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My saga began several years ago when I started having stomach problems caused by Diverticular Disease.  Painful episodes were relieved with antibiotics and laxatives occasionally, plus I had regular check-ups and CT scans at hospital.  Eventually though, 15 months ago, I was in a serious condition and was admitted to QMC for an operation to remove a section of Bowel.  When I woke up in the Recovery Ward I was surprised, and to be honest very upset, to discover I'd now got a Colostomy.  All of a sudden my life had changed.  Ok, no more pain but a stoma bag to deal with. I was determined from Day 1 that I was getting it reversed as soon as possible 

I coped ok with my bag which I christened Gucci, because every girl should have a designer bag. What I did struggle with was excruciating sciatica for several months after the operation, even going to see a back consultant about it, who informed me I had a (bulging) slipped disc, probably not helped by being thrown around in theatre, the mind boggles doesn't it?

My accessory didn't really stop me doing things and I was proud of myself in January this year when I went parasailing over the Pacific Ocean in Costa Rica. 

A few months ago I went off to see my consultant to discuss a stoma reversal. He did try to dissuade me, insisting that I had a 'nice stoma' and I looked and felt well. His words didn't matter to me, I didn't want this thing for the rest of my life and I was booked in for my operation on 27th July.  

The day arrived, the operation was successful and I woke up in Recovery Ward again with a belly held together with 58 staples, very similar to 14 months earlier, same scar too.  I was on Ward E14 again, just like last time, they even remembered me which was nice. 

An interesting few days on the ward, and a very strange few hours one day when a homeless person arrived by the empty bed next to me. Dear me, she stank, sat there demanding sandwiches and tea, kept nipping out for a fag and refused to go and shower. Jeez, it made me feel sick! She sat there in chatty clothes all afternoon until a similar looking bloke turned up, they went off and she never returned.  I was quite relieved to be honest!! 

I was discharged after 6 days, felt ok, still rather fragile and hardly an appetite but I hadn't been to the loo, I had no idea if my join was working! 

5 days later I went to my local surgery to get the staples removed and mentioned to the GP that I still hadn't been to the loo. She prescribed a laxative.  Well .......... it worked too damn well, I thought I was going to die, I honestly did.  I tolerated the consequences of the laxative for about 36 hours at home but then was brought back into QMC last Wednesday in a dire state.  

I was put into a General Admissions ward side room with my own commode. They thought I might have a hospital bug so I was in sort of isolation. 

Next day I was moved to F57, a  Gastroenterology ward, again in a side room with me potty! 

They were trying to get me closer to E14, the Colorectal Surgical ward but a side room still wasn't available so I'm now in E16, a Vascular Ward with lots of amputees so I have great sympathy for Gem's daughter, very sad. 

For 6 days now I've been receiving IV and tablet antibiotics, had an X-ray and a CT scan. The scan showed that I have inflammation around the new join in my Bowel. This morning the consultant told me that the antibiotics are working and hopefully I can be discharged at the end of the week without further surgery. There was mention the other day that I may end up with another stoma!!!

On my tour around the Queens Medical Centre, 5 different wards in 6 days,  I've met some really lovely nurses, all of them so happy to make my stay comfortable.  I would say that 75% are from the Far East, I doubt the NHS could cope without recruiting from the other side of the World.   

Just wish the food was more palatable, it's so awful and doesn't help poorly people get their appetite back. 

Right then, hope my husband turns up soon with some nice things to tempt my taste buds.  

 

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Keep your chin up Lizzie, and stay positive. It's nice to hear that our much maligned NHS is seeing you through this very difficult time.

Get some good appetising food inside you and build your strength up, ready for a full recovery. Well done, you're very brave. thumbsup

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I doubt if you'll find another post - or blog - quite like that anywhere else on the internet. All the technical details explained in a way everyone can understand, but without upsetting the squeamish. It deserves to be in a category of its own.

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Blimey Lizzie, you are really going through some procedures with an amazingly phlegmatic and stoical attitude to it all. As with everyone else here I wish you the best for your rapid and successful return to full health. Your wonderfully positive attitude will definitely get you there!  Keep smiling and I hope that your husband arrives with some suitably tempting goodies.

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Lizzie, you deserve a medal the size of a dustbin lid! Brave, brave lady. There isn't a cream cake on the planet big enough for you...and if there is, Carni has probably scoffed it!

 

Chin up. You'll get there. We are all thinking of you.  ;)

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Lizzie my duck,you aint half been thru the Mill gel.........but with your resilience and fortitude you gonna come out shouting........i'm gonna live forever (song please carnie) We will have to meet up Lizzie..........you with your Gucci bag and me with me Gucci shoes.......dance madam ?........all the best me dear.............

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Thanks everyone, you're all so kind and supportive.  When faced with my situation anyone would have to deal with it bravely, or die ........ as apparently would have been the case 15 months ago if I hadn't had the colostomy operation.  I actually had a blockage in my Bowel.  Unfortunately there is always risk with any surgery, we after all have to sign a consent form before an op don't we?  The thing is though, when they tell you that 10% of these procedures go wrong you never ever think you're going to be in that small percentage.  

I'll be fine, I'm in the right place and I have a room with a view (QMC Main Entrance!!).  Got a tad noisy at midnight last night when some drunken female started kicking off down there. In fact it's amazing how many odd people I see being escorted off the premises.  

I'll look forward to seeing you all again soon.  

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benj, I'm gonna learn how to fly. High. I feel it coming together. People will see me and cry!!!! FAME!:rolleyes:

 

Lizzie, you have all us Nottstalgians  behind you (Scarey Thought). Get well soon Miduck, look forward to seeing you at a meetup perhaps later in the year.:Friends:

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Lizzie just come on to nosey. I'm pleased you feel comfortable enough to put your ordeal on NS. You have a lot of friends on here that you will be in their  thoughts and they all wish you the best.

If your husband doesn't bring you any decent goodies come down and we' ll feed you up. 

I repeat all the other comments and hope you dont have to stay there to much longer. A big hug xx

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Oh dear Lizzie you have really been going though it and you are being very brave putting it 

all down in writing, your sence of humour at a time like this is great.

Keep pecking away miduck.x 

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  • 1 month later...

Well it’s 10 weeks today since I had my big stoma reversal operation and then a few days later the subsequent return to QMC with an infection around the ‘join’.  I’ve been doing well in my recovery, getting stronger, eating well and gaining a few pounds but still would prefer to put on another stone as I feel too thin.  

On Monday I had a second follow-up appointment with my consultant, he was pleased to see me looking well then said ‘Get on the couch Lizzie, I want to look at your join’.  Well there’s only one way he could do that, it doesn’t take much imagination, and it hurt believe me!  The outcome of that little investigation is that I’ve got to go into hospital (The Park this time, at great expense!) on 24th October to have it stretched because during the healing process it has shrunk. I will be given a general anaesthetic because it would hurt too much without.   But I’ll be in and out same day. 

A couple of years ago I never dreamt I’d have to go through all this, you never know what’s round the corner.  However I’m a lucky one, there are lots of folk struggling with illnesses, my little blip is nothing by comparison. 

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Don't really want to 'like' your post, cos it's not good you have to have the procedure done later this month, but know I'm thinking of you. See you soon. Getting excited now.

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Lizzie, so sorry you have to have yet another procedure.  It's good that you are eating a bit better, though.  Obviously we'll be thinking and praying for a successful outcome for you xx

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All the best for the future treatment Lizzie, you deserve it for all you've endured.

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Chin up, Lizzie! You're made of sterling stuff and we're all thinking of you. Hope everything goes well and you'll soon be celebrating down at the cream cake shop...if Carni hasn't scoffed em all....again! :rolleyes:

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