"jmcquown" wrote in message
. ..
Yes, it's me. Yes, I was in the hospital. Yes, Matthew, I was posting in
the wee hours of Saturday morning (7/12) because I was so uncomfortable I
couldn't sleep. By 11AM I was in the emergency room, having been whisked
off by ambulance. I couldn't stand up, much less drive myself to the
hospital. And Mom, bless her, was too freaked out to even think about
driving. Here I'm supposed to be acting as her caregiver and I wind up in
the hospital *again*! NOTE: the doc says even if I'd stayed in the
hospital the first time around for a day or two it probably wouldn't have
made any difference.

Diagnosis: perforated colon. I was on heavy duty IV antibiotics, IV
fluids and a LOT of pain medication. Two shots of morphine in the ER
didn't do it. They had to give me something that practically knocked me
out. Gradually I was able to eat soft foods withouth a problem and they
removed the drain (which was more uncomfortable than anything after a
couple of days). Long story short, I'm back home now, still on heavy-duty
antibiotics and a strict diet. Do I feel like cooking? No. Do I have to?
Yes. Dammit!

I have to see the surgeon for more tests next week. I'm going to be
scheduled for laproscopic surgery to remove part of my colon (oh joys!)
but hopefully we've caught it soon enough a colostomy won't be necessary.
There's still a chance of that; I was told not to be discouraged if this
comes back before we can schedule my surgery and it might lead to a
temporary colostomy.

John left on June 30th. He was with me for the trip and also is the one
who took me to the emergency room. But he had to get back home. Wouldn't
have mattered; there wasn't anything he really could have done by still
being here. And yes, I contacted the neighbor and got someone to take
care of her kitties.

I was more worried about Mom and Persia than anything else. Mom assurred
me she was taking care of herself, eating and taking her meds (ha!). I do
know she was feeding Persia. I had the foresight to unplug Persia's
Drinkwell fountain; I knew Mom couldn't lift it let alone clean it out.

Mom made attempts at litterbox scooping. I'll have to give it a good
washing today. This is the only time in my life I've been able to walk
into a room and it screamed CAT!!! Mom just wasn't able to scoop all the
clumped stuff way down deep. I'll take it outside and fill it with dish
soap and give it a good squirt with the hose; it's about all I'm capable
of. I'm very tired.

Purrs to all who need them. A few continuing purrs for myself wouldn't
hurt I'm not out of the woods yet.

Jill


Oh Jill, so relieved to hear from you. Continued purrs for a quick
recovery.


--
Theresa, Stinky and Dante
drtmuirATearthlink.net

Stinky Pictures: http://community.webshots.com/album/125591586JWEFwh