Thank you for all your good wishes for Mum and us on yesterday's post. It really means a lot and I will pass them on to Mum when I next see her.
She had an emergency flexible sigmoidoscopy the morning after her admittance to hospital after they had run various tests throughout the night. The procedure although giving her a 50/50% chance of survival went well. It was really slightly worrying to agree to, but the odds were 100% against losing her without it, so myself and my brother just had to say yes. It was the only way the consultant thought it possible to get to the twisted section of her bowel and hopefully untwist it. It worked and her pain was relieved almost immediately.
She is now on oxygen and two drips, and being monitored closely by staff on the ward. Our NHS is brilliant.
Right that' enough medical stuff ... I hate it.
I don't dwell on things, or worry about them ahead of time, it does no good and helps no one, in fact it just makes you live through problems twice. The best thing we can do is to carry on as normal and do what we can, while helping those that need help.
Normal service will be resumed tomorrow!! 😀
Sue xx
Glad to hear she's on the mend, sounds so painful for her. How does one get a twisted bowel? I envy you, I'm afraid I'm a worrier by nature, always have been :-(
ReplyDeleteMum was always a worrier too, it got her nowhere so I suppose I picked up on that from a very early age. As they say 'Worry is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do but gets you nowhere!' So I don't bother.
DeleteFrom what the consultant said it's getting more and more common in the elderly, who have smaller appetites and bad diets. They therefore have weakened bowel and intestinal walls which can collapse and twist. I think I'll stick with my new double breakfasts and weetabix, and hope to keep healthy.
I do agree with you about worrying Sue, it just makes things worse doesn't it. If I catch myself doing it I put out a little prayer to the Gods and try and put it out of my mind. All good wishes to you and your Mum. I'm not much of a commenter but I do read your blog every day. Sally
DeleteThanks Sally. 🙂 xx
DeleteI agree a twisted bowel does sound painful. Hopefully she recovers swiftly. I know I also worry a lot about my mother the older she gets.
ReplyDeleteIt was painful for sure, her abdomen swelled up so quickly it was astonishing. Do what you can for your mother, and be ready to be there for her when necessary, but do try not to worry about things you have no control over. xx
DeleteGlad the procedure went well and your Mum is free of pain. Catriona
ReplyDeleteThat was the main thing. Seeing someone close to you in a lot of pain is not easy is it.
DeleteGlad your Mum is recovering. It's a good attitude not to worry needlessly but often easier said than done.
ReplyDeleteIt can be, but my Dad was never a worrier and I think that I take more after my Dad than my Mum. He was a good practical example for me.
DeleteA twisted bowel is enormously painful, according to my mother who was a nurse in the 50s. I'm so glad they were able to do something simpler than full blown surgery. Good decision on your part!
ReplyDeletePrayers for recovery for all of you.
Full blown surgery was not an option, she would not have survived the anaesthetic. Thank you. xx
DeleteI'm so happy to hear your mums treatment was a success & she's been looked after well by the nhs. It's been such a worrying time for you but your don't dwell motto is a good one (Matthew 6v27 Who of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his life span?).
ReplyDeleteHope ya mum makes a full recovery & is home soon 😊
Matthew's words are very true. While she might recover from some of this episode, a full recovery from all her other problems isn't going to happen sadly. xx
DeleteThanks for the explanation of what a twisted bowel is and the possibilities for treatment.
ReplyDeleteSo glad things went well for your Mum.
I'm a terrible worrier too, and you are right, what a waste of time and life it is.
Alison in Devon x
It really is, but it's hard to get out of a cycle of worrying if it's something you do by default. I find the best way is to force yourself to stop and think 'what can I actually do to help this or stop this', if there's nothing then letting it weigh you down is counter-productive.
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DeleteAlison x
xx
DeleteI've had three dogs go through this and didn't know it could affect people, too. I'm glad your mother is recovering. I'm sure she won't be discharged too quickly.
ReplyDeleteMy sister-in-laws horse has also gone through this twice, but that was caused by eating too much grass and rolling around in the field ... something my Mum has never been guilty of!! ;-)
DeleteI was going to say, had she been a horse, the outlook wouldn't have been at all good. Quite often PTS is the only option. I have to have a Sigmoidoscopy next month (waiting for the appt), but to check my gut rather than anything else. Am going to make sure I eat WELL from now on.
DeleteIt sounds like are already doing quite well overhauling your diet. Keep up the good work. 😀
DeleteThank you for the update - it is hard to watch those we love in pain. May her path to recovery be smooth and swift
ReplyDeleteThank you Angela. ❤️ xx
DeleteAmazing what medical science can do. Sounds like success for your mother.
ReplyDeleteIt really is isn't it. There have been so many discoveries and inventions in our lifetime. 😀
DeleteGood to hear that the treatment worked. As you've remarked, this is yet another sad event as her health continues to deteriorate. So very hard on her and on all of you who love and care for her. Please make sure you take care of yourself. As you noted yesterday in your response to me, the past 18 months have been very rough for you, your brother and Alan, too. Thinking of you. Xx
ReplyDeleteThanks Mary, I really appreciate your kind words. ❤️xx
DeleteYour poor Mum. Yes it is incredibly painful. It is so unfair that these painful and debilatating medical things come upon us in our old age when we have less resources to withstand them. I don't mind fading away when I've worn everything out but all the other stuff seems very cruel of Nature.
ReplyDeleteI would love to just fade gradually away. I'm sure more of us would without modern tests and interventions. 🤔
DeleteGlad to hear that everything went well and your mother is recovering. You are wise not to worry about things. I find it harder to not worry!
ReplyDeleteThanks Bless. I agree for some it is very hard not to worry, I do understand that. 🙂
DeleteI've only just read about your poor mum, Sue, I'm so sorry to hear about all she has been through. Thank God for the procedure. My nan had the same thing when she was in her 80s but had to have the operation. It took her a long time to recover. In those days she was sent to a convalescent home in Kinver to be looked after. I understand that the op was not an option for your mum so thank God there was another option. Sending love and hugs to you, your brother, Alan and your lovely mum.
ReplyDeleteAngie xx
It was good that they could do it, and she tolerated it well. There would be no convalescing at a nice facility these days would there. 😄
DeleteToo right, Sue, my nan treated it like a holiday; resting, dozing, no cooking or washing up! :)
DeleteIt sounds like bliss, but she no doubt really needed it. xx
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