1. < Digestive Health

Diverticulitis and now going to have a Sigmoid colon resection

Posted by linda82 @linda82, Jan 16 5:34pm

I have had 4 occurrences this past year treated with antibiotics and Mesalamine ER and now getting ready for surgery. This last occurrence I ended up in the ER and was lucky the abscess was small enough to treat with antibiotics and liquid diet.
I have been on low fiber diet and Mesalamine. The Mesalamine has been great but very hard to find and go form one CVS to another to find stock. (it is not being manufactured right now and insurance will not pay for it) I also to do not want to be on this the rest of my life or until another occurrence when it will be an emergency surgery. Right now all my blood work is great and back to normal and MRI and CT scans have been completed.
I just can't handle another episode of this and will be 60 yrs old this year. I am retired and all episodes happened after vacation and do not want to live in fear of going anywhere! I am in good health and do not take any other meds.
I am curious of others that have gone through this surgery and get helpful insight on what to expect.
Surgery will be in March and will be robotic.
Thanks in advance.

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speedbird | @speedbird | Apr 4 10:59am

So sorry you are having issues following surgery. Unfortunately this type of surgery does present a high risk for infection. Recovery will take a bit longer with open vs laparoscopic. The urgency for BMs will continue for sometime, it took me many weeks before I had confidence to leave the house. you are in my thoughts and prayers. Stay strong and keep a positive attitude. If you don’t mind me asking was the surgery done at Mayo Clinic?

REPLY
linda82 | @linda82 | Apr 5 7:32am

Thank you. I wish there was more information on recovery but, everyone is so different.
The last 2 days have been better. I really have to eat small portions to not feel so full. I also have to drink more. The blood is not as bad and seem to have more normal looking BM's but soft. I am still on low fiber diet. I also started using my infrared sauna / light walking more and it seems to help with relaxing and mental well-being.
It is weird not to have hungry. I started back taking multi vitamins, 2 chewable 500 mg C's and B12, B6 and folic acid for energy. And I have been able to eat my yogurt now without bloating! I consider it one of my meals with a banana (I put a zinc capsule and a probiotic in it too) I added small applesauce as another small snack.
I make sure and have an egg and my husband's homemade white bread and a pce pf bacon for breakfast. Lunch is usually grilled chicken breast with noodle pasta.
The last 2 days I was also able to do some house chores and felt good about that and no naps!
I did not have surgery at the Mayo clinic. I did have one of the best Dr's in my area.
I think the other issues were hopefully just a fluke. Which I will get checked on Monday.
Today I have my normal dentist cleaning appt. and hoping to feel comfortable enough to go after to get some flowers to plant. Being outside and working in the yard is my "drug"
Speaking of drugs. I think I may have had 3 Tylenol this week which is great!

REPLY
1 reply
speedbird | @speedbird | Apr 6 7:26am
In reply to @linda82 "Thank you. I wish there was more information on recovery but, everyone is so different. The..." + (show)
@linda82

Thank you. I wish there was more information on recovery but, everyone is so different.
The last 2 days have been better. I really have to eat small portions to not feel so full. I also have to drink more. The blood is not as bad and seem to have more normal looking BM's but soft. I am still on low fiber diet. I also started using my infrared sauna / light walking more and it seems to help with relaxing and mental well-being.
It is weird not to have hungry. I started back taking multi vitamins, 2 chewable 500 mg C's and B12, B6 and folic acid for energy. And I have been able to eat my yogurt now without bloating! I consider it one of my meals with a banana (I put a zinc capsule and a probiotic in it too) I added small applesauce as another small snack.
I make sure and have an egg and my husband's homemade white bread and a pce pf bacon for breakfast. Lunch is usually grilled chicken breast with noodle pasta.
The last 2 days I was also able to do some house chores and felt good about that and no naps!
I did not have surgery at the Mayo clinic. I did have one of the best Dr's in my area.
I think the other issues were hopefully just a fluke. Which I will get checked on Monday.
Today I have my normal dentist cleaning appt. and hoping to feel comfortable enough to go after to get some flowers to plant. Being outside and working in the yard is my "drug"
Speaking of drugs. I think I may have had 3 Tylenol this week which is great!

Jump to this post

Hey linda82 sounds like things have taken a turn in the right direction. Good news! Stay active and don’t overdo it! Stay in touch and provide updates from time to time!

REPLY
linda82 | @linda82 | Apr 14 12:36pm

Update
Tomorrow will be 5 wks since surgery.
I am still tired a lot. Mornings are not painful but, many BM's where I feel pressure. I have started taking 2 Advil in the morning to see if that helps.
I have noticed that to get my energy I go in the sun or in the infrared sauna for 20 mins @ 120F and it gives me more energy and well-being. Once I do that, I have been just doing some light stretching, recumbent bike and some light arm weights. I then try to get outside and do a little gardening and feel like I am accomplishing something!
Food is still light and get full fast. I have to make myself eat because I am not hungry. I also have to make myself DRINK More!
I am feeling better like being out of a "fog"
I have lost a lot of weight and I do not like the way my skin looks. Which I know I have to get back more into exercise. I will go back to the Dr. this week and hoping since my incisions look good, I can get back in the pool!
As for the Fluke I did go see my OBGYN and had the ultrasound that showed my uterus lining was at a point of thickening that I needed a biopsy. That attempt did not work. (past cervical cancer) I have decided to proceed with the DNC and biopsy. At least I will be put asleep.

REPLY
linda82 | @linda82 | Apr 14 5:55pm

I forgot. I have been having pain in belly area around incision the feels hard to the touch.
Does anyone else have this pain and does it go away?

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