Surgery and no D

[Sheila]

It's been 5 weeks since I had a "suspension arthroplasty" done on my right hand/thumb. The joint was bone on bone and beyond painful. The surgery involves removing a bone, a tendon graft from my forearm and pins to hold it all together for 3 weeks. I'll be in a succession of casts and splints for 3-4 months. I was concerned about a possible reaction to the stress of the surgery. I decided not to dwell on it, not to discuss it here or anywhere else and to pretty much not worry. Easier said than done, but I tried very hard to be positive.

There was NO D, no bad reaction to the drugs used or the surgery itself. I prepared a lot of simple food that I could just reheat because I wouldn't have use of my right hand for several weeks. I'm hoping that after two years GF,SF, DF and EF plus close to two years on Entocort, inflammation has been greatly reduced. The very simple diet I was forced to be on also convinced me to stop trying to replicate favorite recipes in a GF format. It just doesn't work very well and usually involves questionable ingredients. It took a long time but I have finally accepted a very basic and simple diet. No tears for sauces, cheese, omelets, french fries, pasta, Chinese take out, pizza, salad, mashed potatoes, etc etc etc.

Two weeks ago I reduced Entocort from 3 mg every other day to 3 mg every three days with no problem. I felt well enough to give it a try and so far, so good. I intend to continue the Entocort once every three days until my body tells me to try once every four days. I've learned from my friends here that discontinuing Entocort too quickly and then going back on it again, can be problematic. It doesn't seem to work as well the second time around. I'm probably over cautious but I'd rather be on the safe side than the sorry side.

I didn't think I'd ever get to this point and I'm so grateful for all of the information and support from Tex and this group. God only knows, without all of you, I'd still be sleeping on the toilet.

Sheila W

[CathyMe.]

GREAT news Sheila!! So glad your recovery from the surgery is going well and sounds as though the diet is working!! Continued good luck with your recovery!

[JFR]

Such good news Sheila. I hope your hand heals well to go along with your success in controlling MC. I too have found that a very simple basic diet is the way to go. No tears shed for all those things I no longer eat, just gratitude that I no longer have to live in the bathroom. The dog is grateful too because while things were really bad I could not take him for a walk. Even stepping out the door felt dangerous. This forum is what saved me and I am so grateful I found it.

Jean

[tex]

Sheila,

That's terrific. It's a very empowering feeling to be in control and finally have things going your way, isn't it.

That was apparently a very complex surgery, and I'm glad that it went so well. I hope the rest of your recovery goes smoothly, also.

Thanks for the update.

Tex

[Leah]

YAY SHEILA!

[ldubois7]

I'm so glad you're on the other side of the surgery.
Continued success on a speedy recovery & no mc symptoms!

[Gloria]

Good news, Sheila! I think your tapering schedule sounds good. It's always better to listen to our body than to follow a prescribed regimen. Too bad most doctors don't agree.

I hope your hand surgery heals well and you will be back to normal quickly.

Gloria

[DebE13]

I'm happy everything went well for you. Surgeries sure can create a lot of extra anxiety. Hope your recovery is quick!

[carolm]

Great news Sheila! It sure reduces anxiety to go through something like surgery and not have a flare. I hope the rest of your recovery is quick and smooth.

carol

[Martha]

Oh, Sheila, that's wonderful! I hope that you have a good recovery from the surgery, and don't feel too limited by not being able to use your hand as you're used to doing.

Love,
Martha

[wmonique2]

Great news Sheila! Wishing you continued recovery!

Monique