Some unexpected health issues

[Chris]

I'm sure you all remember when I mentioned my visit with the urologist last week. At first, it seemed that the medicine really helped, but the problem soon returned. He's now almost sure of the real problem; however, I have an additional procedure (a very unpleasant one, actually) in his office, tommorrow, and then barium X-rays in the hospital on Friday. If the tests confirm his diagnosis, it will mean not exactly minor surgery. (I've been researching the problem on the Internet, and I would say that the chances are about 99% that he's right.)

I already have plane tickets, leaving Monday, to spend three weeks with my parents. Ironicallly, I was going to spend three weeks helping out my Mom as much as possible, since her health is so poor. Now, it looks like she may be nursing me during my recuperation. Fortunately, my doctor did say that it would be fine for me to arrange to have the surgery while I'm there. I'll miss Michael, but it's better for me to go ahead and have it done, then, than to come back and take several more weeks of leave for it.

Ok, here are the questions for you folks. How should I handle my WOE during the whole thing? Do hospitals offer low-carb meals? If not, should I request a low cal one? During my recuperation period, should I continue as I'm doing, or temporarily move to maintenance? I know I won't be permitted any exercise for a while, so I'm afraid that I'll gain weight even on maintenance. I really, REALLY don't want this to become an excuse for falling off the wagon. I won't be too upset if I don't continue to lose, but I will be upset if I gain.

All suggestions and ideas would be appreciated.

Edited to add note to Cleo: This may mean dropping out of the New Year's Eve challenge; but, considering the circumstances, I hope I'll be pardoned from the beaning with the stiletto!

[softnred]

Re: Some unexpected health issues

Becky (Idreamof145) spent some time in the hospital earlier this year. I don't recall the exact details of her food, but I know that she was able to do just fine. You might want to get in touch with her and see what pearls of wisdom she has.


And I'm sending positive vibes for a safe surgery and a quick recovery!!

[BikerGoddess]

Re: Some unexpected health issues

Chris! I don't have any advice on the diet while you're going through this, but I wanted to offer my support.

Laura

[Terry]

Re: Some unexpected health issues

More support coming your way (without any good advise) Chris~

I would be curious to see what Idream has to say about her experience.

[slimndown]

Re: Some unexpected health issues

My dad just spent 2 weeks in the hospital and most of their dishes are not low carb although some dinners usually have a slice of meat, salad, green veggie then a roll or rice. They usually come in the day before to have you pick out what you want (if you are staying for a few days). If it is not agreeable, then you might have one of your family members pick something up for you from the cafeteria. The hospital cafeterias I've been to usually have some good meat choices and salads for reasonable prices. Also, keep in mind whether you will have an IV hydration type thing going on because those usually have some sort of sugar additive. If it is a mandatory thing that you have one - then you might as well just make the best of it and have whatever sounds good for the time being and get back on track when you're out again.

[cleochatra]

Re: Some unexpected health issues

Aw, Chris! You mean I can't at least walk around on you in combat boots? I don't know what to tell you about hospital food. It's pretty nasty. Do you have someone who can smuggle you in some REAL food? Can you keep bacon in your armpits? If not, I'd maintenance-- do what you can, eat only when hungry, stop when no longer hungry, and try and stay away from anything that keeps moving long after the tray has come to a complete stop.

I'm sorry you've got SO MUCH going on right now. Egads. I'll be thinking of you. So help me, if you're not back here by January 1st I'm going to hope something falls off. And you do want to keep your nose. Trust me.

[Chris]

Re: Some unexpected health issues

Dang it, Cleo, I'm getting pretty darn sick and tired of having to wipe off my screen. It's my own fault, I should have learned, by now, to never read one of your posts while I'm drinking my water!

Thanks for all the positive energy, all of you. I'm certainly dreading all of this, but, like so many things we don't want to have to go through, it has to be done, like it or not. My supervisor, great guy that he is, told me to go ahead and start my vacation tomorrow, so I'm going to try to enjoy myself as much as possible until the event, itself.

Hey, I'm not going anywhere, yet, Cleo. I'll be around for several days to come, and I'm sure I'll be back on the board within a short while after that. For that matter, until we get the results of the next two days' tests, I can't even see about scheduling the surgery. Who knows, it may not even be possible to do it within the time period that I plan.

By the way, there's no real reason to be secretive about the problem -- it turned out to not be a male thing, after all. In early September I had a severe attack of diverticulitis, which resulted in a night in the hospital. Antibiotics and fibre seemed to clear it up in a short while. (If I'd only stayed on Atkins, and continued to take my fiber, as I always did while on the wagon, it probably would never have happened.) It appears that I developed a "fistula" on the intestine which has broken through to the bladder, so now gases are able to enter the bladder (NOT a fun experience!). The surgery is simply the closing of the holes in the intestine and bladder. Not exactly minor surgery, but certainly not a heart transplant. Hey, compared to what some folks are going through, like my Mom, this is nothing!

[cleochatra]

Re: Some unexpected health issues

Wellllllll.... look at who gets the holy bladder! Mr I've-got-to-show-off-my-dracula-on-my-intestine. Yeahhhh. And he gets vacation, too. That and the backless gown. That is so hot!

When they're wheeling you into the operating room, start humming the Jaws theme. Whenever they look at you and stop the gurney, stop humming and look at them like "Whaaaaat?". Then start up with the "duhduh duhduh duhduh duhduh" again. It'll drive them nuts.

[Anlhess]

Re: Some unexpected health issues

Best Of luck with everything you are going through Chris

~Laura~

[2big4mysize]

Re: Some unexpected health issues

So Chris you going to be in I SEE YOU wear for a while?

You have a unique issue with diet because they will greatly restrict your foods while those holes close up. I don't know how long you will be NPO but all you are going to get is IV fluids for a while, and then clear liquids. Talk with your doctor about your Atkins and see if you guys can come up with a plan to keep you low carb as you recover. Maybe you could look in Atkins For Life and use the maintenance plan since you know your CCLL one more carb will maintain you there until you can get back. remember fixing this is what is important right now you got your whole life to lose those few pounds you might regain.

Will be praying for you.

[Spikette]

Re: Some unexpected health issues

Sending good wishes that everything goes well and your recovery is quick

[ladyinred]

Re: Some unexpected health issues

Take care Chris. I'll miss reading your posts for a while. My dh has diverticulitis. It is not amusing. Last time I was in hospital was when I had my babies, many moons ago. They did seem to like carbo loading ya (frosted flakes, toast, a muffin for breakfast), but if you don't have other health issues you can probably request scrambled eggs for breaky and just avoid the starchy stuff. Most important is just to take care of you, whatever way you have to do it. {{{{{Chris}}}}}

[BikerGoddess]

Re: Some unexpected health issues

Are they going in laproscopically?

My brother's colon ruptured two years ago and he didn't eat anything for about a week. But then, they sliced him all the way open.

I do recall reading something about being able to ask for saline without glucose, but I'm not sure they'll do that after surgery. I'd definitely ask the surgeon. And the nurses are usually pretty good sources of information - they're just horribly overworked.

We'll be rooting for you.

Laura

P.S. It could be worse.. my brother got a card that said "S**t happens"..

[LOWCARBINCLEVELANDOH]

Re: Some unexpected health issues

When I was in the hospital, I was a total diva and wrote on the top of the menu LOW CARB DIETER. I then ordered double meats, eggs, salad, etc.

The Cleveland Clinic has the best omelettes I have ever had..No addl milk,, I checked!

And good luck to you with your health issues!

[Chris]

Re: Some unexpected health issues

Just came from the test at the doctor's and the diagnosis is most definitely confirmed. What I didn't learn until today, though, is that a section of colon will have to be removed to keep this from happening, again. How much will be determined by the X-rays, tomorrow. Hmm, I suspect that worrying about any kind of solid food will be a moot point for a while!