Had Appt With Dr. Smith

13 years 4 months ago - 13 years 4 months ago #34787 by mmc
Replied by mmc on topic Had Appt With Dr. Smith
Well, the walking beforehand is good for your overall health but isn't what I meant. Walking afterward can help wake the intestines up. They pretty much shut down due to the surgery and the idea is try to get them to wake up and begin functioning as soon as you can.
The gum chewing stimulates the salivary glands and has been shown to also send signals to the rest of the digestive system to prepare for duty.

On the drink, I just had a colonscopy yesterday so I had to drink three bottles (1.5 night before and 1.5 morning of) of magnesium citrate (which I assume is similar to your halflytely). I drank a gulp of the mag citrate and then a gulp of water. Made it all go a bit easier.

Also, ask your doc or call his nurse about taking something for nausea if it gets too bad.

My instructions said drink at least 16 oz of water along with the mag citrate and it really helped me A LOT.

Mike

Age 54
10/31/06 dx CIS (TisG3) non-invasive (at 47)
9/19/08 TURB/TUIP dx Invasive T2G3
10/8/08 RC neobladder(at 49)
2/15/13 T4G3N3M1 distant metastases(at 53)
9/2013 finished chemo -cancer free again
1/2014 ct scan results....distant mets
2/2014 ct result...spread to liver, kidneys, and lymph...

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13 years 4 months ago #34786 by Flo
Replied by Flo on topic Had Appt With Dr. Smith
okay so Mike why gum??? i understand walking have increased my walking over the last month to 4 miles a day to prep for surgery and i understand about the pain meds but do not understand gum chewing. And one more question to anyone who wants to answer what happens if you can not drink all the halflytely?? I have drank over half and between the antibiotics and that stuff am so very nauseated i am worried if i drink much more i will puke.

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13 years 4 months ago #34783 by CatherineH
Replied by CatherineH on topic Had Appt With Dr. Smith
I did my colon prep in the hotel also for my Vandy surgery last Feb. Not a pleasant experience no matter where you are. The next morning at 5:30 my sister dropped me and my friend (who is also a nurse) at the sign that said "Main Hospital Entrance" then went back to the hotel for a couple of hours. When we went inside and up to the 3rd floor, there was no one in sight. Finally a young woman intern got off the elevator and asked if she could help us. After showing her my paperwork as to where I was told to report, she informed us that we we in the VA Hospital! She said it was too complicated to tell us how to walk to the Medical Center so she walked with us far enough to get to the right building. Checked in at the desk at 5:55 for my 6:00 report time.

Morale of the story: Don't get lost on your way to surgery!

Best wishes... Catherine

Best wishes... Catherine

TURBT 1/21/10 at age 55
Dx: T2aN0M0 Primary Bladder Adenocarcinoma
Partial Cystectomy 2/25/10
Vanderbilt Medical Center
Nashville, TN

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13 years 4 months ago #34781 by mmc
Replied by mmc on topic Had Appt With Dr. Smith
Best of luck Flo! Don't forget to walk afterwards. Even if it is just a little bit. It is the single biggest thing you can do to speed your recovery. Also, chew gum after surgery and and don't go crazy with the pain meds. The narcotics have an effect on the intestines. You need to keep on top of the pain but not be completely numb.

It would be great if your husband can report to us but we understand if he stays right there in the hospital with you.

We'll all be cheering you on and thinking of you.

Mike
:)

Age 54
10/31/06 dx CIS (TisG3) non-invasive (at 47)
9/19/08 TURB/TUIP dx Invasive T2G3
10/8/08 RC neobladder(at 49)
2/15/13 T4G3N3M1 distant metastases(at 53)
9/2013 finished chemo -cancer free again
1/2014 ct scan results....distant mets
2/2014 ct result...spread to liver, kidneys, and lymph...

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13 years 4 months ago #34780 by Flo
Replied by Flo on topic Had Appt With Dr. Smith
Thank you for all the well wishes, stories, information and advice. I am in the hotel now doing my colon prep, had my stoma marking this morning spoke with the stoma education nurse she was very nice, caring and informative. Spoke to Dr. Smith got all my questions answered. Feel a little better. Now it is just trying to not get sick and throw up with the antibiotics and halflytely without any real food crackers would help alot with the nausea. it will probably be awhile before i get back on line but will let you know as soon as i can how things go tomorrow. Hubby may have to get on with questions and if he does he will also give you an update. Again You have all be super great Thanks, Flo

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13 years 4 months ago #34776 by CatherineH
Replied by CatherineH on topic Had Appt With Dr. Smith
Good morning, Flo... I know you must be a bundle of nerves with your surgery looming. Know you are going in with lots of positive thoughts from people here who understand and care, and who have come out the other side as these wonderful people who share their amazing and courageous stories on this site.

Wishing you the best possible outcome and hope to hear from you soon!

Best wishes... Catherine

TURBT 1/21/10 at age 55
Dx: T2aN0M0 Primary Bladder Adenocarcinoma
Partial Cystectomy 2/25/10
Vanderbilt Medical Center
Nashville, TN

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