Chew...Chew...Chew....

What a bad night.... I got home from the Carroll County Support Group last night and needed to eat.   I decided I was going to do some Tuna with a handful of low fat Cheez-Its.    Since I wasn't thrilled about the tuna, I started with the Cheez-Its.   I ate about 4 or 5 and suddenly started to get a little pain all the way down below my navel.    Being the good patient I stopped eating immediately.    Too late.   The pain became severe quickly.   I started walking and doing all the little things I do when something "sticks" in my pouch.   The problem was, this was too low to be in my pouch.  It also hurt way more than other things that have stuck in the past.  About 11pm, my wife decided to call the Dr and after a few questions, she said to go to the hospital.   Long story short, I spent the night in the ER getting a CT Scan, blood work, poked and prodded.   In the end they decided that I had not chewed one of the crackers enough.  Strangely, it went through my stoma and stuck, they believe sideways, at the Y junction.    This would explain the lower pain.  They think that the small amount of fluid they made me drink combined with the intial abdominal exam (poking and prodding by the ER Doctor) dislodged the obstruction.    Oh well...rough night, but nothing really wrong.   It just re-enforces my obsession with chewing!  Hope your night was better than mine! :-)

Dave That is horrible! I am so sorry to hear you had such a rough night!  I went home and needed to eat, and thought about how well you do with the shakes, and made myself one. Talk about role reversal!    Glad to hear it has dis-lodged and you are ok!   Chew Chew Chew! Caryn Oh, and by the way, another successful meeting, and it was great seeing everyone again!

David,   glad to hear that it was just the cracker.... I guess you will chew chew  chew from now on. I've never had that happen to me. Knock on Wood.... Ellie

Wow,,some scary stuff. Glad you are okay. I know we are suppose to eat without liquids, but logic suggests moisture might soften up some of the dry stuff we consume. Even if its a small sip? Mark, who will now chew his meal replacement drinks before he swallows

Mark - Probably one of THE most important things you can do eternally post-op is NOT drink anything with your meals.  Initially, per DVR's instructions, I stopped 30 minutes prior, nothing during and nothing for 30 minutes after.  Now, I drink right up until the time I eat, nothing during and nothing for 30 minutes after.  Of all of those, not drinking immediately after is the hardest for me, but I've been incredibly diligent about it.   As far as moisture on the dry stuff, as a mechanic, you and I have talked about lube - salsa, tomato sauce, sour cream, ranch dressing, etc.  Trust me, it all helps.  There's nothing like a little lube to help things on their way.  As I like to say, "It's all about the lube!" Also, a hint for you - even now, since I don't drink afterward, I suck on s/f sour Breathsavers, they come in round tins, and the sour ones make my mouth water, and help me get through those 30 minutes after. Tia

Mark, Tia is 100% correct.   No drinking with your meals.    Most of us learn this the hard way.   Notice, when I started having trouble, I immediately stopped eating and never even dreamed of drinking anything.   This is a learned behavior from experiences over the last 6 months.  The only reason I drank the water was because the ER Dr insisted on it.    If you get something like a cracker in your pouch and then you drink it will swell.   If you are feeling bad because you are full or have a temp blockage, if you drink it only makes it worse.   I mean it makes it REALLY BAD! Soft and creamy is good...adding liquid to things that absorb water is bad.    Listen to your Dr's...and to your friend Tia and things will be good.     My experience, last night,  just shows that even 6 months out, your new tool will let you know if you are doing something wrong!   Use the tool...follow the rules and you will be fine!

Oh, David, I'm sooooo sorry.  Been there, done that, never went to the ER, though!!  I did find myself making deals with God and eventually praying to just freakin' die.  Heather Mod-i told me that Kelli P. calls it "food induced heart attack," and I know you'll attest that she's right.   Fortunately, everything turned out okay for you, and I'm so glad, but I'm sorry you had to go through it!!   Tia

Oh Dave!! I'm sorry to hear about your ordeal.   I am a notoriously BAD chewer but because my esophageal opening is sort of 'narrow' when I don't chew properly things don't make it to my pouch at all and it feels like an elephant is sitting on my chest! I guess I know what your post to 'What did you do today' would be for the Wed night roll call. Glad you are feeling better. Hugs, Mo

Chew... Chew... Chew...  Don't drink, listen to your body, get your protein first, so much to learn, so little time. I think I'm getting it, but I have a feeling I'll learn the most just like everyone else seems to - the hard way. Sorry to hear about the cracker - should have just gone with the Wendy's chili. Ted

Hi David BLAH that was not fun.  Did you call Dr. Gandsas, he usually meets you in the hospital and Sinai is good for that I hear.  No more crackers for awhile, ok!  Hugs Kristen