Double Baggin it

This last week I joined the double baggers.
4 years come January I had a urostomy done. Since then I have been taking in as much as possible, only simple unprocessed food. I have used, as far as possible only herbal remedies, and by that I mean stuff I can find mostly in my kitchen.
Turmeric tea, and Jamaican dogwood have been my principle pain relief for my spinal injury: MAGIC.
In those 4 years I have only had one urinary tract infection, and that was in the first couple of months.

Just Woke Up

In the summer the surgeon agreed all other avenues had been explored, the time had come for another diversion: this time the bowel.
On the morning of the operation the surgeon had trouble getting a working vein, so I was put to sleep via gas. 2 1/2hrs later I woke up feeling like a decorated Christmas tree. Instead of the usual white gauge patches on the failed needle sites I had 7 bright green ones. There was a blue cannula looking like baubles hanging off one arm and red allergy bands, and white identity bands on both wrists, looked like the tinsel. I even had stockings under the tree lol. I don't do Christmas someone was having a laugh.
As you can see my lifestyle paid off, concentrated doses of super foods in the run up to this had me bounce out of it within hours. I was fortunate in that it could be done by keyhole surgery. Little scarring on that side so no need for a gaping hole that would form another zip line down the front, Just a couple of extra punctures closed with the dreaded staples.
Again there was little pain relief after the first few hours, aside from paracetamol and my turmeric tea.
Stoma number 2 was named by the following morning. She had a cavernous mouth and knows how to blow, so it had to be Jonah the whale (I know it's a boys name; but I don't care).

Jonah

I had to stay in an extra day as the doctor came round so early I hadn't had chance to prove I could care for my new appendage. I got out in 3 days instead of 5: result!! Not bad going for an old bird who hits 60 next year.
Jonah is so cavernous the nurse had to bring some convex bags out to me today, as yesterday I couldn't get a seal. 3 bags in as many hours. I'll give them emptyable bags, emptied between the skin and the glue I was well fed up, and skin sore. The bloating can get uncomfortable, It makes you look and feel 6 months pregnant.
Now I just have to wait for the stomach wall to heal so I can fully get on with life again.
Anyone else out there double baggin it?

Dec2021 Not 1 infection since end stoma placed: just a little emergency surgery 1 year on. I healed to well and virtually closed the stoma, making it un useable. I was reopened in short order; but skin sensitivity on the left side meant using copious amounts of glue remover until the last 12 months when it has finally calmed down. I have a small but noticeable hernia from having to move just three weeks after the surgery.  The hernia can cause some explosive leaks, because it peels the back off at times. Drinking at ;east 4 litres a day has played a large part in keeping me infection free. Double bagging it has given me back a lot of independence; although I cannot claim to have a fine body shape any more. How can you have a flat tum when you have 2 holes straight through yours stomach wall. Life carries on today and I can still wear a smile

Urinary bypass Recovery

I had my urinary bypass in late January. I have to thank my surgeon for moving hell and high water to make sure my operation wasn't cancelled.

The anaesthetist decided I was to have epidural combined with a knock out infusion due to my many allergies.

I went to theatre at 8am and arrived in the high dependency unit at 4.30pm. The first thing I was aware of was my husband with a very relieved look that I had finally made it through.

I spent 3 days there with the epidural under constant inspection. The extraordinary thing was the checking of where the epidural was working. No pin tests, just an aerosol can, and depending on whether the spray felt warm or cold to me told them how it was working and my position adjusted accordingly. The epidural hadn't gone down as far as they wanted it too due to the damage in my lower spine; which was why they were testing its effectiveness so frequently.

My Mainline Direct Into Jugular Vein 

I moved to the urology ward once I started moving for myself, and was aware of what was going on.
I  spent the next couple of days in the bathroom either sat on the toilet, or hanging my head in it, and a couple of occasions where I needed to be a contortionist  as both ends were active at the same time.  During those days there was a distinct smell to the whole ward as it seemed everyone was doing the same thing, and even closing my room door was no relief.

The time had arrived for the epidural to come out and standard pain relief to begin. I had enjoyed my breakfast for the first time since the operation. I took the last mouthful of rice krispies and the pain doctor was there to give me my 1st dose of pain relief. Dose swallowed the epidural was then taken out. Lunch time came and I had a lovely meal which again I was keeping down. Enter the pain doctor with the second dose of pain relief, 2 syringes of liquid taken orally. The doctor was leaving the room and I projectile vomited everything I had eaten that day in a totally undigested state. The rice krispie that had still been in my mouth at the first dose was deposited on the top of the lot. The doctor had me in bed and checking my vital signs so fast I wondered what was going on. I had had an allergic reaction to yet another drug. The doctor couldn't prescribe my own medication as it is not on his allowed list, so it was a good job I had taken my own stock. As it turned out I needed very little pain relief as the pain i did have was no worse than a cut finger compared to the pain I had been in previously.

Due to my disabilities the medical team had expected me to be in a minimum of 10 days; but more like 14 days. I was very happy to beat everyone and get home on day 8 post op.

Now the real healing and getting healthier began. More on that another time.