Re: Bowel Obstruction & Wonderful Dr. K

May 14, 2011

Gosh I can't believe it's been 2 weeks since I even peeked at this group.

...thanks for sharing this very valuable information. I not only carry Dr.

K's Card in my wallet, I include his phone number in my cell phone as my I.C.E.

Doctor (In Case of Emergency) Emergency medical people will check for ICE

numbers and you can have multiple...like ICE spouse. I also make sure that my

ICE people have Dr. K's Card in their wallet, because after all, if I'm sick

they are the ones who will be advocating for me.

Would you mind telling what your symptoms were, what the pain felt like. It

could help someone identify the problem early and give them time to get to Dr.

K. You said you thought you had the flu...were you vomitng?

Also...what was the instruction that Dr. K gave your husband. Being

knowledgeably can help us know if we are receiving appropriate care should we

find our self in a similar situation.

It is comforting to know that Dr. K is a phone call away should we need him.

I'm glad you are feeling better.

Hugs

Jo

>

> I don't post often but I wanted to make sure everyone knows just how reliable

and available Dr K is when you need him. I'm a DSer six years out and live in

Northern California, and had a recent bowel obstruction (thought it was the flu,

duh), but my DH immediately contacted Dr K when we were told it was an

obstruction (I was in lala land, Dilaudid). This was a Sunday evening, and

within 15 minutes Dr. K called DH and gave him instructions on what to tell the

surgeons and his personal cell phone number so they could call him with any

questions. My DH said if he could have yank out all the IVs, NG tube, and foley

he would have thrown me in the car and drove directly to Dr K! DH has complete

faith in Dr K, almost believing he walks on water! (So do I!) Pleas do not

ignore abdominal pain and ALWAYS have Dr K's contact info available 24/7! He is

truly there for us.

>

> aka Queenie

>

May 14, 2011

I have just entered Dr. K in my cellphone under my ICE numbers. Thank you, Jo, for the suggestion. What are the absolute best numbers for him that should be entered (clinic and also cell phone?)? Thanks . Sonja S.Washington DCGRDS 11/29/06Ø 100 lbs lost and holdingØ Still more energetic, flexible, healthy, and tireless than in November 2006 Gosh I can't believe it's been 2 weeks since I even peeked at this group. ...thanks for sharing this very valuable information. I not only carry Dr. K's Card in my wallet, I include his phone number in my cell phone as my I.C.E. Doctor (In Case of Emergency) Emergency medical people will check for ICE numbers and you can have multiple...like ICE spouse. I also make sure that my ICE people have Dr. K's Card in their wallet, because after all, if I'm sick they are the ones who will be advocating for me.

June 8, 2011

Sorry, I just read your response and request for further info. I finally found

you guys on Facebook so I have been following you there. Jo, I can't tell you

how much your posts have helped me live the DS life well. Your information is

priceless, you are a jewel! Thank you.

Now the further info, symptoms of my bowel obstruction came on like stomach flu.

I began vomiting, and then proceeded to continue to have dry heaves. The pain in

the abdomen was crampy and proceeded to worsen until it was like labor pains.

After three days, DH took me to the nearest hospital. (He still regrets not

throwing me in the car and driving all night to Dr. K!)

When they stated I had a bowel obstruction, immediately DH called Dr. K (On a

Sunday evening!). Dr. K returned the call within 15 minutes and DH advised him

of my current situation and what testing had been.

Dr. K advised DH, DO NOT WAIT - PROCEED WITH SURGERY, ASAP! (DH still wanted to

drive me to Dr. K) Bowel obstructions (mine already confirmed by CT scans and

fluoroscopy studies) can be life threatening (compromised blood flow/necrotic

bowel) and immediate intervention with surgery was unavoidable.

The directions from Dr. K to DH was to make sure the surgeons understood the DS

procedure (which DH had the pic card) and my " plumbing " . He advised DH to alert

surgeons to CAREFULLY work around the alimentary limb/bilary limb connection to

insure the reconnection is done exactly as he had originally performed. Dr. K

also advised DH to direct the surgeons to DS website (which he provided) for

more information.

Dr. K then provided his personal cell number and asked to have my surgeons call

him with any questions, concerns, or my medical history.

DH become quite the advocate for me (bothersome, to some of the hospital staff),

and everything proceeded well.

Always have Dr. K's contact information with you; if possible, have a trusted

strong advocate already assigned; and never ignore abdominal pain.

> >

> > I don't post often but I wanted to make sure everyone knows just how

reliable and available Dr K is when you need him. I'm a DSer six years out and

live in Northern California, and had a recent bowel obstruction (thought it was

the flu, duh), but my DH immediately contacted Dr K when we were told it was an