Stanford again
Sunday February 08th 2009, 7:44 pm
Filed under: Crohn's flare

I now appreciate IVs; NG tubes are something I aspire never to do again.

The ER doctor, asked how long it would be in, gave me an answer for me to approve of rather than a reality check; he said it could all be over in thirty seconds. Pull the gas out of the stomach and be done fast, I guess.

Four hours later, when they moved me out of there into a room, I’d noticed that he never could quite make eye contact with me again all the times he went past, going from patient to patient.  I hope he noticed that himself: dude. Tell it like it is.  It does help us both when you do.

The stoma nurses only work Mon-Fri and I needed to replace my seal. I was telling my nurse tonight that I’d only had it demonstrated, that I hadn’t ever done it, and it turned out an older nurse was listening outside the door (your prayers at work again) who was not a stoma nurse but whose husband wore a bag.  She asked if she could come in and help, and help she very much did.

So I’m about to spend the second night with that tube going through my nose to my stomach to vacuum out blood and liquid, but the obstruction finally suddenly started to clear about an hour ago.   I don’t know if that means they’ll let me go home again tomorrow; I can only hope.  The surgeon earlier said it would be a few days, though.

And me with no yarn.  Mom offered to fix that for tomorrow.  Go Mom!  I can try knitting a little again.


42 Comments so far
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Oh, Alison. Big giant hugs and well wishes from up north. This too shall pass. xoxoxoxoxo

Comment by Romi 02.08.09 @ 7:58 pm

I heard on someones blog about a knitting emergency kit you can buy to keep in the car maybe I can find it by googling.Do you like green? and alpaca? I would like to knit something for you.(((((Alison))))))sending prayers and get well wishes your way.Darcy & Tom

Comment by Darcy 02.08.09 @ 8:04 pm

Double ouch. And no yarn? I pray for home and yarn tomorrow!

Comment by Renee 02.08.09 @ 8:06 pm

Everytime you start thinking about knitting, I cheer.
Hugs.

Comment by Sherry in Idaho 02.08.09 @ 8:12 pm

Obstruction? What happened?! But whateverit is clearing up is a Very Good Thing. And the older nurse who’s husband had a bag just happening to be there? That is definitely karma at work.

Comment by Carol 02.08.09 @ 8:22 pm

Yeesh, what a mess. I’m sorry that there’s been another setback, and pray it is cleared up, so you can move ONWARDS.

Comment by Kristine 02.08.09 @ 8:27 pm

I was so worried about you today I could barely eat my dinner, knowing you were going through that.
I hope they let you stay until the “plumbing” works properly. 🙂 I know you don’t want to pick up an infection…but you need to get things working properly, first! If getting you better meant I’d have to give you my last skein of yarn, I’d do it…
Sending prayers and love and strength.

Comment by karin 02.08.09 @ 8:31 pm

I am so happy to know that there are good people taking care of you. Alex had a dr once that should not have answered any questions. If you don’t exactly know then do not guess. One or two pieces needed for the biopsy turned into six.

Comment by sonya 02.08.09 @ 8:51 pm

Hi Alison,
I’ve been following along almost every day. I do feel like my comments are going to get boring because of their sameness despite the twists and turns of your recovery. I guess I am sparing you the extra work of reading more so you can rest? Well, our prayers are with you,
Krys

Comment by krys 02.08.09 @ 9:23 pm

There was a time when most nurses could help with a new seal, before being a stoma nurse was a specialty. Glad one of the “old hands” was there for you. In a way, it’s like knitting: there is theory, and then there are the tricks of the trade. Rest well tonight, my friend.

Comment by Barbara-Kay 02.08.09 @ 9:23 pm

It is indeed the move of the hand of God that the nurse was outside your door who had, to offer, exactly what you needed! He is faithful and just.

I continue to lift you up before our Father in Heaven.

Comment by Renna 02.08.09 @ 9:29 pm

As I mentioned before, my dad says that the tube down the nose is the worst. (Worse than having colon cancer chopped out.) I suppose having a tube in your nose makes knitting with something stuck to your finger look comfortable. But you will get through this. Ralph’s sister had her colon removed at the age of 8, and she’s his older sister, so this was a long time ago. Since then, she has very quietly helped all sorts of people deal with similar problems. She never mentions it, but Ralph’s mom has gotten used to hearing people say, “Oh, you’re Nedra’s mother? She saved my life.” At the moment she’s serving a mission in Mongolia. (She did take the precaution of marrying a doctor, so she has one at hand.) Someday you, like Nedra and that nurse, will be the old hand, calmly telling people that life will go on, and that they can cope. In the meantime . . . this is all painful and icky, and you REALLY deserve chocolate!!!

Comment by LauraN 02.08.09 @ 9:44 pm

Yes, you WILL get through this, and you WILL get better! We pray to God for it, and there is a lot going for you, my friend. However, I do hesitate to send you any humor while you have that tube in your nose. I’m saving it up for you.
Don

Comment by Don Meyer 02.08.09 @ 10:11 pm

Alison, if that doctor could not make eye contact, he doesn’t deserve to be in the profession nor have you as a patient.

I do hope you will feel better soon. Bless Mom for bringing you your yarn tomorrow.

Hugs and continued prayers for you.

Comment by Joansie 02.08.09 @ 10:31 pm

Knitting a little. Yay!

Comment by RobinM 02.08.09 @ 10:38 pm

Sending you love.
Kelli

Comment by Kelli 02.08.09 @ 11:02 pm

even if it is the few days before you can come home again – look at it that it will give you a chance to heal a bit more but maybe you can pick the nurses brains and have them help you do all the things you will have to do when you are home so it will be starting to make more sense…

did that make sense lol — it is after 1am here

Wish I were close enough to run over with some yarn …

OH are you up for some good news — I am a great aunt again – my niece had a little girl this weekend Stell and she is beautiful!!

as always – lots of prayers going out – soft hugs and lots of love heading your way …

Comment by rho 02.08.09 @ 11:04 pm

Kinda makes you wonder why they are in such a hurry to shove folks out the doors of the hospital these days. Better to spend the dollars and have better outcomes in the first place! Hope you get “all fixed up” this time. Your system has to adjust to having food again…period. You’ve been through such a lot that, like with Warner’s tummy, you have to get *it* working right again.
Rest. Knit if you can. And *yay* for the old hand helping you out.

Comment by Karen 02.09.09 @ 12:26 am

It’s always nice when what you need just happens to be there in a stranger. God is watching and providing.

I never gave a thought to what happens to gas once the colon is gone and you can’t toot anymore. My goodness!

I’m SO glad the obstruction is clearing up. I’ve only had a tube up my nose once and I don’t EVER want to go there again! I feel for you sweetie!

I hope things work better when you get home this time. Like any new routine that becomes part of your life, gotta work the bugs out. We rarely learn anything instantly.

Hope those staples are out by now? You have officially joined what we call the “zipper club”. Not that any of us want to be unzipped anytime soon! heh!

Hope things go better from now on and you get some knitting in tomorrow.

Love & Hugs & Prayers,

Comment by Gretchen 02.09.09 @ 12:30 am

You know the color the sky gets just after sunset, about 40 degrees up from the horizon? I think of that as cerulean blue. Now think of the color of clouds in such a sky–there’s a pale peach they get to just before going gray. Not as showy as the bright pink that’s kind of transilluminated. But the fading peach color is subtle and beautiful, and evanescent.

That cerulean blue and the fading peach are two colors I love. Partly because they’re so beautiful. Partly because they aren’t just a color, but a moment.

–Lee

Comment by Lee & Phyllie 02.09.09 @ 1:11 am

So glad that nurse was on hand and cared enough to help! Hang in there. Sending you hugs.

Comment by AmyS 02.09.09 @ 1:38 am

Alison, in this doctor’s case I don’t believe he offered a knowingly false, comforting reassurance but rather made a genuine, huge error! Certainty can be dangerous. “I don’t know” is often the correct answer but here I believe his lack of eye contact is a way of avoiding saying “I was so very wrong and can’t make myself admit that and say I’m sorry.” Those words would help you both so much.

Hope the yarn brings some relief from that boredom.

Comment by LynnM 02.09.09 @ 1:54 am

I’ve been reading and following along. Was waiting for your update. I hope you’re feeling some relief, and are pain free…

Comment by Amanda 02.09.09 @ 3:56 am

I hope the obstruction goes quickly and lets you get on with the task of recovering! I’m praying for you.

Comment by Genny 02.09.09 @ 4:03 am

Oh, my. Hope you arent in too much pain. Sorry you had such a tough time with this. Thank God you have such a supportive, sweet family to be there with you.:) Rest and heal my dear.

Bev

Comment by Bev 02.09.09 @ 6:03 am

Oh, how I wish MDs would understand that we not only want to know what’s going on, some of us NEED to know! It’s much easier to deal with a known quantity, than to let our imagination run wild. So glad you’re thinking about knitting, though. That’s such a good sign. Hey, Mom, run to the hospital with that yarn and those needles! Alison feels good enough to knit! Well, at least to consider knitting…

Still praying…

Comment by Pegi 02.09.09 @ 6:36 am

Well, at least you can add one more thing to your list of medical stuff you’ve experienced… ?? Prayers for a very speedy recovery and return home!

Comment by Channon 02.09.09 @ 7:05 am

Get out of jail/hospital vibes coming
your way!! Perhaps the gift shop
should stock small knitting projects
in little baggies??

Comment by Sue H 02.09.09 @ 7:55 am

Sending you prayers and love!

Comment by Eileen 02.09.09 @ 9:54 am

Aren’t “coincidences” wonderful? Gald you want yarn and have a mother to fetch it for you.

Comment by Ruth 02.09.09 @ 9:55 am

Alison, even if you can’t knit, just holding the yarn and fondling it will help you feel better.

So, will you need to have Tums or something like that to help with gas in the tummy to there’s no more Elephant Tubes?

Please, Richard, don’t post that photo. Maybe a photo of her at home stting or sleeping on the couch would be better.

Soft hugs to Alison, Love, Nancy W.

Comment by Nancy 02.09.09 @ 10:33 am

I was out-of-town/state for a few days, and couldn’t wait to get back to hear how you’ve been. I was hopin’ for much better, and I’m not fussin’, but wouldn’t it be a great requirement for every doctor and nurse to have to have a real heart and lifetime truth serum before being allowed to practice!

Still prayin’; feel better soon. 🙂

Comment by Toni Smoky-Mountains 02.09.09 @ 11:02 am

Such a rough patch you are in. Sorry to hear of your continuing ordeal. Hoping and praying for this to pass soon.

Comment by rebecca jc 02.09.09 @ 12:13 pm

any possibility I could come visit and bring yarn? – I work about 4 miles from stanford….

M

Comment by mary seabrook 02.09.09 @ 1:27 pm

I’m thinking of you, hon.

Comment by Diana Troldahl 02.09.09 @ 1:30 pm

I hope things are going well today, and that your are knitting away!

My son and daughter both had NG tubes as babies. I didn’t much care for them either.

Comment by Momo Fali 02.09.09 @ 1:44 pm

Oh, I hope that the yarn made it and that you’re feeling well enough to knit now. And let’s all just vote for no more NG tubes.

Comment by Jocelyn 02.09.09 @ 4:05 pm

I had one of those once when I woke up after a surgery. Nasty surprise. Hate the things, although I guess I have to admit they have their uses. Hope yours is out by now.

Comment by Lene 02.09.09 @ 4:57 pm

You just keep getting better. You are in my thoughts and prayers frequently. You will have to post a picture of the first project you finish now that you are through the worst part of your recovery. 🙂

Comment by LDSVenus 02.09.09 @ 8:16 pm

So Alison, Did I ever mention I dated someone who had the same surgery as you? He was pain free. You’ll be fine in due time! Just relax and let people care for you!

Robin

Comment by Robin 02.09.09 @ 8:32 pm

Hi Alison,

I am so sorry to know you have had a set-back. It does sound like it is getting better, though. When we can think about our knitting, that means we are really on the road to recovery. I am so glad you have caring people around, helping you. It will get better. Just keep thinking positive thoughts. You are in my prayers.

Well Wishes for you,

Pam

Comment by Pam Alexander 02.09.09 @ 8:34 pm

I ditto Sherry, every time you mention knitting I cheer too! YAY! I tells me that Alison is back!
I had a surgeon tell me that the surgery wouldn’t be that bad. I’ve only been in that much pain one other time in my life. I told him in the follow-up to stop lying to people, that way they’d like him a bit better afterward.

Comment by Alicia 02.10.09 @ 11:13 am



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