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"Complex Abdominal Reconstructive Surgery"

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  • "Complex Abdominal Reconstructive Surgery"

    The thread title is the terminology used by my newest surgeon to characterize the nature of the surgery the I need to correct the fact that my small bowel ― the only bowel I have left since my colon/large bowel was completely removed years ago ― has herniated so deeply into my left groin that blood vessels in the groin are being constricted so has to cause painful swelling all the way from the groin to the bottom of my left foot.

    Nine years ago my first surgeon ― now retired ― recommended that we leave bad enough alone, as the compression of arteries and veins in the groin had not yet become as severe as is now the case. He explained that my history of multiple abdominal surgeries ― a colostomy that prolapsed after only 3 months; an ileostomy that failed due to an adhesion (a spaghetti-shaped strand of scar tissue strangled my small intestine); an infection of the surgical incision at the time of the latter surgery that caused the surgeon to take out all the staples and use his index finger to rip the incision open so as to maximize his ability to get rid of the infection (which at the time was his sole priority); thus, I was left with a full-belly hernia that the surgeon characterized as "big enough to throw a cat through" and therefore not a problem that needed to be fixed because surgeons fix hernias to prevent strangulation of the intestine, and there was no danger of my hernia strangling anything because the hole in my belly was too big to strangle anything. But, alas, that was then and this is now, when nothing is constricting my small intestine, but the intestine itself is doing the constricting of artery and vein in the groin.

    I am due for a CAT scan Monday, after which the surgeon will consult his 24 surgical partners ― in his UNC related group ― to see if they can jointly figure out a way to attempt to solve a "complex" surgical challenge.

    My first surgeon, who was chief of surgery at Western Wake Hospital at the time, said that if he were to attempt the complex surgery that I needed nine years ago, that he would probably have several fellow surgeons with him in the operating room saying, "We want to see how you are going to do this."

    My current surgeon does not yet know how he might do what needs to be done, but he hopes that when he and his many colleagues review what they find in the Cat scan pictures, they may be able to collectively figure a way to attempt the "complex abdominal reconstruction" that is needed.

    I am being processed by a cardiologist through a number of heart tests that are prerequisite to abdominal surgery on an 82 year-old with multiple cardiac anomalies.

    I am at a point where I have wishful fantasies of heart failure sans resuscitation during the surgery; however, I do not expect that I will be so fortunate, as the health professionals that are dealing with my case are just too competent to allow such to happen.

    I am aware that this OP is too verbose and needs to be radically edited, but I don't have sufficient energy to do so this late at night. And tomorrow I would probably just delete the whole thing.
    Last edited by John Reece; 05-13-2016, 09:03 PM.

  • #2
    John, all I can offer you is my prayer.
    Watch your links! http://www.theologyweb.com/campus/fa...corumetiquette

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    • #3
      Originally posted by DesertBerean View Post
      John, all I can offer you is my prayer.
      For which I am very grateful; thank you!

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      • #4
        Originally posted by John Reece View Post
        The thread title is the terminology used by my newest surgeon to characterize the nature of the surgery the I need to correct the fact that my small bowel ― the only bowel I have left since my colon/large bowel was completely removed years ago ― has herniated so deeply into my left groin that blood vessels in the groin are being constricted so has to cause painful swelling all the way from the groin to the bottom of my left foot.

        Nine years ago my first surgeon ― now retired ― recommended that we leave bad enough alone, as the compression of arteries and veins in the groin had not yet become as severe as is now the case. He explained that my history of multiple abdominal surgeries ― a colostomy that prolapsed after only 3 months; an ileostomy that failed due to an adhesion (a spaghetti-shaped strand of scar tissue strangled my small intestine); an infection of the surgical incision at the time of the latter surgery that caused the surgeon to take out all the staples and use his index finger to rip the incision open so as to maximize his ability to get rid of the infection (which at the time was his sole priority); thus, I was left with a full-belly hernia that the surgeon characterized as "big enough to throw a cat through" and therefore not a problem that needed to be fixed because surgeons fix hernias to prevent strangulation of the intestine, and there was no danger of my hernia strangling anything because the hole in my belly was too big to strangle anything. But, alas, that was then and this is now, when nothing is constricting my small intestine, but the intestine itself is doing the constricting of artery and vein in the groin.

        I am due for a CAT scan Monday, after which the surgeon will consult his 24 surgical partners ― in his UNC related group ― to see if they can jointly figure out a way to attempt to solve a "complex" surgical challenge.

        My first surgeon, who was chief of surgery at Western Wake Hospital at the time, said that if he were to attempt the complex surgery that I needed nine years ago, that he would probably have several fellow surgeons with him in the operating room saying, "We want to see how you are going to do this."

        My current surgeon does not yet know how he might do what needs to be done, but he hopes that when he and his many colleagues review what they find in the Cat scan pictures, they may be able to collectively figure a way to attempt the "complex abdominal reconstruction" that is needed.

        I am being processed by a cardiologist through a number of heart tests that are prerequisite to surgery on a 82 year old with multiple cardiac anomalies.

        I am at a point where I have wishful fantasies of heart failure sans resuscitation during the surgery; however, I do not expect that I will be so fortunate, as the health professionals that are dealing with my case are just too competent to allow such to happen.

        I am aware that this OP is too verbose and needs to be radically edited, but I don't have sufficient energy to do so this late at night. And tomorrow I would probably just delete the whole thing.
        Thanks for keeping us updated. You're in our prayers

        I'm always still in trouble again

        "You're by far the worst poster on TWeb" and "TWeb's biggest liar" --starlight (the guy who says Stalin was a right-winger)
        "Overall I would rate the withdrawal from Afghanistan as by far the best thing Biden's done" --Starlight
        "Of course, human life begins at fertilization that’s not the argument." --Tassman

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        • #5
          John, I am praying for you and this situation. May our Lord give you peace and give wisdom to the doctors in whose care you are.

          We love you very much.



          Securely anchored to the Rock amid every storm of trial, testing or tribulation.

          Comment


          • #6
            Originally posted by rogue06 View Post
            Thanks for keeping us updated. You're in our prayers

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            • #7
              Originally posted by mossrose View Post
              John, I am praying for you and this situation. May our Lord give you peace and give wisdom to the doctors in whose care you are.

              We love you very much.


              Thank you, mossrose!

              Comment


              • #8
                Oh goodness John, having seen something similar and knowing what the person went through I just pray you find some relief. and I understand.
                A happy family is but an earlier heaven.
                George Bernard Shaw

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                • #9
                  Originally posted by Catholicity View Post
                  Oh goodness John, having seen something similar and knowing what the person went through I just pray you find some relief. and I understand.
                  Thanks, Catholicity. I take it that you are a medical professional?

                  My general practitioner/internal medicine specialist ― prompted by the results of a blood test ― has referred me to nephrologist ('though I have never mentioned the kidney pain to him; I do not take any medication, and one way I avoid doing so is to not tell my GP about all my aches and pains); I'm curious what that could portend.
                  Last edited by John Reece; 05-14-2016, 07:42 AM.

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                  • #10
                    Thoughts and prayers very much with you John

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                    • #11
                      Originally posted by Abigail View Post
                      Thoughts and prayers very much with you John
                      Thank you, Abigail!

                      Comment


                      • #12

                        Comment


                        • #13


                          May God be with you, John.
                          Enter the Church and wash away your sins. For here there is a hospital and not a court of law. Do not be ashamed to enter the Church; be ashamed when you sin, but not when you repent. – St. John Chrysostom

                          Veritas vos Liberabit<>< Learn Greek <>< Look here for an Orthodox Church in America<><Ancient Faith Radio
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                          I recommend you do not try too hard and ...research as little as possible. Such weighty things give me a headache. - Shunyadragon, Baha'i apologist

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                          • #14
                            Originally posted by Cerebrum123 View Post
                            Thank you!

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                            • #15
                              Originally posted by One Bad Pig View Post


                              May God be with you, John.
                              Thank you!

                              The pain is getting worse by the day: I can't tolerate being on my feet for long because of exacerbated stasis dermatitis; I can't tolerate sitting very long because of exacerbated pain in the groin; so, I am forced to spend more and more time in bed where I am not completely free of pain, but at least the pain is not intolerable when I am on my back with my lower legs and feet elevated.

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