Colon Abcess?? - Bowel Disorders Message Board

wra111100 · 08-13-2009, 04:32 AM

Hello
My wife was diagnosed a year ago with UTI and given antibiotics, the first medicine did not work so they tested her again and said it was a strep infection and the second round of antibiotics worked ok or so it seamed.
Then she later was in severe pain again and was told she had an overy the size of a fist and spent months trying meds to get it down.
To make a long story short she finally after a year and 3 Dr's was told her Overies are fine it has been an Absess on her colon all along and they misdiagnosed it, now that it sat in there for a year it has to be removed.
they tried 2 tubes to drain it and both worked thier way out of her stomach and the damage is still there.
The Dr just told us that since the absess sat there so long the antibiotics gave it time to wall itself in and now we are told 7-10" of intestine needs to be removed and she needs a colostomy for 6 months before reattaching it.
We are scarred about the whole thing.
Anyone had anything like this?
We hate to sound ignorant but we are trying to picture life with a colostomy bag and is this type of surgery going to be horrible?
I thank you very much in advance for any input.

auntjudyg · 08-13-2009, 05:08 PM

There is no reason to apologize - it is not ignorance at all. How would people know about every medical possibility? But down to the business at hand . . .

I had an abscess also that was in place probably for several years before it was diagnosed. Short story - I ended up in the emergency room, was sent straight to the operating room, it was drained, I had a colostomy for a little over 5 months until I was reconnected.

Communication is difficult over the internet, so I am just going to be frank . . . no sugar coating. The thought of dealing with a colostomy is among the most revolting and disgusting things people can imagine. But, much to my surprise, I got used to it within about a week (it's not just me; a number of people I know say the same thing). And honestly, were I to face a colostomy again in the future, I would not give it a second thought. The hospital ought to have a nurse or someone to help you all getting used to things starting out. In no time, it's a breeze. Everyone has a little accident here or there, but some of us people even get a sick sense of humor about it.

My guess is that the surgery will probably not be done laproscopically (with a smaller incision and quicker recovery time). Full incisional abdominal surgery is major. Activities will be limited after both surgeries - it varies from person to person, but your wife may not be able to go up and down stairs for a week or two; driving may be prohibited for about a week; lifting anything over 5 pounds is often limited for 4 to 8 weeks (with some people recommending to take it easy for up to 3 to 6 months). And it may take several months before her energy is completely back to normal. Getting rid of that infection will probably leave her feeling better than she has in a long time, though.

There have been several thread about bowel resections on these boards. I don't know whether there is a way to search them out . . . but if you look through older threads, you'll find them. But my guess is you will start getting lots of responses here.

There is lots to cover, and I know you will have more questions. There are usually a bunch of people checking this board periodically who have had resections, so ask away!

It is not going to be a walk in the park, but you're going to get through it!

wra111100 · 08-13-2009, 08:26 PM

Well you just made our day

We know its going to be tough but I know we can do this.
Its still really nice to hear someone say it though.. lol
Its just a pretty terrifying thing at first to hear your wife is going to have to go through all this from a husbands view and much much worse for her.
We have been trying to get as educated as possible on the surgery and what to expect. alot of the fear is the unknown right now.
Its hard for her not to cry alot right now and she is worried. but she is a great gal and is starting to accept it alittle more each day.
She is a teacher and is worried about when she can return to school.
The Dr said maybe after 4 weeks or so but we will take it as it comes.
I am really glad to hear you doing well and thanks so much for your response.

auntjudyg · 08-14-2009, 05:54 PM

Anticipation is the worst part of these things.

So one question is whether the colostomy will prevent your wife from teaching? No, absolutely not. I think energy level will be the issue. Getting over tired will slow healing. I would suggest preparing as much as possible - freeze a bunch of dinners/soups, do as much shopping as is practical, get any errands/business done before hand. And, if anyone is offering help, accept!

My surgery was over 9 years ago now (wow, I don't believe). So I am forgetting much about how I was feeling then. I do remember, though, that as I was going through the procedure and lingering afterward, having a really insecure feeling about my body. All this mess had been going on inside and I didn't even know it. So what else might be going on? Others have described the same thing. It will pass, too. As one regains their strength, finishes with all the follow up exams and tests that can stretch over many months, one begins to feel better about oneself again.

wra111100 · 08-14-2009, 09:21 PM

Thanks

I do all the cooking, cleaning, yard work etc. and care for our son, so she won't have to worry about anything like that. I got pretty good at it over the last month with the 2 tubes she had inserted that did not work to drain it.
She just needs to get better, thats all we want her to have to deal with.
Now she has 2 holes still draining from her stomach that I dress and clean every evening, they look like gunshot wounds.
The Dr said they are not going to heal until the procedure is done, but he does not want them to stop draining because it could build pressure.
We went today and he is giving us the surgery date on Monday, he explained things out very well and we feel slightly more confident.
Its a huge reliefe just to have someone to communicate with about it that has experienced it.
He said a 15" incision roughly from her belly button down to just above her girl area.
and he said he also may have to make a colostomy on the other side and let both ends of the colon where it was removed heal if its bad enough to require that. so we know where we stand now and can mentally prepair as much as possible.
I will be writing I am sure so thank you for taking the time to help us.
what people do on here means alot.