I almost died ! Really!

[Norbert Holz]

I almost Died!

Experiencing abdominal pain worstening for nearly 3 weeks; I finally reached 10/10 pain. Reporting to the ER at St Anthony's where I was recently hired. I was admitted for surgery to remove my sigmoid and decending colon due to a ruptured diverticular bulge and the resulting infection.

I spent nearly 3 weeks inpatient! What a life changing event this has been for me.

Now I have a "temporary" colostomy (It will have been temporary only after a sucessful reversal!) over a full width horizontal open wound!

I want to know some things about the upcomming reversal procidure if anyone reading this cares to comment or advise me.

Should I get a central line? I still have very irritated veins from the last ordeal.

Would it be do-able for me to get a "tummy tuck" at the same time as my reversal? There is a "middle age spare tire" fold that I believe could easily have removed. How if at all should I approach this?

I am currently surviving. I have not been fired. No more pain. Thanks, in advance, for your reading this and any suggestions.

[BadBird, BSN, RN]

I don't know about the tummy tuck, ask your surgeon what he/she thinks. Good luck with your reversal. I have taken care of patient in the past that had a reversal and did very well. Keep us posted on your decision.

[aimeee, BSN, RN]

Wow, Norbert! I don't have any advice for you, but I hope you heal well and are able to reverse successfully. :)

[Sleepyeyes]

Hey, Norb,

from Tampa!

I've worked in a couple of hospitals in the area, did clinicals at St. A's, and I usually see elderly folks with this procedure done come out quite well after both procedures.

I think you should ask your doc about the central line and the tummy tuck, though, as he's more familiar with your particular case.

Even though I've taken care of pt's with these types of procedures before, I noticed that each surgeon has their own way of doing things.

Good luck and keep us posted!

[fedupnurse]

If you'll be getting the potent antibiotics I'm sure you got this time, I'd want the central line. I have a colleague and have had many patients tell me that peripheral Vanco just kills when it is infusing and for awhile afterward. We've had a bunch of patients with successful reversals. Doubt your insurance would cover the tummy tuck. Some "cosmetic" stuff is covered like breast implants after mastectomy but that is to restore the person to what they looked like before. That really isn't cosmetic in my book. But it wouldn't hurt to ask. Plastics guys usually do that and I doubt the geneal or colon surgeon you are using would have expertise in this area.

Best of luck to you. Glad you survived your ordeal and hope your next hospitalization is uneventful!

[oramar]

Oh my gosh, well good luck and hope you heal quickly. You said you were new at the hospital where you had surgery, hope your insurance kicked in before you had surgery.

[hoolahan, ASN, RN]

Norbert, hope you are recovering quickly! I can't imagine going through that.

I have also seen lots of successful reversals. I agree the tummy tuck a) is probably not covered by insurance, and b) should be done by a plastic surgeon. In your time off, why not see a plastic surgeon or two for a consult. IF it can be done simultaneously, no doubt you could have one surgeon start, then the plastic surgeon step in for part two, I have heard of that being done, but not sure about this particular situation. (I have seen CT surgeon remove sternum, and plastic guy there at the end of the case to do the muscle falp and closure.)

I think it may be covered if you were to develop a hernia, which unfortunately, I have seen many times post-op after temp colostomy procedures. Therefore, you really want to get some good opinions on this. If there is a chance tyo develop a hernia, you wouldn't want to mess up the nice tummy tuck. So, they may advicse the tummy tuck for some time after the second surgery. But a hernia is still better than a perm colostomy! Best wishes for a speedy recovery!!

[SICU Queen]

Sorry you've been so sick! I'm not sure about the tummy tuck, but I'd say a definite YES on the central line. I had a complicated cholecystectomy a few years ago and wound up needing antibiotics at home. I have very few veins and the ones that I DID have were fried. I got a Groshong catheter. It's a tunneled catheter and more appropriate for longer term stuff if that's what you're going to need. It wasn't a big deal to have it inserted.

Good luck and keep us all posted on how you're doing.

[CATHYW]

Norbert, bless your heart! I hope that things continue to go well for you. I would get the central line, fer shure! You'll want those veins later on!

[Zee_RN, BSN, RN]

Wow, what an ordeal!! Glad to hear you're recovering well; quite a potential for nasty stuff to happen.

(1) I'm having "GIVE ME A CENTRAL LINE" tattoo'd on my chest.

(2) A tummy tuck probably is not advisable. It is MAJOR surgery and could really complicate your recovery. The anastomosis surgery, I believe, is not quite that extensive. I did some research and spoke with a plastic surgeon myself on a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) and it is a MAJOR deal. And while most of them go without a hitch, we have had TWO abdominoplasties admitted to ICU due to major sepsis. After all you have been through, I wouldn't take the chance.

[SmilingBluEyes]

Norbert: No wisdom here....the folks preceding me did it all! Just a post to send best wishes for improving health, healing and that your future surgery is w/o event and safe. GOOD LUCK!!!!

[shay]

Norbert, OMG!!! Glad you're okay!!!!

If it were me, I agree w/the other posters....I'd get a central line. I agree w/Zee about the tummy tuck...I don't think I'd want to 'double up' on the pain/complications/risk of surgery. You're already pretty darned sick, don't you agree?? Skip the tummy tuck and just be thankful you're still here and breathing...spare tire be damned!!

Here's wishing you a successful repair and speedy recovery!!!:kiss