(07-05-2025, 07:45 AM)David64 Wrote: March is when I start gearing up for fishing season, but so far, haven't been fishing once this year.
Last year, I had some lower abdomen issues such as pain, bloating, cramps etc, so I went to see my Dr and she said it was probably Colitis which is -
Colitis is inflammation of the colon, or large intestine. It can be caused by various factors, including infections, autoimmune conditions, inadequate blood flow, and even certain medications.
After some anti biotics and nausea meds it cleared up, everything was fine and life went on.
Fast forward to March of this year and I started having some mild pain in my lower abdomen. Just gas or something I ate I thought. No, this kept getting worse over the next couple of weeks and in the middle of the night, I ended up in the E.R. The Doc siad Colitis again and that it may be chronic, just flaring up on occasion. Anti biotics and nausea meds again, but this time it didn't get better. In fact it got worse and worse. SEVERE stabbing pains, nausea, diarrhea, etc till there was nothing left. Another midnight trip to the ER and they did a CT scan and STILL diagnosed Colits.
2 days later I was at the end of my rope. Over the 3 months this had been going on, I'd lost 25 lbs because I couldn't keep anything down and my stomach was so distended I looked 8 months pregnant. They did a Colonoscopy and the probe wouldn't fit. My lower colon was smaller than a pencil. More tests and I mean they did them Right Now no waiting.
Flash back....On ATS I posted about having prostate cancer a couple years ago and after surgery to remove the prostate, I had radiation therapy.
The radiation had been slowly killing my colon over the last 2 years. So, emergency surgery to remove 18 inches of my lower colon and a colostomy bag, which I still have but Doc said it's temporary, probably reverse it in November. While they were in there, my bowel ruptured and spilled fecal matter into the body cavity and after 2 weeks in the hospital and some serious anti biotics, I came home. Weak as a kitten, 30 lbs under weight and still no appetite. In the hospital I'd been fed by an IV because I just couldn't eat without throwing up. Got out of the hospital June 1st, but still on serious anti biotics. I had a PICC line in my arm and had to go to the hospital every day for 2 weeks to get IV anti biotics.
When I had gotten out of the hospital I noticed my right leg kept hurting if I walked more than about 100 ft. I thought 'Meh, it'll get better when as I get better "
The pain kept getting worse and I was getting short of breath just walking 100 ft.
Well, my toes turned blue and my Wife took me to the ER. Went for a Doppler of my leg, thigh and hip and Lo and Behold !! my femoral artery is almost completely blocked. Guess who is the culprit. It's not bacon or biscuits and gravy.
Radiation got that too.
So now that I'm semi back on my feet,{ still 20 lbs underweight and get tired really easy } I need another surgery to get that fixed and it's not as simple as a balloon to clear it or a stint. They have to go into my lower right abdomen to the deep part of the artery and do a graft or just cut out the blocked area and sew the ends back together. Waiting on a call back from my Vascular Surgeon to set the date.
Like I said, this year sucks.
I am really sorry to hear that. . . That's a lot of shit all piled up all at once.
And no joke.
My dad passed from prostate cancer, sepsis technically. . .
Do you have any regrets about the radiation therapy you got that caused this or there was literally no other choice?
Wishing you the best and a speedy recovery to you from all of the ailments!
