Finally feeling human again

I wanted to thank you guys for the love and support following my surgery.  I've had a few difficulties with dehydration, pain and diarrhea.  As you all know from personal experience, it's tough to drink the fluids when you're nauseated.  I've had to take a few Zofran pills to help control nausea.  I've also had 3+ bouts of diarrhea each day since Friday.  I've taken immodium for that but the doc's pa told me not to take that and that they'd give me antibiotics on Thursday when they see me.  As I put on my previous "adviice" thread,  my doc had to cut out scar tissue from my bout with pancreatitis for about 20 minutes and he put a drain in my stomach.  It's been the cause of some pain but I was able to get 5 hours of uninterrupted sleep last night followed by morning meds and another 3 hours.  I feel much better today and am trying to drink, drink, drink,  as you guys suggest. 

Couple questions - is the diarrhea just a given?  I think it's important to control that to not lose any more fluids, but like I said the pa said not to take anything for it.  Also, how long were you guys off of work?   I thought I would be out for about 7 days including weekend, but my doc wants me to stay out until this coming Monday, which would be 2 weeks.

Many thanks,

Laura

I felt likje it got better every day! I had a solid bowel movement after day 12 or so. It has been all uphill from there. Sip Sip sip anyway you can  keep hydrated, mush easier than having to come back from dehydration.
I was back to work exactly 14 day after surgery. Good Luck!
Zofran should help you get a good nights sleep!

Liquids in, liquids out is the best answer I can come up with. I know it's not fun, but each day gets better

I took 2.5 weeks off from work. I wish I could have taken another week off, but it was unpaid leave for me.

It does get better each day.  As far as the diarrhea is concerned...a few things.  A) if they used a dye to check for leaks, it's probably coming out now.  B)  Like Julia said - liquids in liquids out.  You are on liquids right now....so that's all your bowels are gonna produce. 

As a precaution - I would ask your doctor WHY he is putting you on antibiotics - but that is just me.  I'm very against giving antibiotics "just in case".  I'd want a culture of the stool and/or bloodwork before I allowed that.  I only say that because we have created super bugs like MRSA by giving antibiotics to people who don't need them and allowing the bugs to figure out a way around it.  That is TOTALLY just my humble opinion and people disagree with me and have every right too.  By no means am I telling you to go against your doctor if you trust him and his instincts about the diarrhea.

Glad you got some sleep - that definately helps.  Keep on sippin!

Hello,

 Ive been thinking of you and wondering how you are doing.  Sounds like it all went well for you and im hoping each day will get even better for you.  Wishing you all the best and hope to hear from you sooon.  Take care and could you also tell me what kind of protein shakes you deceided to go with and if you like them.  Thanks!!

take care and just take it one day at a time!

 

roberta