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Monday, July 2nd Julie (mom's sister) took her to the Sauk Clinic because Sue thought she had an UTI and was in pain over the weekend. Sue was throwing up and in a great deal of abdominal pain Saturday. On Sunday she was feeling a little better but thought she should still go in. When Sue arrived in the Sauk Clinic they confirmed a UTI along with a kidney infection. While doing an exam Sue was tender/sore to the touch in her abdomen area. The Dr. then found she had air in her intestines and sent her straight to the UW as the Dr. thought she needed immediate surgery.
During this time Julie, is calling us (Tara & Tonya) as we are driving back from Utah and just crossed into Wisconsin when we heard the news that Mom was going to the UW Hospital. We then changed course and headed straight to Middleton to drop off the kids with Brian (Tara's husband) so we could continue to the UW.
Upon arrival at the UW Hospital, Sue was admitted and was informed that she did need surgery as the Dr's believed she had a perforation or hole either in her colon or intestines due to the amount of air that was present in her abdomen. Dr. Jung would be the surgeon. Mom understood everything and was ready to start feeling better as her pain levels had reached 10+ over the weekend and into Monday morning. Sue's condition was VERY serious due to the infection she had in her abdomen due to the hole/perforation in the colon.
All the while everything was happening to Sue, Joe was at home as both of them thought at the beginning of the day mom would be given antibiotics for a UTI and be sent home.
Sue left for surgery around 7pm while her sisters and daughters waited to find out what the outcome was.
Hours later the Dr. informed us that Sue's abdomen and intestines were filled with infection. They cleaned out the intestines and the abdomen. Her intestines were filled in puss/infection in sacks and were still concerned with infection after surgery. Due to the type of infection and the perforation in her colon, the Dr's had to do a Colostomy bag. Sue has a very long incision in her abdomen along with 2 ports for drainage and the colostomy bag. Her abdomen is very very sore - Sue will need to take it easy for a long time.
Sue will be in the hospital for 2-3 weeks depending on the infection. She will also need to be in the hospital due to the colostomy bag. Sue's body needs to reset and rest due to the amount of infection and perforations she had. The colostomy bag will be reversed somewhere down the road. We have been told anywhere from 3-12 months.
Because of Joe, Sue is well aware of how these bags work and is a pro. Sue's colostomy bag is different than what Joe had but essentially she will do what she did with Joe to help him.
We appreciate all the love and support everyone has shown us. Sue is a fighter and has shown us how strong is she so we are confident she will pull through.
We will keep this page updated as to what we know as it will be a long recovery in the hospital and at home.
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