Thank you to all who were concerned about my health after reading my recent post. Frankly, this last partial blockage kicked my butt, so to speak. It had me very worried, thinking that, once again, I was about to go down the path of misery my Ileostomy has prevented these past nine years. As I mentioned, prior to having my stoma, blockages were fierce and frequent, due to slow motility and backing up through the small intestines, or due to an adhesion wrapping itself around a loop of bowel. Either way, it was a protracted event, and I lived from one to another. Having a taste of a better life, one not filled with that constant anxiety, made it ever the more difficult to imagine going back.
The good news is that the blockage is in the past, having taken a little more than two weeks to return to feeling well. I felt a positive transition 11 days in, and over the past few days, less and less cramping after meals. There were some positives that came from this experience, and I wanted to share that with you.
I have always believed in speaking out and asking for what is necessary regarding health, mine or someone for whom I am advocating. Staying in touch with my gastroenterologist is part of advocating for myself. Coincidentally, he had scheduled me for a colonoscopy (or in my case, since I do not have a colon) a sigmoidoscopy to check the rectum for colon cancer. Additionally, this blockage had me question the possibility that there was a problem with my stoma, Lily, and I requested he check the anatomy to be certain there wasn’t any narrowing, etc. The procedure to do that is an ileoscopy. That requires liquids the day prior to scoping, and cleansing the bowel. Otherwise, once I was “napping” Dr. Rubin performed both tests and took many biopsies.
All went well, thank goodness, and Dr. Rubin told me the stoma is healthy and functioning well. I have peace of mind and that is invaluable. Moral of my story: if you are concerned, go as far as is necessary to know you have been heard. Whether that means asking for a second look at a mammogram; requesting an ultrasound if nothing has shown on a C-T scan and there is still pain; additional blood work or urinalysis; or a referral to a specialist…we know our bodies better than anyone else. We may not know what tests or evaluation methods are available, but we do know that it is our responsibility to ask!
As always very good advice. Glad upu are feeling better.
Excellent advice. And so sorry you had to deal with a frightening health incident, once again.
Excellent advice.
I am so sorry you had to, once again, experience a frightening health event.
I am so sorry you had to deal with this. Sharing your stories so important and we all learn from it. Had you are doing better!
Glad that you are feeling better .. I don’t even know the name of the gastorologist that did my initial stoma surgery … is your doctor in Fl or NJ… I guess I could ask my new oncologist to check back in the records
so very sorry you had to deal with this. Your message is so true, go that extra mile when you have a gut feeling. And as you said ever be afraid to get another opinion. God Bless you and hoping and praying you will continue to recoop oxo u
I had no idea that you have not been feeling well. Thank Gd you are better now. Sending you love and hugs.
You amaze me more each time I read another email from you. The most amazing part in this email to me was the fact that from such a difficult experience that you were able to find some POSITIVES that came from your cramping and blockage. Please stay as happy and healthy as possible, and have a FUNtastic week!!!
Lonnie
So glad to hear that you are back to health . scary when you are going through all the testing. Being assertive is so important , We don’t give enough credence when we talk about communicating with your Dr.
Takes perseverence and courage to not cave in the moment . So Glad to hear you are feeling better. Don’t ever give in to
what you need.
Ellyn- I am so glad you have begun feeling better and let’s hope that is on the other side of any issues you might have. I too have my gastroenterologist do a sigmoidoscopy once a year to check my rectum as well and so far so good. The last time he told me I could probably stay awake while he did it and it would not hurt. He was wrong. It did hurt and I was not happy about that at all. 😮
My surgeon was the one that told me to have it checked yearly as in his words he said “the rectum is a dark scary place” – so for sure I will not ever not have it checked out on a yearly basis .
So glad you’re feeling better!! 😘
Praying for you. I’m getting ready to see colorectal surgeon this month. The pain sometimes is unbearable. Hopefully I can get some answers.
Sounds like it was quite a seige! Sorry you took so long to heal, but thankfully
you did. And, as always, you take your personal challenge , grow from it, and share the learning with others. You’re so special, Ellyn. Stay well. Miss you❣️
Ellyn, That was a close call. Glad the outcome was exactly what you needed to hear.
Paul and Eileen Rust
Oh, Ellen!
What a todo again. My heart goes out to you and thank goodness it is over!!!
Sending you extra strength!
Judy
You are w/o a doubt an absolutely amazing gal who not only takes control of dire situations but your genuine care about others. I can’t begin to tell you how special it was to me for your concern for my son.
I remember those days, but since my Ostomy surgery, I very seldom go through that horror now! So glad you have a positive attitude. Love and hugs, Mary Ann