Big, big, BIG prayers needed for Allie- UPDATE on #148

[Grace]

Will they let her go home before she poops?

When people have surgery on their intestines, normally they have to at least pass gas before going home - to make sure everything is truly open down there.

[Cataholic]

Grace,
It is likely that Allie hadn't eaten in 2 weeks before surgery. She hasn't had food since surgery. It might be some time before my girl poops, and not eating at all only delays it.

[Grace]

Grace,
It is likely that Allie hadn't eaten in 2 weeks before surgery. She hasn't had food since surgery. It might be some time before my girl poops, and not eating at all only delays it.

I didn't realize it had been so long since she ate. Did they give her an tube feedings at all before she removed the tube?

That reminds me of a patient from long ago. He had an ET (endotracheal tube) to help him breathe. He pulled it out all by himself, and did better once it was out. It's called a therapeutic extubation.

[Cataholic]

Grace-
She had an NT about 11 hours after surgery, until today, so about 1.5 days. My understanding is that it was a constant drip. The plan is to entice her to eat, or, on Monday, she gets the ET.

I have her secured in a room, with no jumpable objects. She is kind of dazed...but, much more interactive then she was this am. I am still debating whether I will sleep in there, or leave her alone.

The pathology came back on the intestine. I already knew the mass was LGL, or something like that...a non-responsive form of lymphoma to chemo. The ends of the intestine, that were removed to hopefully obtain clean margins, showed a more common and better treatable form of lymphoma. So, Allie will undergo chemo, God willing.

I could just cry. But, what is the point? One foot in front of the other, with an eye towards a finish line.

thanks again,
Johanna

[lizbud]

Johanna, (((Hugs))) Allie might have a sore throat from the tube. It
might make eating uncomfortable at first. I think she sounds pretty good
considering the invasive surgery she had. Keeping her from moving around
may be more important than her eating just yet.

Can she stay in a crate or cat carrier overnight?

[Cataholic]

Johanna, (((Hugs))) Allie might have a sore throat from the tube. It
might make eating uncomfortable at first. I think she sounds pretty good
considering the invasive surgery she had. Keeping her from moving around
may be more important than her eating just yet.

Can she stay in a crate or cat carrier overnight?

I would have to double check with Grace, but I think the NT doesn't bother the throat at all like the ET does. I can tell Allie is dopey...blank staring, unsteady gait, etc. I put down 3 types of food, and water, made her a hidey hole, and told J to leave her alone!!! I will medicate her in an hour or so, but, I think we should just leave her be for the night. I hope.

I can't imagine keeping her in a crate, after spending the last 5 days in one, KWIM? It is a pretty small room- J's bedroom (LOL, like he uses it???). I have his twin mattress down, the box spring up against the wall, and one dresser on top of the other to keep her from jumping. And, of course, a litter box. She does like his room...so, I hope by tomorrow morning there is some food gone. Hope, hope, hope.

Please, little girl, eat!!!

[Grace]

Can you give her some broth with a syringe - squirt it in her mouth? Some of it will go down. It would be time-consuming, but at least she would get some nourishment.

Johanna, you're correct. Those NT tubes are very tiny and cause very little irritation while being inserted or while in. The ET is a whole nother matter.

[lizbud]

I would have to double check with Grace, but I think the NT doesn't bother the throat at all like the ET does. I can tell Allie is dopey...blank staring, unsteady gait, etc. I put down 3 types of food, and water, made her a hidey hole, and told J to leave her alone!!! I will medicate her in an hour or so, but, I think we should just leave her be for the night. I hope.

I can't imagine keeping her in a crate, after spending the last 5 days in one, KWIM? It is a pretty small room- J's bedroom (LOL, like he uses it???). I have his twin mattress down, the box spring up against the wall, and one dresser on top of the other to keep her from jumping. And, of course, a litter box. She does like his room...so, I hope by tomorrow morning there is some food gone. Hope, hope, hope.

Please, little girl, eat!!!

Sounds good Johanna. As long as she has nothing to climb on, she should
settle down eventually. Sleep tight Allie, hope you feel better tomorrow.