'm definitely going to need surgery to remove some adhesions as well as fix the diverticula . I was told that my pouch would need to be revised in order to get rid of those pockets but I'm not sure what the plan is to handle any that are in my intestines. I'll find out more at my follow up appointment. I can't have the surgery on my pouch though until the ulcer heals so I'm looking at a minimum of 2 months unless I take a turn for the worse and develop additional complications with all of this and it turns out that it can't wait.

Some of you have asked if this is something everyone needs to be on the lookout for? is it preventable? etc, etc..I honestly don't know but I sure wish I did so I could pass along the info and maybe prevent someone else from going through any of this.  From the info I was given and everything I've been reading, anyone can develop any of the conditions I have not just wls patients. Do I think I contributed to some of it? Yes absolutely. I'm a smoker which is high up there on the list of ulcer irritants so although it did not cause the ulcer, it probably made it worse. I'm also a Closet NSAID Sneak...When I get migraines, the only thing that helps me is Excedrin and I admit that I pop em' when I absolutely need to because honestly, Tylenol just sucks ass. I have to make some changes and I'm sure it will be hard but I'll get thru it. I quit smoking once before for 7 frickin years. Why I picked up again, I'll never know but it's too late to go back and change things now. What's done is done and I just need to make sure I do what's right from here on out.

I just want to say thank you again to everyone for all the well wishes. It's nice to know that I have all of you to turn to when the going gets tough. All the support and concern I received from all of you is greatly appreciated and I love you guys dearly. 

 
 

Wow you have been and are continuing to go through the wringer!  You are very strong and can handle it!

I understand about the smoking.  I was a 20 year 3 pack a day smoker when I quit 7 years ago.  There are many times I would love to have one but I know if I have one.....I'm back to it.  You are in my prayers.  Keep us posted.

Diane

Thanks so much for the prayers Diane. I really appreciate it.

I've been thru the wringer alright but I think now that I actually know everything that's going on, it will be much easier to deal with.

Wow!! You kicked a 3 pack a day habit? Holy canoli woman! That is a HUGE accomplishment and absolutely fantastic. Good for you!! I was such a jackass for starting again after not smoking for over 7 years but I'll quit again. I'm determined to do whatever I need to in order to take care of myself.

Thanks again for the well wishes!

Hugs!!

Wow Val,
You don't know how important it is to be so up front with your current condition. I thank you. As much as it may hurt to admit to your own responsibility in some of this, you have and it's something that needs to be seen by all the folks in our world. It will help more than you know. We have addictions that have trapped us in the past and they still come up, sometimes by surprise, other times by choice, but the bad ones will always be bad. Bad emotionally and bad physically. Your willingness to share with us is part of what makes this place the home it has become for all of us. May the learning and sharing always be here. 

We are all pulling and praying for you. We know you will be better and the solutions are coming. And you will be better than you have ever been. It happened for me and I know it will happen for you. We have great things ahead in our futures. Successing is in our future.

Dennis  

Hi Dennis!! Thank you so much for the well wishes. I feel like I haven't talked to you in forever! Jeesh, I really need to get my butt to a meeting!

I absolutely hold myself accountable for my fair share of the damage that was done and I will always be very open and honest with all of you. My personal belief is that things like this are way too important not to share especially when it has the potential to effect any one of us, at any time. I just hope that by sharing my story, I can help prevent others from being in the same situation that I have been in for the last few months. If it turns out to be only one person then so be it. That's still one less person that will be suffering and that's what's important to me.
 
Thanks again! Hope to see you soon!

Hugs!

 

Val  I am so glad you have some answers and that Dr B was able to be there since he will end up doing the revision. Will you have all these surgeries in Lancaster? If so I live in lancaster and would be happy to support you and the hubby in any way I can. IF you need anything visitors, errand runner, a bed to sleep in we are here for you
Nicole

Thanks so much Nicole! You're a gem!

I'm really hoping that I'll only need one surgery but any surgeries that I do need will be done at Lancaster General. John and I are very grateful for your offer to help us out and of course you can come visit me. I would love having your company while I'm there. It was really tough on me being so far from home and away from my family and friends. Even though I was able to talk to a few of you on the phone or thru text before my phone finally went kaplut, I felt very alone so it would be great to have a friend there just to chat with or walk the halls with.

Once that 2nd scope is done in 6-8 weeks,  I'll have a better idea as to when I'll actually be getting surgery and I will definitely let you know.  In the meantime, I have to go back down in about 3 weeks for just a follow up appointment, I'll let you know the date and then maybe you and I can meet up for lunch if you're available??

Thank you again for all the support and concern!!

Hugs!!

Val - Thanks for the deatiled update! WE do appreciate it, Chris and I have been praying for you and have been worried. I too had ulcers, not nearly as bad as yours but I know it wasn't fun. If you need anything don't heistate to call or e-mail! Even if it is just something to do to keep you from smoking! I'm here to help in anyway that I can. I agree with Dennis that it is beneficial and important to everyone out there that you were so up front about everything, that way maybe someone else's problem can be identified earlier.

Rest well and recover quickly! Don't forget I am here if you need anything
*hugs*

Love Ya!!
Liz

Thanks so much Liz and tell Chris I said thank you as well.

I've never had an ulcer before so this is all new to me. If you have any tips or advice on how to prevent flareups etc, I would really appreciate it. I want to do everything I can to get myself better and soon!

I want to try and keep this from happening to as many people as I can so I will definitely be posting updates as I learn new and additional info from the docs. I don't want any of you to ever suffer like this so as long as no one gets tired of hearing about it all,  I'll continue to be completely open and honest about everything.

Thank you again for everything and I hope to see you soon!!

Hugs!!

VAl You know we are always here for you!!

I was told after the ulcers no caffeine, low fat, and nothing with seeds or nuts that could get stuck in the "folds" of the ulcer itself and aggrevate it. So I had to have white bread or whole wheat white bread and no nuts. I ate a lot of soups and pastas. Not the best choices for a WLS patient but it was the only stuff that didn't hurt. Dr basically told me to eat whatever didn't hurt.

ARe you on the Carafate? That helped too - but it took a LONG time, I was on 3 months of doses - everyone is different though. I too had to be on an NSAID from when I hurt by back, I took it with the prevacid like I was supposed to but I still ended up with the ulcers. Oh you should avoid alcohol and anything acidic (OJ, tomato based things, soda etc)

I am glad that you are open and honest about it all - no need to sugar coat anything. I am the same way.''Hope that you are feeling better and don't hesitate to call me anytime!

*hugs* to you and John - I imagine that this is very hard on him too - I know how close you two are and it can't be easy for him to see you hurting and not be able to "Fix" or help it. Chris always gets like that

Liz