Upcoming Surgery Update and Personal Reflections

I am booked in for my 6th bout of surgery. This one will involve moving the stoma, fixing hernias, repairing ulcerated skin, and finding and fixing anything else that has been causing me problems since my June surgery. Man, it's been a horrible time waiting for this surgery to come along. I'm sore all the time, feel tired and run down, have no energy, and trying to juggle work and study has really knocked me for six. I'll let you all know how I'm progressing from the hospital on my laptop. So, until then, be good to each other and don't sweat the small stuff.
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well good hunting gus

Well, Gus, you don't know me, but I have been following you for a very long time. I think the whole group on this site is in love with you! I know that I am!!  You are such a dear, kind and funny sweet guy.  I wish you all the luck in the world with this upcoming surgery.  You have been through so much. I think I speak for the "gang" when I say we are all pulling for you, Fondly, Barb

We're all cheering for you, Gus!  May your surgeon's hands be sure and steady, and may God guide them to fix all and make your life bearable again!  Pam  

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Gus - that is almost exactly what my next surgery will be too - look forward to hearing how you get on my friend ...... Rach  xxxxx

Staying Hydrated with an Ostomy with LeeAnne Hayden | Hollister

Gus;



I, too, have been reading many of your posts and staying as up to date as I can with all you've been experiencing. What a ride it's been! I'm glad to hear that you're remaining steadfast in your quest for wellness, and I do sincerely hope you're feeling better soon.



Please keep us all posted, keep your fluids up, and never turn down a hug - because those are healing things.

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Tiggy

We'll be thinking of you buddy, hope everything goes well and we'll be waiting to hear the good news from you, Ed

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Gus, you take it easy and try to rest in that bed as much as you can! I hope all goes well. Good grief, you have had a lot to deal with. We are sticking together, dear bro. Keep us up on how you're doing!
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~Love from your Doe

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Dear Gus, I would like to wish you all the very best for your surgery!!! Hope it all goes well for you..... Keep up your very positive attitude and let us know how it all went for you!!!  You're a lovely man, Gus; there should be more men out there like you!!!!!!!  



Look after yourself!!!!!!



Beverley.....

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  xxxxxxxxxxxxx







((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((hugs to you)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Aww
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I don't know what to say except thank you all. It brought a tear to my eye, or was that just dust? Nice to know people think so highly of me. Hugs to all, I'll keep you posted.

Good luck, Gus.  You will be in my prayers and thoughts.  I'm sure everything will go great and you will be feeling better soon and all that pain will be behind you. God speed...Fondly, Becky

We all love you, Gus and wish you all the best.  Keep your chin up!

Love,

Maryallison

Gus

As you may or may not know, there are limitations to stoma placement. A lot has to do with the veins and arteries attached to the intestine, scar tissue, and other issues. However, there is some latitude.

You need to let the surgeon know where YOU want it for attaining the best seal. Away from your center line and navel. Try to avoid any folds in the skin.

I swear some of these surgeons are clueless about where they place the stoma, making it very hard to fit a wafer with some room around it.

Stoma shape is more of an art than a procedure. I have had several surgeons tell me this.
I believe it because I have had oddly shaped stomas that were very hard to attain a good seal completely around them and others that were perfectly round and stuck out about 8 to 12 mm and were very easy to work with.

Just make sure they try and get it right, to make your life easier.

Good luck.

Rick.....

sounds like you're gonna get a complete tune-up, we all wish you the best and will be waiting for your report

well...we're waiting!  How'd ya make out?

Err, haven't yet, it's Monday today lol

Major tune-up, Gus! I'll be thinking of you.

Well, surgery was done Monday, spent the week in the hospital, very sore but the stoma is smaller, and the belly is getting flatter instead of concave. He tightened the skin around the stoma to stop it from prolapsing so it should stay small for a while. I'm still on OxyNorm but that won't last. All in all, I came through okay.

Glad it all went well. Nice to have you back, mate. Michael

Good to hear, tough guy! Only thing "small for awhile" ... isn't there a good chance that this will keep everything in place for good? How many times can you go through all this?

Hugs from Beatrice

Good job, Guss. Glad to see it went right.

Glad your surgery went well...and wishing you the best for a speedy recovery!
Take care...Shelia
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Way to go, Gus!  Hope your recovery is swift and smooth.    

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      Pinky

Hi Gus,

Feel so sorry for you. Hope all goes well. I am an anesthetic nurse in the operating theaters of a public hospital and assist with these operations every day. I also have a hernia the size of an orange but am too embarrassed to let my workmates do the operation. I am also studying. How are you handling the security work? I have had my ileostomy for 34 years, so luckily I know how to manage it. My biggest fear is a major leak during an operation when I have to be there and cannot leave the room. God!

Well, I am happy to say I don't need pain meds anymore. I am a bit disappointed with how he formed the stoma. It now sits about 1 mm below the skin surface and makes it hard to keep a seal without using paste, and even then it now only lasts 2-3 days instead of 4-6. But I'm getting my life back slowly.

Friendly, I find security work okay. I dislike dealing with bad behavior daily, but then you can't expect much more from teenagers these days. They show no respect to anyone, and when chipped about, they tell you they want to be respected. As I tell them, respect is earned, not just given, and to win my respect, they need to act in a responsible manner and treat others around them with kindness and dignity, especially the elderly. Falls on deaf ears, I think.

Only had 1 leak at work, and that was a minor one but still troublesome.

Thanks, everyone, for your kind thoughts. Gus is back and gonna get badder
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Thanks everyone for your kind thoughts, Gus is back and is going to get badder
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Glad to hear it, mate! You take care now. xxxxx
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Yay Gus!

I am so relieved to hear that you're on a speedy road to recovery. I know it's been a considerably difficult one thus far. Don't forget to take it easy! And if any of those little bastards tries to be a tough guy when you're on the job, just keep yourself safe first of all, and worry about the rest later.

*Hugs* from Canada!

Go Man Go! The one with the most scars wins!