1974KP,
thank you so much. We suffer, we survive and we live to tell the tale...that is what I was taught...that we pass it on, transmit the experience in order for others to lean and not have to make the same mistakes that we did.
The suffering will happen to us all, no matter what. Age brings on its own share of indignities and having suffered does not protect us from that.
I used to say that with all that I have suffered, I should get a pass on the stupid stuff.
But I didnt't.
I recently (18months ago), broke both of my arms and my wrists...no joke.
I was running (never a good idea in Uggs) from one campus to another and hooked both feet on a raised subway grating. I flew like superwoman (I am superwoman but I cannot fly apparently) and landed arms first. Hit my face next and then my knee. I passed out for the 1st time in my life.
So, I had always wondered how I would deal with my k pouch with only 1 arm (sort of like when you have an I.V. in it) but it never occurred to me how to do it without any arms...
They did not cast me, only x-rayed the 2 elbows and said that they do not cast elbows, to wear a sling...1 month later they were more broken than before.
18 months later they have not healed and they will do nothing to help me other than operate to remove the radial heads on both arms...Risky because they could paralyze my arms or do serious damage...
I live with it and have developed all sorts of new ways of intubating...we are, a resilient group...we find what we need to do and do it.
It isn't easy but it works...had to change my eating habits for a while..only liquids and soups etc so that I never had to irrigate or remove chunks from the tube...Had a nurse come in 3xs to help...She was a disaster and I gave up.
If I have any advice to give us all it is that the future is unknown so be prepared for anything...keep a hook-up kit ready, available and easily accessible, where you can put an indwelling tube in in a pinch and keep it there without help.
Always prepare 2 extra kits for travel and keep 1 in a carry on at all times if needed.
In 2 months I celebrate my 40yrs with my k pouch and I have never, ever regretted taking the risk and chance with Dr C...I thank you A thousand times for trusting me.
Sharon