Home again; not a bite of solid food since Saturday morning or two days to come
Tuesday, July 24, 2012 at 1:20PM 
On Saturday morning, Margie served me a bowl of oatmeal. I ate it. Not long after that, we headed to the emergency room at the hospital here in the valley, where I hoped to get a few new stitches put in to replace the ones that had come out and then to come back home. I felt hungry even as Margie drove me toward the hospital. I looked forward to when we would leave in maybe two hours, and we could stop somewhere and get a bite to eat on the way home.
And I have not had a bite of solid food since. In fact, I have gone long periods of time without even any liquid food, but only an IV drip, just in case I had to go into surgery on a moment's notice.
Yesterday, after the doctor looked at me, he said I could go home. Then he added that he wanted me to stay on a clear liquid diet for three more days - this to be as gentle as possible on the part of my intestine where it was sewn back together.
So here I am back home, consuming chicken broth, apple juice, chicken broth and water. Still, it is good to be home.
Oh yes, there is something solid that I am consuming. Pills. My antibiotics, and my painkiller. But I have only had one painkiller in the past 24 hours, because I am a little worried about all this and the pain is not quite as bad as it was before. Before I left the hospital my nurse said I should have food with my antibiotic pills, but the only food I can have is clear liquid. Yet, if I don't have the antibiotics, that third surgery is a certainty. I really hope to avoid the third surgery.
Reader Comments (11)
I'm glad you're back home. Take care of yourself! We don't want you to have that third surgery, either. Big hugs from New Mexico.
Do you think you can graduate to a smoothie after the clear broth?
Glad to hear you're back home Bill ! Slow and steady wins the race. Go easy on those pipes! Even though you're probably really hungry, go slow introducing solid foods back into your diet. Based on my experiences with colon problems (thankfully no surgery for me) and of course check with your Dr, but I would stay away from high fiber and go with soft foods next - avoid anything hard to chew. Try mashed potatoes, applesauce, soups with soft vegetables and meats, pureed if necessary so it's easier to digest, pasta/ noodles, scrambled or soft boiled eggs. If you're ok with dairy, milkshakes would be good, too and you can always check the Google 'soft food diet' for other ideas. Good luck !
Cherries - juiced.
Take good care..... God bless.
OmegaMom - hugs from New Mexico always feel good.
Deborah - Not until Thursday. If nothing changes between now and then, Thursday I can graduate.
Pat - you can be certain I will go very, very, slow.
Cyndy - Right now, apple juice and cran-raspberry is what is available to me, I enjoy them both.
Nancy - you must have been posting at the same time I was. Thank you and God bless you too.
I am glad you are home. I have had my share of colon "moments," if you will. Slow and steady wins. Keep a close eye on your scar. It will tell you when you are ready to do other things. Learn how your fixed-up colon sends signals to your brain. Almost a back-to-the-80's bio-feedback thing. Best of luck, and feel better soon!
I hope you feel better soon!!!
You're one day closer to real food! Woot woot!!
If you are able to handle, when the time comes, milk products Protein powder smoothies with yogurt, blueberries and 2% milk are great. Or other fruit that's easy to digest, maybe even a little "ice cream" added.