Aa
OMG they ruptured her bowel
I just got a call from my upset brother, mum went for a columoscapy today, she didn't tell me because my dad died of bowl cancer and she didn't want me to know there was a problem. Well some how during the proceedure they ruptured her bowl, she was in the out patient clinic , sent by ambulance to emergency and now she's waiting for a theatre to be available so they can fix the rupture.
It not a good thing obviously i know that but exactly what does this mean?
Sorry trying to find my calm before facing my distraight brother in an Aspie panic, BREATH! DS is on his way so i can get to mum and try and keep her calm, youngest is doing laps of the table and daughter is trying to get here so he wont be alone. BREATH!
What does this mean? can anyone tell me whilst i'm waiting for the cavalry to arrive?
JJ
It not a good thing obviously i know that but exactly what does this mean?
Sorry trying to find my calm before facing my distraight brother in an Aspie panic, BREATH! DS is on his way so i can get to mum and try and keep her calm, youngest is doing laps of the table and daughter is trying to get here so he wont be alone. BREATH!
What does this mean? can anyone tell me whilst i'm waiting for the cavalry to arrive?
JJ
COMMUNITY LEADER
Mum's up in the surgical ward, most of the tubes and machines are gone so no more ICU! YEAH!
I've just got home, big brother was taking over for the night but we are now on normal visiting hour times, so he only got to speak to her. Mum was trying to send me home an hour after i got there, she doesn't like to be a bother lol what bother? With mum she starts to appologise and worry she's causing us problems, its one of her sign's so It does mean she's mentally having a hard time. I think its understandable for anyone to be having a hard time!
She's lucid and quite angry! Her GP told her she was anemic (comon enough sx for the last 50yrs) and said she needed a colonoscapi (sp) to see if she had a tumor. She soon discovered it wasn't going to be covered and she needed to come up with the money. She contacted her doctor and asked if it was really necessary because of the costs, he said it could be from a tumor so you need to find the money. She tried to get out of doing it and her dr made it clear she needed the test so she borrowed the money.
I know that if it was 'necessary' it would of been fully covered by our health system as she is on a full pension and all her medical is free! This test was UNNECESSARY because it was classed as elective testing, her GP MUST of known that. His referal states the reason for the testing is 'Anemia' there is no mention of her needing the test because of a possible tumor, if he'd written that on his referal it would of been fully covered and free.
I actually got to see all her records because one of the nurses was saying the ruptured colon was not unexpected and thats why they warn of that possiblitly. His face did the goldfish when I said yes i'm sure we all understand that the colon can be ruptured but can you explain how they ruptured her spleen? He pulled her records and was going through them with us (I think he thought we were mistaken) and then he found the spleen repair part from the surgeon. I dont think there was one medical person that we asked that even attempted to explain it, though some didn't openly state they knew the colonoscapi was botched, others did say more than they probably should. Her ICU doctor opened her mouth to respond to that question then shut it, with a loud "hmmmmmmmm, argh no thats unexpected and really shouldn't of happened".
I'm too exhausted to be angry, but it will come after i've got her out of there!
Hugs and thanks.............JJ
I've just got home, big brother was taking over for the night but we are now on normal visiting hour times, so he only got to speak to her. Mum was trying to send me home an hour after i got there, she doesn't like to be a bother lol what bother? With mum she starts to appologise and worry she's causing us problems, its one of her sign's so It does mean she's mentally having a hard time. I think its understandable for anyone to be having a hard time!
She's lucid and quite angry! Her GP told her she was anemic (comon enough sx for the last 50yrs) and said she needed a colonoscapi (sp) to see if she had a tumor. She soon discovered it wasn't going to be covered and she needed to come up with the money. She contacted her doctor and asked if it was really necessary because of the costs, he said it could be from a tumor so you need to find the money. She tried to get out of doing it and her dr made it clear she needed the test so she borrowed the money.
I know that if it was 'necessary' it would of been fully covered by our health system as she is on a full pension and all her medical is free! This test was UNNECESSARY because it was classed as elective testing, her GP MUST of known that. His referal states the reason for the testing is 'Anemia' there is no mention of her needing the test because of a possible tumor, if he'd written that on his referal it would of been fully covered and free.
I actually got to see all her records because one of the nurses was saying the ruptured colon was not unexpected and thats why they warn of that possiblitly. His face did the goldfish when I said yes i'm sure we all understand that the colon can be ruptured but can you explain how they ruptured her spleen? He pulled her records and was going through them with us (I think he thought we were mistaken) and then he found the spleen repair part from the surgeon. I dont think there was one medical person that we asked that even attempted to explain it, though some didn't openly state they knew the colonoscapi was botched, others did say more than they probably should. Her ICU doctor opened her mouth to respond to that question then shut it, with a loud "hmmmmmmmm, argh no thats unexpected and really shouldn't of happened".
I'm too exhausted to be angry, but it will come after i've got her out of there!
Hugs and thanks.............JJ
What an ordeal for you all! I'm glad everything seems to be going in the right direction now, tho! Saying a prayer for all of y'all!
God bless your mother and her ability to pull herself out of this awful situation in which she was placed. This is just beyond imagination or belief....
I'm so sorry that you were sick with worry,but now to read your Mom asking "Hi sweety how are you?" would had put me to tears.
Let us hope this recovery will be uneventful and YOU take care of yourself with all that worry.
Hugs to you
Lisa
I'm so sorry that you were sick with worry,but now to read your Mom asking "Hi sweety how are you?" would had put me to tears.
Let us hope this recovery will be uneventful and YOU take care of yourself with all that worry.
Hugs to you
Lisa
God love you JJ,
I am praying for your mother. I hate that she had to wait alone, but she made it. I know that walking all over a hospital can be truly irritating, but with ms, It can literally make you sick! They ought to be shot! I had to find a friend by calling the department that assigns beds!
Make sure that you prod the origional surgeon. Find out if he was "teaching" or if he was doing it alone. You can also get the video of the procedure. Usually they are recorded on dvd.
Hang in there and find something to help you sleep!
Ann
I am praying for your mother. I hate that she had to wait alone, but she made it. I know that walking all over a hospital can be truly irritating, but with ms, It can literally make you sick! They ought to be shot! I had to find a friend by calling the department that assigns beds!
Make sure that you prod the origional surgeon. Find out if he was "teaching" or if he was doing it alone. You can also get the video of the procedure. Usually they are recorded on dvd.
Hang in there and find something to help you sleep!
Ann
what a positive update. It will be a slow recovery but it sounds like she is on the upswing.
Losing patients is a common occurence here, too. While your loved one is being moved about, somone overlooksthat the family is sitting in chairs waiting for news.
I hope it's a double scotch - you could use one.
hugs,
L
Losing patients is a common occurence here, too. While your loved one is being moved about, somone overlooksthat the family is sitting in chairs waiting for news.
I hope it's a double scotch - you could use one.
hugs,
L
COMMUNITY LEADER
Mum wasn't able to talk yet because she was still on the ventilator and still not really on planet earth, i assumed he meant she was off the ventilator because they'd told us she wouldn't be awake until after she was off it, my fault i didn't ask so he didn't tell me. They took her off the ventilator just before I arrived, she watched me walk towards her and said oh sweety how are you? LOL I told her she looked a little better than a cadavar (we are all black humor nuts) and your askng me how I am!? A few too many bad jokes but at least she was laughing.
She was obviously relieved to have me with her, she has no memory of most of last night which is probably for the best. The doctor was asking me how I was this morning (sheesh i must of looked bad last night) she thought i was in a state of shock with everything that had happened, she knows the entire story. I have to admit seeing my mother on a ventilator was shocking and I was still trying to keep my Aspie brother from ripping someones head off when we first met mum's ICU doc.
Mum listened then interupted and said "I explained to the ER people before things got really serious that my son has Asperger's and they needed to call my daughter". The hospital didnt call me and i didn't get even half the information (when i called or spoke in person) that my brother got and he hardly got anything as it was. She was on her own for hours before the opp and she kept thinking i'd be there soon, I was but I couldn't get to her!
Mum had put him down on the form as her next of kin, she said because she had no expectation of anything going wrong and as she didn't want me to know about it, she wanted them to call him when she needed picking up and not accidently calling me. When she's well enough i'm going to kill her!
She has tubes doing everything for her, so many machines hooked up with drugs for heart, lungs, pain etc she's breathing on her own but her lungs are still not fully functioning and they are still having a problem getting her blood pressure stable, its low and keeps dropping even lower. It looks like she will be in ICU tomorrow as well, she may be ok to get transfered to a room by the weekend and the doctor told me she wouldn't be going home for about 2 weeks.
Its been a long 24+ hours, i was with her all day and mark is suppose to be with her again tonight, i had to leave because she was getting upset worrying about me and the children, she wouldn't settle until i promised i'd go home for a sleep. Bugger, mark just called and said he couldn't get in but he managed to talked to her on the phone. He's now worried they might move her and we'll loose her again, i dont think i reasured him that its not going to happen again, he'll probably camp out side the doors.
I've just had a scotch!
JJ
She was obviously relieved to have me with her, she has no memory of most of last night which is probably for the best. The doctor was asking me how I was this morning (sheesh i must of looked bad last night) she thought i was in a state of shock with everything that had happened, she knows the entire story. I have to admit seeing my mother on a ventilator was shocking and I was still trying to keep my Aspie brother from ripping someones head off when we first met mum's ICU doc.
Mum listened then interupted and said "I explained to the ER people before things got really serious that my son has Asperger's and they needed to call my daughter". The hospital didnt call me and i didn't get even half the information (when i called or spoke in person) that my brother got and he hardly got anything as it was. She was on her own for hours before the opp and she kept thinking i'd be there soon, I was but I couldn't get to her!
Mum had put him down on the form as her next of kin, she said because she had no expectation of anything going wrong and as she didn't want me to know about it, she wanted them to call him when she needed picking up and not accidently calling me. When she's well enough i'm going to kill her!
She has tubes doing everything for her, so many machines hooked up with drugs for heart, lungs, pain etc she's breathing on her own but her lungs are still not fully functioning and they are still having a problem getting her blood pressure stable, its low and keeps dropping even lower. It looks like she will be in ICU tomorrow as well, she may be ok to get transfered to a room by the weekend and the doctor told me she wouldn't be going home for about 2 weeks.
Its been a long 24+ hours, i was with her all day and mark is suppose to be with her again tonight, i had to leave because she was getting upset worrying about me and the children, she wouldn't settle until i promised i'd go home for a sleep. Bugger, mark just called and said he couldn't get in but he managed to talked to her on the phone. He's now worried they might move her and we'll loose her again, i dont think i reasured him that its not going to happen again, he'll probably camp out side the doors.
I've just had a scotch!
JJ
JJ, OMG, I am so sorry about this,, wow, I hope this is not the only hospital you have near you.
How is your mom doing? I can't even imagine having to go through all of this.
My prayers are with you and your family and hoping that your mom comes out of this A-OK!!!
Big Hugs,
Pam
How is your mom doing? I can't even imagine having to go through all of this.
My prayers are with you and your family and hoping that your mom comes out of this A-OK!!!
Big Hugs,
Pam
JJ,
It's been few months since I've been on here, so you may not remember me, but I certainly remember reading many of your posts.
I just wanted to say how glad I am your mom has come through her emergency surgery and is awake and aware, even though she's not talking yet. Since the tubes are our or coming out, that must mean her lung re-inflation went well, right? That's wonderful news!
Hugs,
Melissa
It's been few months since I've been on here, so you may not remember me, but I certainly remember reading many of your posts.
I just wanted to say how glad I am your mom has come through her emergency surgery and is awake and aware, even though she's not talking yet. Since the tubes are our or coming out, that must mean her lung re-inflation went well, right? That's wonderful news!
Hugs,
Melissa
COMMUNITY LEADER
She's awake!
My brother opted to be the one to stay over night so i can be with her during the day and chat, something he's not too keen on. I'm waiting for him to pick me up and fill me in on the details. She's not able to talk yet but she's knows i've been there and the nurse relayed her happy wave when she knew it was me calling.
I'll get to see her with out all the tubes etc which will be another relief!
JJ
My brother opted to be the one to stay over night so i can be with her during the day and chat, something he's not too keen on. I'm waiting for him to pick me up and fill me in on the details. She's not able to talk yet but she's knows i've been there and the nurse relayed her happy wave when she knew it was me calling.
I'll get to see her with out all the tubes etc which will be another relief!
JJ
JJ, I am just now seeing this message. I will certainly hope that the doctors have made the appropriate repairs. What a mess.
I do know that it would not be unusual to do a colostomy if they had to do a repair to the colon - often this is only a temporary bypass to allow the colon to heal before reintroducing waste and the ensuing pressure. We have a dear friend who wore a bag for almost 9 months before it was removed. He is now plumbed normal with no problems.
Do check in and let us know an update - I'm holding out good wishes for her and gentle hugs for you.
Lulu
I do know that it would not be unusual to do a colostomy if they had to do a repair to the colon - often this is only a temporary bypass to allow the colon to heal before reintroducing waste and the ensuing pressure. We have a dear friend who wore a bag for almost 9 months before it was removed. He is now plumbed normal with no problems.
Do check in and let us know an update - I'm holding out good wishes for her and gentle hugs for you.
Lulu
OMG!! Id call the administrator of the hospital! sent you home - they didnt know where she was--- i find that something was wrong-they prob didnt want you to find her!
gosh and how can you sleep - ditto with what ess said!
hugs!! let us know!! cainer
gosh and how can you sleep - ditto with what ess said!
hugs!! let us know!! cainer
This is terrible! How they could have bungled things so badly is beyond me. And then for them to be so awful about where she was!
They aren't likely to be forthcoming about what happened, so once she is better, I'd consult a lawyer.
Meanwhile, hugs to you and your family, and the best of wishes that it all works out well.
ess
They aren't likely to be forthcoming about what happened, so once she is better, I'd consult a lawyer.
Meanwhile, hugs to you and your family, and the best of wishes that it all works out well.
ess
COMMUNITY LEADER
She is in ICU and on a ventolator!
They not only perforated her bowel but also her spleen, her lungs wont reinflate, blood pressure low and not rising and her oxygen levels are low also. I dont think i can explain the relief on finding her, shocked at her condition, glad to hold her hand and tell her i was there but horrified at all the machines and tubes.
I'm wiped out, my brother and the nurses ganged up on me and put me into a wheelchair because by the time i'd seen her my legs had gone on me, only lost her for 8 bloody hours! I think they earned their cone of silence medal, no one was telling us anything, her current ICU team were a bit shocked we didn't know where she was and have spent the day trying to find her. She's in good hands now!
We've been sent home to sleep and we'll regroup again early tomorrow morning, should know more after they try and take her off the ventolator at 10am, fingers crossed!
Thank you.........JJ
They not only perforated her bowel but also her spleen, her lungs wont reinflate, blood pressure low and not rising and her oxygen levels are low also. I dont think i can explain the relief on finding her, shocked at her condition, glad to hold her hand and tell her i was there but horrified at all the machines and tubes.
I'm wiped out, my brother and the nurses ganged up on me and put me into a wheelchair because by the time i'd seen her my legs had gone on me, only lost her for 8 bloody hours! I think they earned their cone of silence medal, no one was telling us anything, her current ICU team were a bit shocked we didn't know where she was and have spent the day trying to find her. She's in good hands now!
We've been sent home to sleep and we'll regroup again early tomorrow morning, should know more after they try and take her off the ventolator at 10am, fingers crossed!
Thank you.........JJ
I hope that by now you have some information and things are looking up for you and your mom. Saying a prayer!
I can't believe the $hit you went through the maze of the hospital and various staff members without the ability to let your Mom know that you are "here" so she didn't feel she was alone.
As Mary said, perforation of the bowel is a risk for that procedure, however rare, it can happen. I'm sorry your Mom had to go through it and you sick with worry.
The size and the location of where they may have perforated the bowel determines their intervention and it can vary. To have the medical staff state that she may need a colostomy is also rare and tells you the seriousness of the situation. I pray that she only needs close observation for a few days and will be able to send her home.
It is awful to have your parent sick in the hospital and my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Did they tell you how it happened? Was it a removal of a polyp?
Please let us know how you and your Mom are doing.
Sincerely
Lisa
As Mary said, perforation of the bowel is a risk for that procedure, however rare, it can happen. I'm sorry your Mom had to go through it and you sick with worry.
The size and the location of where they may have perforated the bowel determines their intervention and it can vary. To have the medical staff state that she may need a colostomy is also rare and tells you the seriousness of the situation. I pray that she only needs close observation for a few days and will be able to send her home.
It is awful to have your parent sick in the hospital and my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Did they tell you how it happened? Was it a removal of a polyp?
Please let us know how you and your Mom are doing.
Sincerely
Lisa
COMMUNITY LEADER
I feel like i'm in an episode of dumb and dumber, I still havent been able to see her or even let her know we are here! We were sent on a long long winding journey through out the corridors of this blasted hospital, each person we asked sent us on another journey, you'd think the people that work there would actually know where the theatre services unit was, alas no.
My brother desided he should tell me because he thought i wouldn't forgive him if she died. The last time he saw her was when the doctor told them she had to have surgery to repair the perforation and they were about to catheterise her so he left and called me. He just told me she may end up with a collostomy bag but he's not sure if that was because of the perforation or what they found in her bowel. He doesn't know what they found just that they did find something that needed surgery anyway, he keeps thinking thats just a cover up, he does think that way usually so its probably not true.
We still dont know what's going on and thats not right, both of us have been sent home with no information other than she is in surgery. Mark is upset as am I, he's not even sure if we'll be able to see her at all tonight because visitor time finishes soon.
This is entire thing is wrong, this hospital is like a fast food production line, people are just not that important to them.
Grrrrr.........JJ
My brother desided he should tell me because he thought i wouldn't forgive him if she died. The last time he saw her was when the doctor told them she had to have surgery to repair the perforation and they were about to catheterise her so he left and called me. He just told me she may end up with a collostomy bag but he's not sure if that was because of the perforation or what they found in her bowel. He doesn't know what they found just that they did find something that needed surgery anyway, he keeps thinking thats just a cover up, he does think that way usually so its probably not true.
We still dont know what's going on and thats not right, both of us have been sent home with no information other than she is in surgery. Mark is upset as am I, he's not even sure if we'll be able to see her at all tonight because visitor time finishes soon.
This is entire thing is wrong, this hospital is like a fast food production line, people are just not that important to them.
Grrrrr.........JJ
Hey JJ. Bowel perforation is a recognized risk when doing a colonoscopy but it doesn't happen often. Sometimes it can happen at the point where a biopsy is taken. I hope your mother has only a small tear and doesn't need more than some close observation over night.
Surgery may be done to repair the perforation. That ranges from a small suture job to creation of a temporaory colostomy (made so the bowel can rest and recover) that would be reversed later.
The obvious danger is that bowel content can make it's way into the abdominal cavity and cause infection. Fortunately, the prep for the colonscopy would have cleaned her out real well so 'spilage' will be minimal.
I hope things are going well for all the family during this minor crisis. I'm sure you will thank Mom for saving you all that worry about her having this procedure done.
Mary
Surgery may be done to repair the perforation. That ranges from a small suture job to creation of a temporaory colostomy (made so the bowel can rest and recover) that would be reversed later.
The obvious danger is that bowel content can make it's way into the abdominal cavity and cause infection. Fortunately, the prep for the colonscopy would have cleaned her out real well so 'spilage' will be minimal.
I hope things are going well for all the family during this minor crisis. I'm sure you will thank Mom for saving you all that worry about her having this procedure done.
Mary
I can't either. I do know the fact that it was found quickly is in her favor. Sending strength...
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Multiple Sclerosis Community
Top Neurology Answerers
Australia
ON
Queensland, Australia
Queen Creek, AZ
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
In this special Missouri Medicine report, doctors examine advances in diagnosis and treatment of this devastating and costly neurodegenerative disease.
Here are 12 simple – and fun! – ways to boost your brainpower.
Discover some of the causes of dizziness and how to treat it.
Discover the common causes of headaches and how to treat headache pain.
Two of the largest studies on Alzheimer’s have yielded new clues about the disease
