My Operation Plus

[DiveWrite]

Hi Gals & Guys: I'm Baaaaaak!


My Operation


As many of you know, within a very short period of time I was diagnosed with Hepatitis C and then colon cancer. I could not begin treatment for hepatitis until my cancer was taken care of. I just returned home from having an operation to remove a cancerous tumor that was located inside my colon at the Secom. The surgeon also removed several inches of the colon itself and some lymph nodes. This was one operation I would not soon forget.

In order to clean out my plumbing, the day before surgery I had to consume two extremely salty drinks, and inject myself with one Fleet Enema. That salty stuff worked so well that it

[Tim in Tenn]

Theres nothing in this world that feels as good as the love GOD pours out through his people when they are faithful in prayer!Glad your still with us and may HE give you peace and joy even in times of trouble.

[DiveWrite]

I just found the thread that "regmel" suggested I read.

I AM TRULY HUMBLED BY YOUR SUPPORT AND PRAYERS. On September 3, the day of my surgery, nearly 40 sisters and brothers from this forum were there with me in prayer-filled spirit. It is now quite clear to me why  this 60 year old body of mine was able to easily tolerate three hours of surgery. Even more remarkable was how quickly my body subsequently healed itself. Just five short days after the operation my doctor removed the 13 staples he used to close up a 10" scar. He then discharged me, even though is was a Sunday. All of my doctors and nurses were truly amazed by how quickly I healed. It was as if my old body had become young again.

In spite of the problem I had in recovery immediately after the operation, subsequently all else could not have gone any better.
I'm even looking forward to the Chemo, because I'm sure it will do what it is supposed to do: free me from the remainder of my cancer.

Thanks again, everyone. YOUR PRAYERS FOR ME WERE HEARD.

Irv.  



people, none of whom had I met, were with me in spirit.  I finally found and just finished reading the prayer-filled support of nearly 40 people, who were there with me in spirit on the day of my surgery. strangers

[mikesimon]

There is a thread of good wishes for you on the date of your surgery. Your name is in the title. Keep looking and you'll find it. So many of us were thinking and praying for you. Mike

[DiveWrite]

Tosser: There is a test that can discern whether you have a neuropathy or not. They stick small needles in various nerves in the affected area and run charges of electricity through them. If the flow of electricity is interrupted, it could be the result of some neuropathy, which, by the way, is common with diabetics. I'm not a diabetic, but I did shoot tons of drugs back in the 60's and 70's, sometimes in the veines in my feet. In my research I discovered that there is a thing called drug or alcohol induced neuropathy. Also, there are many others drugs, both narcotic and non-narcotic used with those who have a neuropathy, although I'm told they have had good results with methadone in certain cases. Of course your condition may have nothing to do with the nerves at all, but caused by something else. I hope this info helps a little.

Christie: The surgeon himself told me that the reason for keeping intubated was related directly to the methadone. He said that they just couldn't wake me up after surgery because of the amount of it still in my system. As I'm sure you know, people who die from an overdose of drugs, actually die because the drugs repressed their breathing, or is it suppressed. How about screwed-up their breathing.

Irv.

[nurse12hr]

I hope you don't think I was supporting the anesthesiologist.
  I was just (probably badly) trying to say that there are a lot of factors governing how people react to general anesthesia, and how soon they can be extubated in the RR.
And that even people with no extra meds on board are sometimes unable to be extubated right away.

Anyway, again, I wish you the best of luck in your recovery.  

[DiveWrite]

Regmel, as you suggested, I went back to 9/3, but saw nothing of particular interest. What was it that you wanted me to see there?

Irv.

[nurse12hr]

I am so glad you are through your surgery safely.  I worked with another nurse who had colon cancer almost 10 years ago, had surgery and chemo and is now fine.  I know that doesn't bring you much comfort, but I am a cancer survivor too, and hearing "success" stories always encouraged me to a certain extent.

As an RN, I don't want to make excuses for the anesthesiologist.  I know virtually nothing about methadone and it's effects on potentiating general anesthesia.  But I do know that it is not rare for someone to have to remain intubated for a time after surgery, especially abdominal surgery that was extensive.  There can be many different reasons, from the livers inability to process the anesthetic from the system as efficiently as it should, to upper airway difficulties that make extubation immediately after surgery unwise.  I had to remain intubated after a mastectomy, when I could not maintain my airway after surgery.  This was a horrid experience, but necessary.  I think I remained intubated for about 15 min after awakening.  
I have taken care of women after a c/section (which typically uses very light anesthesia), who had upper airway difficulties and had to remain intubated until they could maintain on their own.  There is also a metabolic problem that can interfere with clearing the paralytic drug given to you.  
If you ever have surgery again, be sure (I know you will!) mention the difficulty you had.  Insist that the anesthesiologist repeat back to you that he knows you took your Methadone prior to surgery.  I will talk to some of the anesthesiologists at work tonight to see what they know about this, and get back to you.

I really just wanted to wish you well, and to let you know I am praying for you.

[TravelGrl]

DW...Just want to wish you good luck with the chemo...Keep the chin up and be strong...You will do fine...We are all pulling for you..Best Wishes and keep us all posted..
Jodi

Bartt~
  Thank you for your post..Amanda is now on daily infergen and Zadaxin..Just started the Zadaxin this week.. Hopefully this is the combination she needs to respond..She has not responded to any other combination to date.  She is going in for a biopsy on Tuesday the 23rd.  Hopefully she will have at least improved her liver histology with all this interferon..She is now on week 55. She is still tolerating treatment well...now if it will only work..Thank you again for your post..
Be Well,
Jodi

[Tosser]

Hello DiveWrite, I'm one of the new kids on the block, but I wanted to wish you the best, and let you know, I too, regret your unfortunate incident in the hospital. It makes me so angry when I hear about mistakes being made by medical professionals with potentially disasterous consequences. In all my years of doing what I do for a living, I am expected to make absolutely no mistakes. We are all human and will mess up from time to time, but I'm afraid it happens more often in the medical field than should be tollerated. I don't mean to step on toes here. I realize how complex the health technologies are, and appreciate the humanity given 99% of the time, but I lost my father to what I thought were very bad decisions on behalf of his Doctors, and I just haven't gotten over that yet.
Anyway, I do sincerely hope you fully recover your good health and live a long, happy life. I wish that for everone here!
I would like to ask you to go into detail some time about your leg and foot neuropathy. I have had so much trouble with mine, and they still go undiagnosed. We just concluded an old injury has led to " Plantar Faciatis", but they refuse to get any better. I am still thinking there is a connection between my symptoms and the Hep-C. My liver doctor wants to get me through these treatments first, then I get to go to a foot surgeon in the spring for further examination. I'll keep watching the posts, and may have more questions, if you don't mind. Thanks!...and Happy Trails My Friend.
Tosser

[latrobe]

glad you made it throug the horrible stuff that surgery brought to you. wishing you well--and a way to thrive.  please do't give a hard time to folks that post here under  your thread. be kind. and the kindness will rebound.
-m.

[DiveWrite]

Hi Galen:

I'm meeting with my oncologist next week, when I will learn the details of my Chemo. Rachel and I bought a small place not too far from you in Zephyrhills, just down the road from Skydive City, an internationally known and respected skydiving dropzone. Some of the best jumpers in the world come to Skydive City during the winter months, which is the main reason for my wanting to live there. The last few years, however, I've been looking up more than down. If it's in the spiritual cards, perhaps this winter I'll get to jump again. There ain't nothin like watching the ground rushing up to you at 120mph. The trick, however, is to ultimately meet at a considerably slower vilocity.Ahhhh, the adrenaline, I can't wait. Why do we jump out of perfectly a good airplane? Because the door is open.

We should be in Z-hills by early December. Our phone number there is 813-788-3098. Should you want to meet and go for a skydive or something, give us a ring.

Thanks again everyone for being here for me. I'm generally the type who grins and bears it alone. However,it sure feels good when I'm not alone. Thank you.

Irv.

[Bartt]

JODI:

Sorry for posting under My Operation but was not permitted to post any additional "stand alone" questions today. How is Amanda doing? I have kept her in my prayers for months and lift her up in bidding prayers every Sunday at Service. I hope she is doing well.

Regards,
Barry

[DH Bill]

We are so glad to hear from you.I know we have all been wondering how it was going. I think most of us have come to learn that the medical profession is like plumbers and electricians, we have really good ones and really bad ones, except we usually don't put our lives in their hands.
Hang in there and the best to you and yours.
Bill

[scooz]

I was hoping to hear something from ya,Been thinking about you the last few days.It is horrible waking up with that wonderful device in ya..Went through that after the transplant,They have to keep it in for about a day..Wonderful weather here in fla..You will be here soon,Best of luck with your chemo..Kick Butt!My thoughts are with ya always..


Steve..

[MajNeni]

I'm really glad you made it back!  What a lousy experience.  With that chemo, it sounds like you're on a "Learner's Permit", getting ready for hep tx down the road... sorry, sick joke.  I wish you the very best with the follow-up treatments.  Like what's colon cancer eqivalent of SVR?  That's what I wish you, and an easy ride.
Maj Neni

[Galen]

I am so glad you posted today.  I've been worried about you.  I'm so sorry about the chemo.  I know your hopes were high that you would be able to do without.  When will you start it?
(BTW, where in Florida will you be?  I live just south of Clearwater)

[meandhepc]

I am so sorry that you went through  all that, I wish you all the best now and please do keep us all informed, so glad to see your post.

[aaapattie]

Been wondering about you.  So glad to hear from you, but hated what we heard.  Gee Whiz!  What an experience!!!  Glad you are feeling better than before the surgery at least.  Keep planning on that Florida trip!!  God Bless.  Pattie

[harley dude]

You'll be fine ole boy, were all saying prayers for you and remember your only on earth for a short time, it's where your going to be for eternity that really counts -- good luck--HD

[aaapattie]

AMEN Harley D!

:-))

P.

[DiveWrite]

Thanks everyone for your comments, support and prayers. I just want to say that in spite of everything, right now I feel great, better than I have in years. I was told that my tumor had blood around it, causing me to bleed from both ends when I went to the bathroom. Ultimately I became enemic. Regardless of how my operation went, it appears to have done its job. I also feel okay about the Chemo. So, come hell, high water or the boogy man, my wife and I will be in Florida for the winter, and the one after that, and ... Irv.

[DiveWrite]

Thanks everyone for your comments, support and prayers. I just want to say that in spite of everything, right now I feel great, better than I have in years. I was told that my tumor had blood around it, causing me to bleed from both ends when I went to the bathroom. Ultimately I became enemic. Regardless of how my operation went, it appears to have done its job. I also feel okay about the Chemo. So, come hell, high water or the boogy man, my wife and I will be in Florida for the winter, and the one after that, and ... Irv.

[layla]

I am so sorry to hear you've had such a bad experience. I hope chemo isn't to bad for you and your recuperating goes fast an easy. LL

[oldhippiechick67]

Thanks for posting and letting us know how you are doing!  Sad to hear you have to undergo chemo now.  Hang tough, when I feel sorry for myself all I have to do is turn on the Discovery Health Channel and see folks with all kindsa horrible accidents and surgeries.  ACKKKKK.  What you have is bad, but you are sucha fighter, sucha good soul, I am confident you will beat all those monsters placed in front of you.  As a nurse, I have seen some stupid arrogant docs who think they kno best. Where I worked the anesthesia docs would call the patients the nite before and do a review of their history and answer questions. That is so wrong that you had to go to them and wait over an hour.  There are a lot of flaws in our health system, but thank God we live in America and not Iraq/Iran.  (am I trying to be optimistic? or what?)  Well take care of yourself and see? ... ya beat them again and survived the surgery & the overdose!  Sorry it was so damn scarey waking up!