Post Surgery - Day 13 Update

This is an update to my last post . From my last post, the countdown was on. I did get released from the hospital on Wednesday 2/16 at approximately 5:30pm. A nurse from the Home care services met me at my house that evening to bring the TPN IV and instruct me on how to use. I'm glad I'm home but it has been an adjustment. Before I had nurses taking care of everything now it's me. The good thing is that I can sleep for the most part uninterrupted. I was able to be at my son's birthday party, which was a hit!  My 1st follow up with my doctor is this Friday. I hope she upgrades my diet. I'm getting hungry. The TPN runs for 14 hours. I hope that can be decreased as well. I hope  to be back at work by mid-March but we will see. I feel fine but I get a little tired walking. I need to increase my stamina by walking more. Anyway, we are progressing! Thanks for the support!!! Until next time..

Post Surgery - Day 13

The countdown is on. The Social Works department stopped by and reviewed my TPN IV paperwork.  Now, we are waiting to see if the Home Nurse Service can have my TPN ready for me this evening. If so, I'm outta here today. If not, tomorrow will be just fine because the wheels are in motion. Although, I have to administer my IV at home, that's cool with me. It's not forever, just 4 weeks. Right now, I feel about the best that I have felt in a longtime. I will continue walking when I get home to help get my system back to normal. I physically feel back to normal because I can walk at my normal pace, which for others is fast. I'm thankful for all the support that I have received and still receiving. It's one blessing to know how much people care. It's another blessing to be able to overcome and give back.

Until next time.....

Post Surgery - Day 12 Update

Alright so my day has been quite good. First, I have not had any pain for 2 days now. When taking narcotics, they slow down the digestive system (which I did not know). Since I have not needed any morphine, my system is starting to come around. Second, I walked 33 laps around the floor and 4 flights of stairs. I am determined to regain normalcy in my life (I got T-ball practices and games to attend. As well as, recipes to prepare on the stove and grill). Third, had 7 or 8 BMs. That's a big deal. I'm going to eat cake this weekend. Fourth, I was asked if I would mine be interviewed by a Doctor at Emory. The Doctor is doing a study on Crohn's and the demographics it effects. I said yes because that is why I do this. My goal is to bring awareness to Crohn's so that others will not have to suffer as I have. So when reading these blogs, pass it on. You could be the difference in someones life.
Until next time.......... 

Post Surgery - Day 12

I have been up since 5:00am determining my plan of action to help expedite my release date. In my last post, I mentioned the TPN IV. Well, when I saw my doctor this morning at 6:30, she informed me that I would just be on TPN while I was here in the hospital. I can take sips of liquid but I will not be getting anything from the cafeteria. So here's my plan of action to get that bowel system moving, I will walk every hour on the hour taking 5 laps around my floor. I started that at 8am and had a BM at 9:15am with no medication to induce. I'm geeked! If this keeps up, I can slowly start incorporating food in my diet. My plan is to be able to eat some solid food by Saturday. I love sweets. I will want to have a piece of cake. One step at a time though. Right now, I'm focused on getting home and the BM is a great start.
Until next time...

Post Surgery - Day 11 Update

At 5:15pm, they pulled that uncomfortable tube from out of my nose. Let me tell you, don't wish that on anyone. If you have experienced it, you know what I went through. If not, again I don't wish it upon you. So now the question I had for my doctor after blowing my nose, what is the plan now? Here is what she told me: They are going to send me home with a TPN IV that I will intake at night (This is a nutrition bag IV that I have been receiving since I got here; We (doctor and I) were hoping that I would not have to take the IV home). I will probably be on the TPN for 2 to 3 weeks. I really need to gain weight. I'm back
 at ground zero with clear liquid diet and will slowly work my way up to a regular diet. The key to increasing the diets is bowel movements. My body is moving slowly internally in recovering from surgery. Passing gas is progress but I'm going to need to produce bowel movements on my own to be able to eat normally. I don't mean to gross anyone out but this is the reality of anyone who is in my situation. The things that we take for granted sometimes are milestones for others. As long as I'm home by this weekend to attend my oldest son birthday party, I will be happy. I have been in the hospital for 3 straight weeks (I came in through the ER on 1/23/11).  Before  that, I was in the hospital from 1/15/11 to 1/18/11. Since 1/15, I have only been home for 5 days. I will take the TPN IV home with me quickly.
So I end this for now and watch Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives with Guy on the Food Network.
Until next time...

Post Surgery - Day 11

So I made it through the night and I still have the tube down my nose as I'm writing this post. Last night, I had several thoughts of pulling it out. The reality is had I done that, I would have probably been setback even further. It hurts to talk. I'm just feeling miserable. I don't have stomach pains and I have been passing gas. I relayed this to the doctors this morning after I emphatically requested to remove the tube. They want to do a xray on my stomach and if that looks good, the tube will come out. I'm looking at the container that the tube in my nose is dumping into and everything is clear. So I hope that we can get this tube out today. It is very uncomfortable. More importantly, I hope that it has done the job expected. I definitely do not want  to go through this again. So for now, I wait for chest xray.

Until next time...

Post Surgery - Day 9 and Day 10

Day 9
So I went from eating to no food or drink. I was not having bowel movements. I had to get suppository to produce a bowel movement. The last time I had anything was lunch. Since then I have had nothing. I know I'm going to need some nutrition soon. We will see what happens in the morning. Needless to say, I'm not going home.


Day 10
Well I was in for a surprise this morning. The doctors came in and told me they need to put a tube in my stomach via my nose. This process will empty the contents out of my stomach. Hopefully, this will give my bowels a rest and then be able to naturally have bowel movements. The process of putting this tube in my nose is not fun. In fact, it is downright painful and uncomfortable. I'm not sure how long this tube will be in but right now I don't know how long I can endure this. My throat is sore. I don't think I can sleep like this. I'm miserable and very disappointed. I don't know when I will be able to go home. Until next time....

Post Surgery - Day 7 and Day 8

I have been eating regular food the past two days. It has been great but my stomach has starting hurt. My surgeon told me it is to be expected. With my body not having solid food for so long, it's going through an adjustment period. I have not vomited so that's good. Still in hospital. I hope that Saturday I can be released. My oldest son ask my wife every morning if I'm coming home today. I miss being around my family so much! At the same time, I want to make sure that I'm well so that I do not have to return.  I have had time to think and reflect. My goal is to finish writing a book I started over a month ago. Start volunteering in my area. Get involved in my community more. I will make a difference in someones life. Until next time...

Post Surgery - Day 6

I feel like Ice Cube - Today was a good day. I went from a clear liquid diet to a full liquid diet. Passing gas and having bowel movements, things are progressing. Still have soreness but not as much. Able to take pain medication by mouth. Tomorrow, I may be eating solid food. The goal is to be released by Saturday. Until next time...

Post Surgery - Day 5

Last night had to be the storm before the rainbow. I was miserable. I had chills but yet was running a fever. I hardly got any sleep. I was on the verge of tears. My stomach was bloated. I had gas rumbling in my stomach. I did not see relief in sight.Because of the condition I was in, I had a chest xray done last night. They gave me depository to reduce my fever. I was calling my nurse every 2 hours to get my morphine shot. I somehow survived the night. In the morning after the doctors saw me, I did pass gas several times. I also had a bowel movement. Those are monumental tasks completed but I still have bloatness so I'm apprehensive about taking anything in right now. I did take my daily walk today. Hopefully tomorrow I will be confident enough to take in some Italian ice. Until next time...

Post Surgery - Day 4 Update (PLEASE CLOSE MY DOOR ALL THE WAY)

Since my last post, I have experienced gas pains and bloating in my stomach. My doctor, who performed the surgery, came and check on me about 20 minutes ago. I told her how I was feeling. She told me that it is to be expected since the connection between my small intestine and colon are swollen. She is not going to take me off of sipping but I must regulate it. I did before she had to tell me. My spirits are not shaken because I have faith that I will turn the corner soon and pass gas. Right now, I'm thankful that I'm at a place to have faith.
Now, I haven't touched on this issue but I have been having nurse problems. For some strange reason over the weekend, my nurse at night would not close my door all the way. It really upset me because when she comes in to my room, the door was closed.  It happened Friday consistently and you would think after I called you and asked you to come back and close the door, you would close it from that point on. Nope! So Saturday, I had her right a note to put on my door that says "PLEASE CLOSE MY DOOR ALL THE WAY". The note is on the door but guess what? She still didn't close the door all the way so I would have to tell her, 'Hey, please close my door all the way' and she would reply with 'close your door all the way?'. I was truly befuddled. Sunday, she did better but I still had to remind her. Now today, I'm dealing with a different nurse but the same problem. My question is: They are smart. I mean they are Registered Nurses. I'm truly confused. What must I do? I thought about taking it to a personnel level and finding out who their supervisor is.  I may have to resort to that if I cannot get satisfaction. I truly feel like I'm in the middle of a Seinfeld episode. Until next time: PLEASE CLOSE MY DOOR ALL THE WAY.

4th day post Surgery

For those not familiar, I'm keeping a diary of my life with Crohn's disease. I started it the day of my surgery. My surgery was needed because the Crohn's disease had scarred tissue in a couple of areas in my small intestine and part of my colon. If Crohn's is new to you, check my post on yesterday in which I explain what Crohn's is. I'm not a doctor but the information provide was through sources on the web and my experience.

Today has been challenging. For one, I'm sleepy but it's difficult getting sleep in the hospital when they are checking your vitals, changing your medicine, etc. When I do fall asleep, it's only for maybe an hour and somebody is waking me up. They always ask what is my pain level on a scale from 1 to 10, 10 being the highest. My pain level right now is a 5. It is usually the highest when I first wake up because the morphine is not in my system. Before today, I had to administer the morphine myself, every 8 minutes. It was done that way initially because after surgery, when I needed pain medicine I would not have to wait for the nurse to give it to me. It had its drawbacks obviously. Now I call the nurse for my morphine. She will give it to me in my IV and it will last for roughly 2 hours. It's critical that I move around every day to help with the soreness my body. I walked around the floor for 30 minutes (about 11 laps). I feel better in spite of the soreness. The doctor came to check on me this morning and my incisions look fine. Before I can be released, I need to be able to move and walk around, eat and take medication by mouth. Right now, I can do 1 out 3. I'm sipping juices and taking medication through my IV. What I'm waiting for is to pass gas. Once I pass gas, my digestive system will be beginning to function. Once that happens, I'm on way to eating again. I have not had solid food in over a month. I'm progressing but still have a ways to go before I can go home. My goal is to be outta here by Thursday. Pray for me that I pass gas by tomorrow.

3rd day after surgery

It's rough in the morning because I cannot administer the morphine to myself at night. I'm able to have enough morphine in my system so that I can sleep for a little bit but once I'm up, the pain begins. I was able to get my catheter taken out this morning (which was an experience). Being that the surgery was my first time, all that I'm going through is uncharted waters. Dumb me, when the doctor sees me this morning and tells me that my catheter will be removed, I'm thinking that they will put me to sleep to do it. I know I'm showing my ignorance but I just did not imagine I would be witnessing the nurse pull it out.  But that's what happen on the count of 3. Anyway, I am able to sip. So as I type my entry, I'm sipping very slowly on cranberry juice. Very refreshing! I did take 3 laps around the floor so I'm getting the activity end. Hopefully by tomorrow evening I will be back on clear liquids. Never has the anticipation for drinking chicken or beef broth been greater than now. I talked with my wife and sons. I miss them so much and I hope I can be released in 3 or 4 days. I'm just ready to be around my family in the comfort of our home. But for now, I'm ready to watch the Black and Yellow win another Super Bowl! This is not how I envisioned watching the game a month ago but at least I can watch. Until next time blog.

What is Crohn's Disease?

I started this blog to not only provide sanity for myself but to all so help others. There maybe people like me that may have symptoms and don't know. For me, it took approximately 10 years to find out that I had crohn's disease. During that time as I stated before, symptoms were not consistent and Crohn's is not on the radar for many doctors. There are other diseases that are similar to crohn's but for my purpose, I will try my best to explain what crohn's is. I will be using information from medical sources as well as giving my input in red. What I have found is that Crohn's reacts differently with everyone. If I may, it is site-specific. Having though a basic understanding will help you. The information I will be providing is from The National Digestive Disease Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC)

 What is Crohn's Disease?
Crohn’s disease is an ongoing disorder that causes inflammation of the digestive tract, also referred to as the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Crohn’s disease can affect any area of the GI tract, from the mouth to the anus, but it most commonly affects the lower part of the small intestine, called the ileum. The swelling extends deep into the lining of the affected organ. The swelling can cause pain and can make the intestines empty frequently, resulting in diarrhea (I did not have diarrhea but have met a few people who had diarrhea).
Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease, the general name for diseases that cause swelling in the intestines. Because the symptoms of Crohn’s disease are similar to other intestinal disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis, it can be difficult to diagnose. Ulcerative colitis causes inflammation and ulcers in the top layer of the lining of the large intestine (I had an ulcer in my small intestine, which confused the first Gastrointestinal Tract doctor I saw. He, literally, was confused and told me so. Prescribed me a steroid, that within 2 days, reacted adversely to my body causing lesions in my legs. Needless to say I stopped taking the medicine, left him and my family doctor referred me to a doctor at Emory hospital). In Crohn’s disease, all layers of the intestine may be involved, and normal healthy bowel can be found between sections of diseased bowel.

What Causes Crohn's Disease?
Several theories exist about what causes Crohn’s disease, but none have been proven. The human immune system is made from cells and different proteins that protect people from infection. The most popular theory is that the body’s immune system reacts abnormally in people with Crohn’s disease, mistaking bacteria, foods, and other substances for being foreign. The immune system’s response is to attack these “invaders.” During this process, white blood cells accumulate in the lining of the intestines, producing chronic inflammation, which leads to ulcerations and bowel injury. Essentially, my immune system is fighting an opponent that does not exist. Scientists do not know if the abnormality in the functioning of the immune system in people with Crohn’s disease is a cause, or a result, of the disease. Research shows that the inflammation seen in the GI tract of people with Crohn’s disease involves several factors: the genes the patient has inherited, the immune system itself, and the environment. Foreign substances, also referred to as antigens, are found in the environment. One possible cause for inflammation may be the body’s reaction to these antigens, or that the antigens themselves are the cause for the inflammation. Scientists have found that high levels of a protein produced by the immune system, called tumor necrosis factor (TNF), are present in people with Crohn’s disease. There again the symptoms and reactions to crohn's is different for each individual.

What are the symptoms?
The most common symptoms of Crohn’s disease are abdominal pain, often in the lower right area, and diarrhea(I had the abdominal pain. It ranged from minor to unbearable. The past few months, when I had a pain, it would literally bring me to my knees. The pain only lasted for roughly 2 minutes because I would time them. It felt like 30 minutes). Rectal bleeding, weight loss, arthritis, skin problems, and fever may also occur(In the early stages, I experienced arthritis. The arthritis left and ushered in the abdominal pain. I also had weight loss. Within the past year, I have lost over 50 pounds. The most I have ever weighed in my life has been 170).  Bleeding may be serious and persistent, leading to anemia. Children with Crohn’s disease may suffer delayed development and stunted growth. The range and severity of symptoms varies. My fear now is that one of my sons may have the Crohn gene.

Crohn's was successfully diagnosed for me by an MRI. The first GI doctor found the ulcer by performing a colonoscopy. Either method is effective. They also perform blood tests. I would say blood tests probably provide the best assessment just because the amount of blood they have taken from me. Every doctor's visit, they were taking blood. I never have blood in my stool so for me there was not internal bleeding.

What are complications of Crohn's Disease?

The most common complication is blockage of the intestine. Blockage occurs because the disease tends to thicken the intestinal wall with swelling and scar tissue, narrowing the passage (This happened in me which is why surgery was necessary). Crohn’s disease may also cause sores, or ulcers, that tunnel through the affected area into surrounding tissues, such as the bladder, vagina, or skin. (I was lucky on this. My surgeon told me that the Crohn's was trying to attach itself to my bladder. Had that happened, it would have been very bad for me because my waste would be going through my bladder).  The areas around the anus and rectum are often involved. The tunnels, called fistulas, are a common complication and often become infected. Sometimes fistulas can be treated with medicine, but in some cases they may require surgery. In addition to fistulas, small tears called fissures may develop in the lining of the mucus membrane of the anus (I had a fissure back in 2001).

Nutritional complications are common in Crohn’s disease. Deficiencies of proteins, calories, and vitamins are well documented. These deficiencies may be caused by inadequate dietary intake, intestinal loss of protein, or poor absorption, also referred to as malabsorption.

This was the most frustrating part. I was eating but was unable to absorb the nutrients from the food I was eating. Also, when you are having abdominal pains and you associate it with eating, you tend to stop eating as much in fear of  post pain.

Treatment for Crohn's vary. The common thread is that what ever is used to treat Crohn's will lower your immune system. The surgery has cleaned me up internally. Once healed, I can go back to living a normal life and have a better quality of life. I have not had that for some years now. In order to control Crohn's, I will have to the medicine Remicade which is administered through an IV every 8 weeks. I will take this for the rest of my life.

I hope this helps shed some light on the disease if you have never heard of it. Or if you have been having issues similar to what has been noted, you can at least have the dialogue with you primary physician.

2nd day after Surgery - Update

My surgeon stopped to check on me this afternoon. I'm feeling not a sore as I was this morning but I 'm still taking in morphine every 8 minutes. What is promising: the surgeon told me that based on my stats (they take blood from me at least twice a day), tomorrow I can begin sipping liquids. The walking has definitely helped me because I feel better. I may actually take another couple of laps this evening. The nurses are telling me that being active will help in the recovery time. I'm so ready to get home to be with my wife and boys. Hopefully I can be released by this Thursday. I'm thankful and very appreciative of all the prayers that everyone has said for me. Words can not explain the emotions that overwhelm me in knowing the support I have near and afar. I'm very grateful for the response sent to me and all I can do in return is the same: use the Power of prayer. God is real and prayer changes things.

2nd day after Surgery

I'm startingg to feel better even though I'm sore as hell. Made 5 laps around the floor! I still have pain. Taking morphine every 8 minutes. I'm now going to sit in this recliner in my room and torture myself: Watch the Food Network Channel. I have not had solid food for about 3 weeks now. My food has been given to me in an IV. I have been compiling recipes from the Food Network chefs and Betty Crocker website. When I'm able to finally eat. It is on!!!!!!!!

1st day after surgery

Yesterday evening I went through surgery in which my doctor removed a couple of areas in my small intestine that had been affected by crohns. I will spare all the details but I am extremely sore now. I was able to make two laps around the floor I am on but I was exhausted afterwards. I don't know when I will be able to get back on clear liquids. I hope it's by Sunday so at least I can watch the Super Bowl and be able to eat Italian ice (that's the only solid I can eat). Anyway, I getting sleepy so I will sign off for now.

Crohn's Disease

This is my first time talking about my bout with Crohn's disease. I was diagnosed with Crohn's about a year ago but I believe it started about 10 years ago. When I reflect back those years ago, I  would have stomach problems (pains, cramps) but would relate it to something that I ate. The pains were not consistent. I may experience pains for maybe a week and then would not have any for months. This went on for the next 6 or 7 years. Over the past 3 years, the pains started getting progressively worse to the point that my primary phyiscian sent me to a GI specialist for diagnose. After going through a colonoscopy, the GI specialist saw something in my small intestine but was confused as to what it was. He saw a ulcer but it was in an area of the small intestine where crohn's would be. They gave me a steroid that totally reacted adversely towards me so I had to stop taking it. My primary doctor then sent me to another GI. She had an MRI done on me stomach and told me you have crohn's. We had to treat the ulcer first. During the time of treating the ulcer, the doctor told me what my options were for treating crohns. All the medicines that are used to treat crohns lowers your immune system. I did not want to take steroids and so I subjected myself to dealing with the pain without getting treatment for about 8 months after being diagnosed. I finally could no longer deal with the pain and so I went back to my second GI and we started reviewing options for treatment. Because I had waited, the crohns had spread in my small intestine and some of my colon. My GI recommended that Remicade was the best option for treatment. Surgery would be necessary if the Remicade did not seem to work. Remicade helps to control crohns but does not heal scarred tissue. As it turns out, I have scarred tissue in my small intestine.
So my first Remicade treatment was on November 24, 2010. I still had pains and I was told that it's different for everyone as far as responding to the medication. My next treatment was on December 9, 2010. I started feeling less stomach pains but it was inconsistent. Some days were good and some were bad. What I did notice is that I started having alot of gas or acid reflux. So less stomach pains and more gas pains. The gas in my stomach became loud and painful. After my third treatment of Remicade on January 7, I had no stomach pains and felt great. Then I ate some food and the gas pain was unbearable. When I described it to my wife, she likened it to having contractions in pregnancy. Now I don't about that but it was painful. The pain would be on a cycle. It got to a point that no medication would help with the gas.
 I've been in the hospital now for a week and half because I cannot take in anything orally. So now here I am in the hospital waiting for surgery to remove about a foot of my small intestine. My surgery was scheduled for this morning but now it has been pushed back to this afternoon. I have been on a liquid diet for over two weeks now. I can't wait to eat.

I will get back with you after surgery. Wish me luck.