Cheers to piss and vinegar! Even in a post describing how tired you are and how daunting the plan feels, your fighting spirit shines through over and over again. The "unknown" is scary, but it sounds like you have a great team beside you in your husband and doctors. I think your husband's ...

I've basically been a hermit since my reversal because of the unpredictability of my bowel movements. Some days are okay with only 3-4 trips to the bathroom while others require 10-15 trips and I never know until the day is over which it will be. So I stay near my toilet where it's safe except for m...

" to get off my duff" Sigh. Why does my last name have to mean ass?? Is it just a coincidence? I think not. :lol: Or it can also mean Designated Ugly Fat Friend so maybe ass is better?? I'm glad you got out for a walk. Walking, and just getting outside, helps me mentally as well as physic...

Karen.. You are one of a kind. I've read many of your posts here and at the UOAA Forum and the advice you give is not only high quality but always very respectfull and reassuring. I'm very thankfull for having you answer this insecurities and making my day much better. Thank you! Love, Ana First of...

Saw my oncologist today for my 4 month checkup. He's doing iron studies and thyroid tests to try to figure out why I still feel so tired and lousy. If nothing shows up on those, he wants me to see my GP and have him run some autoimmune, lyme disease, etc. tests. Whatever. While I was there, I remind...

I have been drinking Benefiber in my coffee in the morning and in an evening cup of decaf. I don't taste it at all and it isn't gritty. It has helped some to bulk up my stools and make my visits less frequent. I also have problems with fruit and veggies which I use to love. I ate a couple raw baby c...

As a writer, I am seldom at a loss for words, but I clicked reply and then just stared at the empty white space for a long time, What can anyone say that would ease the pain of such a devastating tragedy? All I can say is that I'm so, so sorry for all that you've had to suffer and I hope you know th...

Mine wasn't from the radiation. I had a total abdominal hysterectomy in 2006 for ovarian cancer so that sent me into instant menopause. I had the hot flashes pretty intensely for about a year and then they started to taper off. People think it's no big deal, just feeling warm for a couple minutes, b...

I had an open LAR with a temp ileostomy. I had to be cut from above belly button to groin because of adhesions. The surgery was Wednesday morning and I was discharged Friday morning. I was originally told I would be in until Monday at least. This was my fifth abdominal surgery. Some people don't min...

Thanks for the replies. Just an update--Steve is still doing well on the Opdivo. He was scanned again last week and no new growth and no new nodules. He feels well and hasn't had any negative side effects. Miss Molly (Karen), I'm sorry for all you and your family have gone through. It's frustrating ...

Hi Judy, You're still really early since your surgery, and it does take time to find the right routine. I will preface that I didn't have a reversal, as I didn't have a temp ileo - but I can tell you it was some rough times after surgery. Part of it is just time. I'm 4 years out and I think I do pr...

Just an update--I decided to try Benefiber since it isn't gritty and doesn't thicken. And it has helped somewhat. I started by drinking it with my morning coffee, but found that made me spend part of my afternoon or early evening in the bathroom. I've now moved to drinking it before I go to bed and ...

Wanna hear another frustrating story? Talking about the hospital sending you a form for the wrong cancer, how about the hospital sending you a form telling you that you have cancer when the doctor said you didn't?? :shock: I had a total hysterectomy in 2006 because they found masses in both ovaries....

So happy that your recovery from your reversal is going so well! I hope things just continue to get better and better for you. While I'm not where I want to be yet, some things have improved a lot since those early days. During that first month or two, my bottom was insanely sore from all the cluste...

Sorry for what both you and your mom are going through. Cancer sucks and can affect so many parts of your life and the lives of those who love you. It's no wonder you are stressed out. The digestive system is complex and can be affected by a lot of different things. No one here can tell you if your ...