I’m in trouble
About two years ago I had six inches of small bowel cut out. (Possibly yanked out). Due to some butchery, I have had three corrective surgeries since. For the last six months I’ve had bad abdominal pain which I thought was just my illness going nuts. Mostly abdominal pressure.
Turns out my bladder isn’t emptying. Now my kidneys are in stage 1 failure. Waiting for surgery scheduler trying to avoid ER. Believe it or not, it’s an outpatient thing but comes with four days of brutal recovery with Foley catheter. I’ll go to the ER if I have to, but that is what precipated the living hell I went through last time. I don’t want a general surgeon anywhere near me. I’m stable for now. My kidneys are hurting. I don’t know when they will schedule so my life is on hold. I had to postpone my chemo on Wednesday. I’m also anemic so I was going to get iron infusion too. Now I don’t know when. Wife is terrified but not as much as me. Just whining. at the same time, I’m ready to do anything to lose this pain. After six months of 24/7 it is wearing me down. Pisses me off (pun not intended) that none of my doctors caught this sooner. They get too focused on the primary disease state. This is how a lot of people with chronic illness die. I bet I won’t though. :cert: |
Good luck Pete.
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It never ends!
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Good luck!
Eat some raw spinach and other high iron foods in the meantime. Not sure what is best or what you can tolerate with chronic illnesses? It’s not going to be as effective as your iron transfusion, but it may help a little. (I’m also chronically anemic related to my celiac disease.) |
Hope everything turns out ok. Will keep you in our prayers and may God bless you and make you well.:angel:
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Bless you, old friend. I'm praying for you. :seasix:
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:iagree: God bless you. |
Best wishes Pete. You'll get through this. :angel:
BTW, got anything good to sell? :bigears: :leaving: |
Can’t tell you how much I appreciate you guys. Even that one guy.
Somehow I need to maintain for a few more days. Hoping I get scheduling info Tuesday and can get in this week. With my luck I have a sinking feeling that’s not gonna happen. Trying to stay positive but to be honest, this is just too much. I also found out I have some sort of tumor on my liver. MRI was done and it’s “inconclusive”. I have to get another with different dye. If I end up with another chronic condition or more surgeries, I’m not sure I can keep going. I’m so tired. It’s like my body is failing in multiple places. Much like my Ford Explorer. We sold it after the transmission blew to a Mexican dude. Maybe my wife can get A few pesos out of my carcass. |
Hmmm...let’s see, in the last 6 weeks I’ve had surgery for Crohn’s where they removed sections in two different places. That’s the second Crohn’s surgery since it was diagnosed 40 years ago. In the last 6 weeks I’ve also had kidney surgery - twice, a week apart. Yeah, it sucked big time. Unlike you I refuse to let it rule and ruin my life. Man up and take charge of your care. Or not. It’s up to you, nobody else.
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Oh, and during the month of September, we're doing a special on replacement kidneys... your second kidney is free. :) :thumbs: |
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Why do you assume I let it rule my life? I work full time running my own company, perform and record music and never let it hold me back. Sometimes it gets me down. Don’t bullshit me as if you are superhuman. Perhaps your disease isn’t as advanced as mine. I would think you might be more supportive since you have some understanding. Also why assume I’m not in charge of my care? What a dick post. I’m a fierce advocate for myself. I don’t have any support so I occasionally turn here. You of all people should be more understanding. You are immensely negative on this board. Particularly towards me. I have two serious chronic illnesses already. Crohns and a type of incurable leukemia. I had my urethra reconstructed from damage during surgery. Go through that and let me know how you do. |
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Damn, sorry to here about this, Pete. Just be strong, and lean in on your family.
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Hard to say anything without it sounding like a worn out cliche. Still; keep fighting. The alternative is no good. No good at all.
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Sorry you feel that way Pete. I’ve mentioned in your other threads about this that I’m willing to have a discussion with you offline about this. No reply. I’m not going to get into a “my health is worse than yours” argument with you. In your most recent thread about this you mentioned prednisone. If you’re on that you need a new gastroenterologist NOW. I haven’t taken that for at least 10 years, and closer to 15. It’s not a treatment. I was on Humira until my most recent surgery and it worked well. I see my gastroenterologist next week and she’s already mentioned that there are several new biologic treatments for this that show promise; I’ll be starting one of those instead of Humira. I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy, but it is something you can live with and still have a good quality of life. Good luck.
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I'll be praying for you my friend :angel:
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Will be praying for you Pete.
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Pete, you got this. You always got this. Hang in there bud.
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I have a very good understanding of prednisone and hate it with all my might. They use it when there is significant inflammation and there is delay in treatment. My disease is pretty severe and it does help and has kept me from spiraling down a few times. Usually I refuse it but this time I’m about ready to eat kittens if that helps. Have you tried kittens? |
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Ingredients 1/2 cup rice vinegar 2 tablespoons sesame oil 1/2 cup sherry 2 teaspoons garlic powder 1-1/2 pounds skinless boneless kittens, cubed 3 tablespoons canola oil 3 cups fresh broccoli florets 1 cup thinly sliced carrots 2 teaspoons cornstarch 1/3 cup soy sauce 1/3 cup hoisin sauce 1 tablespoon ground ginger 1 cup roasted salted cashews Hot cooked rice Directions
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God bless Ye.......:seasix::yesnod:
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Best of luck Pete.I hope you get things fixed up soon.:cert:
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Having had a colon resection a few years back, which pales from your situation, I can imagine what you are going thru. Keep pushing forward, you will get past this. Rooting for ya!
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I bet you won't either Pete. I look forward to hearing of the good news of relief and great prognosis.
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I bet you won't either Pete. I look forward to hearing of the good news of relief and great prognosis.
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never pee in a hurry; relax and let it happen with no urgency to end it.. near the end... the stream becomes thin and you may not feel like there's any more coming out. Let it continue, until the last drop has fallen; do not "wince" it to end the evacuation. urinate more often; don't wait until the urge is strong. :) |
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The big problems comes when you cannot pee at all. Then you get to experience the placement of a foley cath without anesthesia. I’m trying to avoid that at all costs. I’ll end up with one for a few days but placed while I’m under. Removing it is another story. It’s the most intense thing EVAR. Hurts like hell but only for a bit. My biggest complaint is the constant pain and pressure. I can barely eat anything. Can’t wear pants or a belt. I’m wearing sweats all day. I attempted to go to drug store yesterday and had to turn back. My belt put too much pressure on my gut. I have several more days of this to go. I’m starting to get anxious because between now and normalicy is some very ugly, painful stuff. I’m sure I’ll get through it. Many others have. It will be my fourth time with the cath. Of all the stuff I’ve dealt with, that is the worst. And I’ve been shot. This is worse. |
sending good thoughts and prayers
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I guess I need be happy enough with my pee pills mutch less the BPressure pills....and the stool softeners..... |
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Kant see for shit, so how kan I see IT???? :dance::confused5: |
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Hang in there Pete...hope this all passes soon :cert:
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Well **** me. The earliest they can get me in is the 16th. I have to go another eight days like this. I’m not sure I’ll make it without an ugly trip to the ER. I will try.
Somehow I have to find the strength to work. I can’t take off two more weeks. I was hoping to go visit my mom, but that’s out. Sigh.:kick: |
More prayers for you :angel:
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:angel: |
Call the dr office 2-3 times a day and politely ask if there have been any cancellations.
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Maybe just call once a day though. After the first day, they'll know who you are and why you're calling. :waiting: |
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This has truly been a living hell. One surgery turned into four to fix mistake after mistake. First surgery - emergency resection Second - the incision caused a hernia During the hernia repair, a nurse bludgeoned me with a cath - had cath for 2 weeks Third - Then a urologist did a ballon expansion that only lasted three months - had cath for 2 weeks Fourth surgery - Next a complete reconstruction - cath for 30 days This is number five. Cath for 4 days During this time I’ve had three procedures akin to a colonoscopy to expand my small intestine. Two enteroscopies, 2 CAT scans, three MRI’S, plus two ER trips, 18 chemo treatments, 52 IV fluid sessions, 12 iron infusions 125ish injections and too many labs to count. I’ve never shared this with anyone. I just hide it. And to think, I never had surgery before all this. WTF. This is seriously getting tiring. To add insult to injury, my wife can’t accompany me because COVID. funny, I never thought it was needed to have her there. Now I could use the support. I’m sorry to bitch. I know many have it worse. I’m getting to my wits end. There must be an end to this somehow but none in sight right now. |
Pete, take your wife with you anyway. Insist she go in with you. Really insist. :angel:
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Does this mask make my face look fat?
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:sadangel:
Hoping for a speedy recovery!! |
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It might be cliched’ but it does help. Honestly the thought of giving up crosses my mind regularly. But I am not really wired for giving up. There must be a limit to how much one can endure. I think if I were single, the equation might be different. But people I love rely on me. I will walk through fire for them.
I have this creeping feeling that if there is widespread civil unrest, people like me won’t survive it. The treatments I need are drugs that require special handling, refrigeration, mixing by a pharmacist, IV pumps. It also must be used within hours of mixing. It comes as a powder that needs refrigeration. It is only made in one facility by one manufacturer. Lately Ive seen shortages of regular drugs. It’s just a matter of time. I suppose that’s why I’m up for the fight. If I go down, I’m taking some commie mother****ers with me. I’m doing everything I can to get fit for battle conditions. Whether it happens or not. From upping hormone replacement, working out, heat conditioning, 7K ruck marches with 45 lbs of gear, specialized tactical training, Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC), I’m FEMA certified as first responder (this makes it so the local police have no authority over me in a disaster scenario) Radio operator (getting license this month)...etc. I have to get whatever is ****ed up fixed in this case I don’t have a choice. We are in for a rough ride and I believe our way of life is at extreme risk. Even though I’m old and broken down, I am mustering everything I’ve got to serve this great nation. It’s the reason I do anything these days - an overwhelming sense of duty and purpose. That’s my version of not giving up. Far too many are willing to sit on the sidelines. I can’t share too much here, but let’s just say my work in this area isn’t casual. |
You can do it, Pete.
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https://memegenerator.net/img/instan...infoil-hat.jpg |
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I’m sure you are a better person than me not “dooming and glooming” your friends and all. Thanks for judging me. At the same time, unless you have a chronic illness, I wouldn’t expect you to understand the challenge of staying positive. Imagine being sick every day for 15 years. Imagine being hospitalized three times a year for a decade. Imagine not being able to do the things you enjoy, not enjoying food, not going out with friends, missing family events and losing your memory from brain damage caused by malnutrition. I don’t remember my son being born. The problems you speak of are transient. Imagine having all those regular problems, plus an incurable illness that destroys your intestines, joints, muscles and optic nerves until it kills you. I don’t think you can. “doom and gloom” is your perception. For me it’s my daily reality. What I see in this thread is my friends lifting me up, like we do for each other here. I’m just trying to get through and the support here is really helpful. I reached out here for help. You came in mocking me. I’ve been fighting this disease for 15 years. It is weighing on my psyche. Why did you bother posting? Just to put me me down? Maybe instead of judging, you might refrain from posting and thank God for your health and for having just normal life challenges. For the rest of you, I just say thank you. Nine days to go. |
And for the record, I don’t train in anticipation of a meltdown. I do it because it makes me stronger and because it’s my duty to my family and my community.
I hope for the best and plan/train for the worst. What are you doing for your country besides putting sick people down on the Internet? |
Sorry to hear you're having a hard time again Pete. Really hard to have the constant onslaught of health issues.
Hell, most of us fall apart after having a crappy little flu for a week. Scott |
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Now I’m out of work. My clients have been shutting down over the last few months. Now the last and largest one is going into bunker mode. Gonna be hard to be positive. Most of your brain chemistry is created in your gut. Depression is part of the deal when your guts are ****ed up. Mine is raging. At the same time, this is an opportunity to pivot and maybe find a more satisfying path. I don’t care anymore. What will be will be. Once I get back on my feet next week I’ll hit it hard and get back on track. Frustrating I have to wait a week. |
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I know you’ve been through hell. I’m “only” 15 years in. They say if I can get through the next ten years, things should get better. But lots of surgery. I’m not down and out. I think I’m mostly very tired. Sometimes I see other people doing things and I can only wish I could enjoy some normalicy. I used to really like food and cooking. Now I eat for utility purposes. If I can eat at all. I miss me some steak! I never give up. With support from friends I can get through. Sometimes I just have to bitch. In real life I never say a word. I hide it. But I shall torture you people. :dance: |
Pete, my first surgery was 40 years ago. My latest was July 28. I have 12 surgery scars on my belly. I’m missing three different sections of my small bowel, part of my large bowel and part of my bladder. I don’t know why yours can’t be removed. I will just say that after living with this for over 40 years I’m thoroughly convinced that your mental outlook and attitude has a huge impact on this particular disease. Fight it and win. It can be done.
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My mental outlook is definitely not good. I can’t imagine going through what you have. How old were you when diagnosed? I’d say my biggest issue (besides the pain lately) is fatigue. It has gotten much worse since I returned from Nicaragua. To the point of disability. Now, this flare has lasted so long. I’m pretty tough since pain is really just part of the deal. But I think the constant, relentless nature of this six month flare is jacking with my brain chemistry. Somehow I need to find the energy to spin up the business. I have some oddball but interesting opportunities. I’m going to take this coming week and just wind down while I recover. I am hoping this surgery will stop the pain. (After causing a shit load of pain!) Then, I’m hoping this is the end of the surgeries for a while. I need to work my ass off. |
Not sure what I think about this. The urologist was pretty certain scar tissue was causing the issue. Put me under and found none. Prostate is the issue. He wants to increase med dosage for thirty days to see if that makes a difference. If not, a far more serious surgery is on the way.
He said “you could drive a truck through there”. I’m hoping that’s not part of the treatment. I was praying that this procedure today would give me some relief. I’m going on seven months of pain. Now, at least another month of pain. I’m going to guess that civil unrest will delay that even further and I don’t want to be laid up for six weeks during that time. I’m going on liquid diet again because every time I eat pain gets worse. Holy shit. On the up side, I’ll lose some weight. I think not eating will reduce pain. I can’t take pain pills. I’m going to have to just bear it. Hearing Steve’s story, I’m convinced I can get through it. I can’t believe it. I really thought this was the end of it. On the other hand, I finally received my truck. 2012 4Runner Limited. :dance: |
:angel: You'll get through this Pete. :angel:
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Hang in there!
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Hang in there Pete!
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I’m hanging! Worked ten hours today. I am implementing some changes to the business, making calls, starting radio show and changing my thinking.
Separate thread on a music idea. One big change is developing offerings for smaller companies. I’m accustomed to charging pretty high rates because I literally transform companies from losing money to profitable. The challenge right now is that companies are not making any commitments. So my short term answer is to do project work and control expectations by being honest. For example, someone wanted me to develop a video podcast for them today. Normally I’d say no, even though I produce my own podcast and can nail it off. The reason is because it won’t drive sales by itself but they usually think it will. Most “marketing” people would say something like “Absolutely we can do that. It’s gonna change your life!” They know that is bullshit, but they take the money. I may do the project these days, but I am honest with people. Generating qualified leads for B2B companies takes a plan and a program. It’s ****ing hard to pull off and labor intensive. It takes spending 10%-15% of your revenue. However, I can see that doing smaller projects can lead to bigger ones, as long as expectations are managed. Over the years I’ve learned that success in marketing and sales takes a system of communications. No single thing will move the needle. It’s a combination of strategic efforts that gets it done. My point is that I’ve had an “all or nothing” attitude. Now I must compromise to survive. But I won’t bullshit people. E.g., that (podcast, email program, social media, website) by itself won’t produce an ROI unless you are very lucky. But I can help you build it as long as you understand this. Does that make any sense? |
With the thread title of "I'm in trouble", I was expecting someone to be preggers. :shrug: WTF? :toetap:
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I've been fighting the same disease for 50 years that i caught overseas, the reason i get military disability. I just don't post it and talk about it with friends and family. I was Awol for a week or so last month here because i was counseling and listening sometimes until 3am with a woman that lost their 11 year old son because he blew his brains out with a gun because he couldn't handle life. Now she's in a Mental Hospital. I watched my brother die of cancer and he stayed positive all the time right up until his death. Don't mean to be hard but how long is this thread going to go on? You've had 15 years of sympathy from family and friends and 11 days from members here. :yesnod: |
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So **** off and die. :slap: |
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Btw, nobody noticed you were gone. :seasix: |
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Most people don’t know much about Crohns. Some people who have it hardly have any symptoms. Others die from it. I’d probably be in much better shape if I didn’t have leukemia on top of it. It’s the combination that really ****s things up. I honestly don’t understand people who think medical stuff should be secret. Who gives a shit? I suppose 14 years of going to the cancer center changes ones view. Nobody hides anything there. We lift each other up. Sometimes you can’t do it alone. Why would you? |
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Ten dolla GI. :yesnod: |
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So a friends request will be denied? |
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A bug i contacted that causes internal bleeding and severe cramps. It could have come from food water who knows. |
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sorry about that John. I hope they can figure something out for you. |
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They've had 50 years to figure it out. :Jeff '79: They threw in the towel decades ago. I'am not the only GI that caught some overseas bug. I know a Marine that got a bug in the Middle East with some of the same symptoms. I wish that was the only thing that happened to me. But i go to the VA to the spinal cord section and see young kids that can't move at all they just lay their year after year. Or they have no legs or arms and they're in their 20's. Or the 38 guys i lost in Vietnam from my hometown. Maybe i shouldn't have posted in this thread but i still stand by what i said Nothing against SnikPlosskin it's the alpha male in me. :yesnod: :cert: **** off and die? I much rather have a nice dinner and go sit on a couch and just drop dead without the **** off. :yesnod: |
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I have my own health issues as well, but nothing deadly and it could have been much worse. People like to vent. I can't hold it against anyone, I like to vent sometimes too. I know you took a poll and I'm not well liked, but everyone here is ok by me. I hope to tip one back you someday. Just some random thoughts :cheers: |
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What poll? Outside of neece you are one of the most beloved person's at the Vettebarn. :yesnod: I told my neighbor someone on the internet told me to **** off and die. She said i know snide told her the same thing a week ago. How did she know it was snide i was talking about? :confused5: |
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Here or at CFOT? |
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I never take a Poll if someone isn't around. |
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