Surgery Friday 3/2/07 for Indiana Pouch

[Ellen M]

Hello to all, I have been reading all I could. My surgery is Friday. I have decided to get Indiana Pouch, a very difficult decision for me. After reading I get so depressed and scared on how my life is going to change. I am worried about the pain afterwards. The operation is in Sloan Kettering and my doctor is Dr. Bochner. Any words of support will be greatly appeciated. Ellen

[lesson]

I wish you all the best...hope the surgery goes well.

I have a Kock and love having the continent pouch.

[squid56]

I LOVE my Indiana pouch! It is over 15 years old and I can do just about everything I want to do. It is BIG surgery so there will be pain afterwards, but that is normal. You will get good drugs to deal with it. In the beginning you will need to follow the schedule for "training" the pouch to hold increasing amounts of urine, If you are religious about sticking to it you will get the best outcome. It takes time to get it to the point I am at. I sleep all night and only have to cath it about 4-6 times a day depending on how much I drink. Do bring a pad of paper to the hospital with you to write down questions you may have as it is easy to forget what they are when the doctor comes to see you. Also bring some hard candies to suck on as well as lip balm and anything else that makes you feel comfortable, like a particular lotion, baby powder, etc. I originally had the ileal conduit for 6 years and then when given the chance to convert I jumped at the opportunity and have never regretted doing it. I think that once the initial healing is overand you start to feel better you will be happy with your decision. Good luck I will keep you in my thoughts on Friday. Judith

[Ellen M]

Thank you for taking time to support my choice. Also thanks for all the tips I will pack them in my case. Ellen

[jpotts]

Ellen, Please post and let us know how you are doing. I have had the pouch since 5/06 and am anxious to help in any way I can. You will be amazed how much your life actually improves! Best of luck and my prayers are with you. Jules

[Ellen M]

Hi, thank you for asking. tonight I feel a little better like a cloud lifting off my head. As you know it was very rough I screamed and hollered. My family is laughing at me the "nice" me was definitely not at the hospital I was very verbal looking to escape. My sense of smell hightened so much anybody who came near me if they had perfume I had to ask to them to leave me. I got flowers which I rejected I said give them to the chapel or nurses but I certainly couldn't stand the fragerance. I hope this passes.

I go Wednesday a.m. to have the cather and the staples removed. I am a little nervous but like all the other times I will get through it.

I'm happy to be able to respond because as you know I haven't been able to sit for any lenght of time. take care and thanks again for asking, Ellen

[jpotts]

Ellen, just checking in, how ya doing?????? I remember the removal of the superpub and staples, very scary. How are you doing with the cathing etc? Any issues? Hope all is well!

[Ellen M]

Hello, I am doing good. I am sleeping a lot, I have pain mostly when I get up in a.m. I take a hydrocodone and it lets me get started for the day. I am irrigating and cathering 3-4 hours. Did you also have a hysterectomy? The hardest for me is going to bathroom and gas. Doctor suggested maybe its from milk and cheese so I am staying away from them.

It is very kind of you to ask how I am doing thank you very much. I can't sit very long. talk to you soon, ellen

[jpotts]

Good old hydrocodone! Careful, it became my best friend. At any rate, yes, I had the full hysterectomy as well and would be glad to talk to you about anything you need. Most of my problems were related to that believe it or not, getting your hormones adjusted are a MESS but happy to say 11 mos later feel ike I am back to my new normal. Any questions I can answer for you?