2nd surgery 1 week post op

Well today marks the one week mark since this second surgery began.  I have to say it has been a much more difficult time than the first surgery.  Mackenzie has been fighting nausea since day one.  Two nights ago she got sick 6 times in the night. Last night was a little better.  Yesterday she had leakage from her ostomy and that caused some skin irritation. She attempted to change the bag on her own with me trying my best to help. It was difficult because of the rod. It was not a very nice experience that I won't go into details with.  Finally we made it happen. The pain all over is more intense.

The visiting nurse came to our house again today and made a call into the doctors office. We ended up going into see the surgeon today.  After checking her over, the doctor said she is starting to get dehydrated. They were able to tell by her heart rate and blood pressure. The good news is everything is healing right on target. She just needs to drink more and take Imodium to slow down her output. The best thing was the doctor took out the JP drain.  Kenz felt much better having that out. 

When we got home she decided to take the prescription pain meds but only half the dose. The doctor said because she is only taking Tylenol the pain she is feeling could be causing some of the nauseous feeling.

Well tonight she seems to be feeling better. I pray we have now turned a corner on this recovery.

Her dog Gala and my two boys are helping take very good care of her. 

2nd surgery day 5 post op Colleen grew up!

9:39 pm

Kenz ended up getting sick once in the night. Her nausea feeling lasted into the morning. 

 She is eating her low residue diet and she is able to keep it down.  So that is great news. Her pain level is staying at a level 5 but she doesn't want to take anything more than Tylenol.  She has to measure her drain and when it is less than 30ml in one day she can get the drain removed.  

The visiting nurse came today and will return again on Friday.  

So this part of the blog is for fellow UCers. It may get kinda gross for everyone else.  

After Mackenzie's first surgery she decided to name her stoma Colleen. The stoma is made from the end of her small intestine.  During this second surgery, they build the Jpouch out of the small intestine. So they use the part that was the stoma for the Jpouch. Her new stoma is higher up on the small intestine and has to be looped out and held out with a rod.  The rod will come out at her first post op appointment with the ileostomy nurse on Monday.  But for now the rod is supporting the loop. 

 I asked Kenz if she would give her stoma a new name since it was a different piece of her intestine. She said, "no I'm looking at it as if Colleen grew up"! Love her sense of humor. 

So here is a look at the loop ileostomy with the rod. Hope this is helpful to anyone heading into Jpouch construction surgery.

2nd surgery day 4 post op

11:12 pm

This is the first time I was able to write today.  We did finally make it home today. We are glad to be home, but over all, today was a tough day.

Mackenzie had extreme nausea in the night and in the morning.  There are two types of nausea with this surgery. The first kind is due to pain meds. That is not a concern. The second is if there is an obstruction in the intestine. So they really were not comfortable releasing us if there was a possibility of an obstruction.  There was no vomiting so that was making them lean towards a reaction to pain meds.

Every time someone came in Kenz kept saying she needed to go home.  So finally we convinced them to release her.  We got home at 2:00 pm.  Kenz had to come home with the JP drain bulb still draining out of her stomach.  She also made the decision to switch to taking Tylenol for pain because of the nausea.  This desicion makes her feel more pain but she said she will take the trade off.

Her stoma is having a lot more output than usual so she will start Imodium tomorrow to slow things down a bit.  She has to measure all liquids going in and all liquids going out.

Kenz has had a very emotional day. I think it's hard for her to feel the pain and be stuck inside recovering on a hot summer day.  Also she is missing Mason.

She had a therapy dog named Miracle in to visit her today before we left.

Her dog Gala was so excited when she got home and hasnt left her side!

2nd surgery day 3 post op

11:53 am

Mason had to head back to Michigan today. He left at 10:00am. 

Well she isn't going home today.  She is experiencing nausea.  Still very tired so they would like to keep her here another day. So we are hoping to get home tomorrow.  

3:03 pm

Kenz is resting and sleeping a lot today. The nausea is better this afternoon.

5:14 pm

Dr. Hriesik came to visit Kenz today around 4:30. She feels Kenz is doing good. Any concerns that we had she assured us it was all normal stuff going on. Kenz is now allowed to have mashed potatoes at dinner. That was exciting.

8:53pm

Since Mas had to head back to Michigan I will be spending the night with Kenz at the hospital. So we are watching cheesy girl TV.  I have to say this room is huge and very nice. I even have my own bed!

2nd surgery day 2 after surgery

7:19pm

Progress has been made today. Low grade fever gone, catheter out, no more IV. She took a shower today and has been doing a great job walking. Still not sure if she can go home tomorrow.

Mason is a great support and seems to be able to handle " for better or worse, in sickness and in health"!!!!

Tony, Marissa and Dominic do such a great job cheering Kenz up. Tonight they set up the room to play Mario cart.

2nd surgery day 1 after surgery

9:19 pm.

Well Kenz is sleeping well at night and most of the day. After surgery number 1 she didn't sleep at all day or night because of the high dose of prednisone. She is in more pain this time. There was some blood in her urine so they ran a UTI test but it came back negative. She has had a low grade fever all day but they are not concerned. They tell us that is very common. Her stoma is having output, so that is great news. Sometimes it can take awhile to wake back up.  She was told she had to get out of bed and walk three times today. She met that goal of walking, and each time she extended the walk. She is very determined. I admire her strength.

Dominic came to visit Aunt Kenzie!!!

2nd surgery today!

Today is the creation of the Jpouch.  We got to the hospital at 5:45 with surgery starting at 7:30. I was told the surgery was 7 hours however,  everyone that checks in with us is saying she is signed in for a 10 hour surgery. UGHHHHH!

CHECK BACK THROUGH THE DAY......

2:38 - Just spoke with Dr. She is very pleased with how everything went. We wont see Mackenzie for about an hour to two hours.

4:10 - Mason and I were able to peek in on her for a minute. She was sound asleep. She wont be out of recovery for another hour or so.

6:12 - finally in her room. She didnt get one of the new rooms this time. She is very sleepy.

7:06 - So her room is in the older section of the hospital. Last time she was in the brand new suites. After talking with my niece Amanda, who worked on this floor for 5 years, she encouraged me to request a room change and to explain they live in Michigan and this is where Mason will be staying while he is in town. Well.....a room is available and they will be switching her within the hour!!!!! Thank you Amanda!!!

9:55 - Kenz walked at about 9:35. What amazing strength. She is so very groggy still. Much more than the first surgery.  We are wondering if its because she was on prednisone for the last surgery.  Just our guess.