Reversal a success (although a little late posting)

[tmm903]

Everything has been running quite smoothly since my takedown on 10/11. I was in for 4 days (came home on the 14th). Thank heavens for the percocet because they have been a big help!! Although they do cause a bit of constipation--but thats what the dulcolax is for. I have been going to the bathroom on average about 5x's a day. Not too bad. Following the low residue diet for awhile and slowly adding in some fibrous things. The stoma spot feels good going back to normal. While in the hospital it was as most of you said--uneventful. I was up walking the next day--and alot of it as I had a really annoying male nurse. He had energy so I guess he assumed I did too LOL. Sorry, no energy here when I was just given pain meds and now you went me to walk??? I think not! Getting around good though at home. Not doing anything strenuous yet---getting up and moving around and on certain days walk out to the bus stop to get my son. I am so glad that I had all the input that I did from all of you. Can't wait for both sites to be healed so that I can sleep on my stomach again--this back sleeping is for the birds! Hope everyone is doing well.

[BrownBagger]

My stoma site wasn't stapled shut, so I had to apply a wet dressing twice a day. After about a month, it was all healed over.

Eat what you like in moderation, but pay attention to what you eat so that you can avoid the stuff that causes problems.

Sounds like you're off to a fantastic start. I'm with the male nurse in the hospital--keep moving.

[nicola smith]

excellent news. Green Mountain Girl has just had her takedown surgery too according to her posting on another board. I am following all of you reversal types closely (well, not too closely!) as I am looking at having an ileo takedown next Spring. Thanks for posting.

[CRguy]

Continued success with the new plumbing Tracy, sounds good so far !

Cheers
CRguy

[adina91]

Oh I am so glad everything went well and you posted! I was wondering how you were doing. Here's to good post reversal experiences for the both of us!

[joeyooser]

Glad to hear it's going well - I followed the low residue diet for a while too and I think it did make the transition easier. My low residue consisted of a lot of ice cream. Nice to treat yourself during recovery.

Enjoy!

[nicola smith]

oops - I meant Green Lake Girl!

[Terry]

It sounds like things went really well for you, I'm so glad. I've never had to go through any of that but I still like to see it when you guys have positive outcomes.

[karin]

Love to hear the word uneventful in the context of a hospital stay!! I hope your entire recovery goes smoothly....keep moving, it's good for you!

Luv and hugs,
Karin

[patricia]

thanks for posting. could you keep up posting on your progress? I am 6 months out from my reversal, (just did #6 of 12 Folfox today) but am having what I think is called diversion colitis - mucus, bloody looking liquid and stuff that smells a little like poop coming out my butt. It is freaking me out and it is a horrible physical problem every time I stand up for the last 3 days. My surgeon emailed me (clinic is not close to home) and said this is nothing to be alarmed about. Well, he doesn't feel like he has 10 pounds of rocks laying in his rectum pressing against the sphincter muscle. I am now so scared that this is what I will feel like all the time when I have the reversal. My oncologist seems a little more concerned than the surgeon, but he seems pretty calm about it. Please let me know what a normal reversal feels like and what it feels like to begin with a 'new' normal. thanks. I'm scared. Patricia

[tmm903]

Well, my new "normal" granted its been only about 3 weeks, seems to be pretty good. On average I go about 4 times a day. I am following the low residue diet still. Ihaven't eaten anything that has caused any problems. I have cereal generally for breakfast, some form of Chex cereal or cheerios. Haven't really ventured into too much fiber yet, other than the fruit from the low res diet and fruit juices. My sister is a nurse and she says that will help me to stay regular. So I am doing something right along the way here LOL I was very worried before having the preocedure done because I was not ready to be going to the bathroom 10 times a day just to poop! But I feel pretty confident with the way things are going and will be changing my rsvp to my 20th high school reunion--I plan on attending now that I know my system is working better than I had thought it would.

I have been moving around quite a bit in the house---not a whole lot I'm allowed to do as of yet so I walk around the house and do some walking outside as long as the weather has been nice here. I finally got rid of the hospital bed that we got from my initial surgery in January. I slept in a regular bed last night and it felt good. Took a bit of adjusting to get comfy, but I managed and slept quite well. I will keep posting through this.

[tmm903]

Well, my new "normal" granted its been only about 3 weeks, seems to be pretty good. On average I go about 4 times a day. I am following the low residue diet still. Ihaven't eaten anything that has caused any problems. I have cereal generally for breakfast, some form of Chex cereal or cheerios. Haven't really ventured into too much fiber yet, other than the fruit from the low res diet and fruit juices. My sister is a nurse and she says that will help me to stay regular. So I am doing something right along the way here LOL I was very worried before having the preocedure done because I was not ready to be going to the bathroom 10 times a day just to poop! But I feel pretty confident with the way things are going and will be changing my rsvp to my 20th high school reunion--I plan on attending now that I know my system is working better than I had thought it would.

I have been moving around quite a bit in the house---not a whole lot I'm allowed to do as of yet so I walk around the house and do some walking outside as long as the weather has been nice here. I finally got rid of the hospital bed that we got from my initial surgery in January. I slept in a regular bed last night and it felt good. Took a bit of adjusting to get comfy, but I managed and slept quite well. I will keep posting through this.