after 4 bouts of diverticulitis, i was advised by my doctor and 3 surgeons to have sigmoid colon removed. Because they now give a blood thinner to prevent dvt a few hours post surgery I roused to find a roomful of nurses and a doctor trying to decide whether or not to take me back to surgery or to send me to ICU.

Kidneys not working, pulse 120, blood pressure 57/40, hemoglobin, potassium, magnesium dropping … all because of blood thinner. They increased whatever solution was in my veins to a bag every 2 hours and gave me 2 units of blood. I gained 35 lbs in water weight overnight, but recovered. Two days post-op started running a fever, developing pneumonia Resolved that, they sent me home after 5 days. Week later developed infection in incision (surgery was done laparoscopically and with small incision to remove colon). Incision had to be packed for 3 1/2 weeks before it almost closed. It’s been 6 weeks now since surgery and I have not had a normal bowel movement. I’ve tried stool softeners, fiber, papaya extract, and have resorted to laxative couple of times. I am bloated, gassy, burpy, miserable daily. Surgeon told me sounds like I have a motility problem and released me. I’m hoping for a miracle and that things will get back to normal, but after 6 weeks I’m losing hope. My next step will be to go back to my GP in hopes of some help.