UOAA Discussion Board

So, was just released from the hospital a couple days ago (shortage of beds and such - they were trying to roll in the next patient before my discharge was complete) after my second resection of my ileostomy this month.

At first, they thought it was a minor obstruction so went in and opened me back up (lasted for about 2 weeks). Left hospital on a 'low residue' diet as per Dr's orders. The following weekend, unfortunately, I was bitten by the family cat the day after getting home and ended up back in hospital for 5 days while they tried to care for the infection. Doctors told me cat bite is about the worst you will get from a domestic animal as far as bacteria is concerned. For those 5 days they continually had me NPO and my newly resectioned ileostomy shut down. Released on Wednesday, back in hospital Friday with a total shut down of my output.

They told me they were going to do laparoscopic surgery to remove more of my small intestine where they saw an obstruction . . . things seem to be working exceedingly well, however, it seems it takes almost no time for a meal to process.

Is this unusual (other than the part about my playing too rough with a 3 foot long, 25+ pound Maine Coon cat)?

Finally got pathology on constriction found near the ileostomy . . . Dr. told me ileostomy didn't shut down because of being NPO for 5 days, he said the constriction was more cancer.

Got no further info from surgeon, so how often does something like this happen? Original ileostomy about January 19, 2021.

First resection in early October. Surgeon "opened up" the constriction but no mention of pathology on tissue.

Second resection end of October with pathology showing constriction was cancer.

Unfortunately Dijenga, there's really no way to predict how often this will happen. Unless I'm mistaken, it sounds like your cancer is metastatic, so it could show up just about anywhere at anytime. Praying that the chemo will get to working and keep it at bay.

Dear Dijenga, please know you are in my prayers as well. As for a satisfactory reason for what has happened, you may find it better to put that on the back burner for now as you gather your strength to handle the current situation. As someone who has dealt with more ostomy/surgical problems for all of his life than I have ever faced recently told me, he takes things a day at a time. It is the best way. Pace yourself. Get adequate rest & try to increase the nutritional value of what you can eat. Having had a severely shortened small bowel since my teens, I find that small more frequent meals are best tolerated. Please know that our Discussion Board continues to be here for you 24/7. God bless you.
PS: Having cats of my own, I can sympathize. My sweet fluffy little red one decided she did not need me to bathe her after she pooped on herself. For emphasis, she chomped down on my forearm & began chewing away. You guessed it. An unwanted trip to the ER on a busy weekend. (Fortunately, the antibiotics worked.) Yes, those big Maine Coons are beautiful!