I am new here, and facing surgery...
#52687 - 03/21/04 08:39 AM
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gigi
Reged: 03/21/04
Posts: 1442
Loc: South Texas
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Hi everyone, I have had IBS since I was 15, age now is 47. I have found life again since reading Heathers books. Wow what a difference they have made for me. Thanks for the info about the equalactin, Walmart pharmacy will order it for you if you ask. Now, about my surgery. I have a prolapsed bowel, a very embarrasing thing to have happened, though I hear it happens more than one might think, people just dont like to talk about it. But, I NEED to talk about it. It can be caused from childbirth, or just age, you know how our bodies wear out from age?  My surgery date is March 25. I am ready and psyched up for it, but, I am worried about hospital food. I dont want my first bowel movement to be diahrea, I am afraid it could cause me more problems. Should I take my fiber supplement with me? I take Konsyl, I find that I get more fiber grams per dose than other supplements. I dont know what to do. If any one has been through this, or has suggestions, I would appreciate it. Thanks and I will be waiting. Have a great day!!!
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I would call the hospital your staying at and tell them you have food intolerance . See if they can work with you on finding safe food you can eat. I would talk to your Doc. about the fiber. He would know best if thats ok after the type of surgery your having. That way you will know for sure! And maybe you could have someone bring you food if the hospital food is to bad.
Good luck and welcome to the boards! 
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Thanks for the reply Steph! Where is my brain? When I went to the hospital for my pre-op, the dietician was not there. I will call her in the morning and I know she will help me work it out. I have been so stressed about this surgery that I have not been thinking clearly. Sometimes two heads are better than one. Hope you have a great week!!
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Oh... your just busy thinking about other things! 
I agree sometimes 2 heads are better than one!!!
Take care and good luck this Thursday!
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Well it looks like Steph helped you figure out what to do about the dietary problem. So, I just want to welcome you to the boards. I'm fairly new here myself, but I really took a quick liking to the people here. They're very helpful and you can ask anything at all! Heather's diet has saved me, too. It's like a miracle!
I'd be worried about the same things you're worried about. Maybe you could talk with your Doctor about some of your worries. He/she might be able to put you at ease. I don't have any personal experience to rely on for your situation, but I can offer my support and concern. It sounds like you're preparing yourself really well for your surgery and I'm sure that will help you in a lot of ways!
Good luck and Keep in Touch!
Terri
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Thanks Terri, I really needed to see a reply and a nice one came from you. I am trying to be as positive as possible, but, I know how painful an abdominal incicison is and I am dreading it. I should be so ashamed of myself, there are so many people with larger problems. I feel really alone right now, I have a great support system, everyone has offered help in many different ways. My husband is doing the man thing, he cant fix it, so he is working overtime and doesnt have much to say right now. I really need him to be his sweet self and nest with me, honestly, I dont see that happening. It hurts, I cant make him understand, and this is causing me anxiety I dont need right now. When the time comes, he will be there for me, but right now I feel abandoned. Dang those men and their backward ways! Enough whinning, tomorrow is another day and my best freind is coming over to steam clean my carpet. How did I get that lucky!!!!! HOpe to hear from you soon!! Thanks again!
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Gigi,
How are you today? You shouldn't feel ashamed of yourself at all! I would definitely say that what you're facing IS one of those larger problems you mentioned! My heart goes out to you completely! It is very hard to stay positive, but keep working at it anyway. Little things can throw me out of balance and what you're going through certainly isn't little; so you are entitled to all the so called "whining" you want! (Although I'd call it talking about it and expressing your fears and emotions.) I can't understand everything about men either. My husband is one of the emotional ones, so I have to be the strong one. He's disabled so I'm not really comfortable talking to him about my problems. He can't handle it when I'm sick. He falls apart. I bet your husband is really worried about you and he's having a hard time dealing with it. Darn't though, I know what you mean about needing them and they're not there. When I was feeling weak and scared, I found this board. Wow, how wonderful. I could say whatever I wanted to, and everyone was so helpful. And, nobody got scared or scared me. No, they had helpful and uplifting advice that relieved my fears. There's nothing too little to talk about here, gigi. Try to concentrate on yourself right now, and baby yourself. Have you been able to talk to your husband about how you feel? Sometimes, that's so hard, because it can be a risk that can cause more frustration; right when you don't need it. I hope your day today is brighter. Wow, now everyone needs a friend that will clean our carpets? Does she need a Kansas girlfriend? Ha, ha. I know I couldn't be that lucky, too!
I'll be thinking of you, gigi,
Till next time,
Terri
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Men and Feelings
#52894 - 03/22/04 06:40 AM
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Bevvy
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 5918
Loc: Northwest Washington State
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I don't know why it is, but men just have a hard time with stuff like this. It sounds to me like your hubby is hurting inside, and this is (typically) how he handles it.
I used to think my hubby buried his head in the sand. Not so. It was his way of dealing with the pain. And talking about it is like making the issue become a reality, bringing it to light and dealing with it -- UH UH! If they pretend it's not happening, then all's well. They just don't realize we're the exact opposite. You're right -- he'll come around in time.
Surgery is scary for anyone, and you have every right to be anxious. You can vent and whine here anytime you want Girlfriend!
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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You can tell the hospital staff and what you can eat and can't. They are really good about it. Plus the sugery that you are going to have the hospital will be putting you on a high fiber diet. You can phone and set up the diet today and make sure everything is fine.
Good luck
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Re: Surgery
#52922 - 03/22/04 07:36 AM
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suzyq
Reged: 05/22/03
Posts: 630
Loc: Northern Ont. Canada
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Hi Gigi, hope your fears a little less today? I agree with the others,call the hospital about your diet. and yes men can make you wonder, but I'm sure he is just as scared as you are and doesn't quite know hoe to show you. My husband does'nt verbally show his emotions but his actions speak for himself. Saying " Action speaks louder than words".
About your Prolaspsed rectum; I have UC/IBS. I thought I had prolapsed rectum as well. Seen 2 Dr.s and they believe it is Internal Hemorroids. I have too push this "mass" back up into my rectum every time I have a bm.Also alot of bleeding;but this bleeding also goes with UC. How were you diagnosed for Prolapsed Rectum and how do they "fix" it with surgery? I will be thinking of you on the 25th . Take care Sue
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I am very new here myself, but all the people are so helpful and so caring. I will be praying for your surgery to be successful and for all the drs. and nurses to be compassionate. I have found in my experience that the hospital's pre-op procedure includes asking you about diet and any restrictions you may have. They are usually very understanding. Your anxiety is very normal, and I will also pray that you will be comforted. God bless you, and let us know how you are.
ChucksKat
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hi Sue. Thanks so much for the reassurance, I cant tell you how good it makes me feel. Actually, I have a prolapsed bowel, I didnt make myself clear on that  . What you explain sound exactly like my symptoms. What happens is, the muscles in your rectum just cant do their job anymore (this can happen from childbirth, or as we age our body parts just give out and need to be repaired)and the bowel (intestine) creeps down into your rectum. That is the mass you are pushing back inside. Believe me, I have been doing the same thing for 5 years. I have lived with this because I didnt want to face it, and I also didnt want to inconvenience my family. I have a great supportive family and circle of friends. That is just the way I am, I always put myself last, not a good thing. Anyway, have you been to a top of his field colorectal surgeon? If not, then go to one asap. He, or she, will be able to tell you exactly what the problem is, and if it is hemorrhoids, I think that surgery is much easier than what I am facing. When I went in for my exam, the nurse took me to the bathroom, I sat on the commode (they do it this way, because so many people are incontinant, it just avoids the mess) and the doc came in and told me to lean over as far as I could, he then did a rectal exam, and knew right away what it was. They somehow pull up the intestine, (people without IBS usually have some intestine removed, those with it dont, I dont exactly know why), and attach it to the back bone. At least that is what a well meaning person explained to me, she had had it done.
In my case I have also lost control of my internal and external sphyincter(sp). The DR. says that the nerves that control these muscles have been burdened by the prolapsed intestine, and hopefully in time I will regain use of those muscles. Right now, I am on my second day of liquid diet, last night I drank the citrate of magnesium, I could not hold it in because of these sphyincter muscles. So, I had to stay in the bathroom for a couple of hours to keep from spraying it all over the place. This is just so disgusting and the main reason I went to the surgeon, when he told me the bowel was coming out, I just about died, I totally glazed over and if it werent for my hubby, I would have no idea what I am having surgery for.  Anyway girl, I am thinking about you too, I hope you get to a good doc soon! You have to have one who knows what he is doing, if they mess it up, you will have bigger problems. Please pray for me, I will be in the hospital 5-7 days, and as soon as I can sit down (this is abdominal surgery) I will be back here to tell you all you want to know! I dont want to frighten you about this, I just want people to be honest with me, and that is what I give to you! You dont have to suffer, and you need to know EXACTLY what your problem is.
Thanks for caring. gigi
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Bevrs, you are so right! He is coming around, right now, he is immersing himself in the income tax, normally my job, and I have it all finished, but he thinks he has to go over it, which is a good thing. I love him, he is a good man. But, he is a man! I will be in the hospital 5-7 days, when I come home, I will be back to tell you all how bad it hurt!! I am sometimes a weinie! Thanks girl!
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