The recovery got progressively harder last week as she valiantly tried to have a bowel movement. Despite laxatives, suppositories and enemas, her bowel was slow to wake up. Her spirits were still high, especially on Thursday in anticipation of going home. They tried pumping her with all of the above to get her bowels moving so she could be released Friday. She had a few very small BM's but nothing substantial since the surgery. She developed a lot of bloating and gas pain in her abdomen area while unsuccessful with having a BM. Nevertheless, they felt she was ready to go home on Friday despite her not having a substantial BM. The car ride home was very uncomfortable due to the gas pains and bloating.
Saturday and Sunday got progressively worse as she was still unable to have a BM. Her pain got worse, she was unable to eat or drink much. Although she had a fairly substantial BM early Sunday morning (5:00 am) with the help of an enema, she got progressively worse rather than better as we hoped. Finally at approximately 7:00 pm Sunday , we brought her to Virginia Mason Hospital emergency. She was given a CT scan to ascertain if she had a bowel instruction. It was found that she does have a small obstruction, probably due to scarring or inflammation from the surgery but they are not completely sure. She had to have a procedure called a NG tube where a clear plastic tube was inserted through her nose, past her throat and down into her stomach so that her stomach could be drained. It is extremely painful and uncomfortable for her. The worst part being we don't know how long it stays in. Could be today or a couple of days. It just depends on when the obstruction clears. Please pray that it is removed soon and her bowels resume ther natural function. She will remain at Virginia Mason until the situation is resolved. We are hoping it resolves with the NG tube rather than surgery.
Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. We're hoping and praying for a quick resolution to this small but painful complication so that she can resume the path to good health and a high quality of life.
Peter
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