[marigoldaz]

Today my 81 year old Mom (who is 1900 miles away from me) had 14" of infected colon removed. She has been sick for almost 2 months. They did a 'temporary' ostomy, and now she is septic and in ICU (low blood pressure). I have looked at WEBMD, and cannot find the answers I need. What can we expect? Is she in danger? I have read that the surgery is 99% successful. Is this true? Any help (and encouragement) would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you, Marigoldaz

[inthebox]

If the original surgery was to remove a badly infected colon [ abscess or gangrene ] then removing that portion definitely helps . Antibiotics alone will not help.

If the CAUSE of the infection was due to cancer or poor circulation then her outlook is worse than if it was just an infection [ example , diverticulitis ] .

The fact that she still has a bad infection [ sepsis = an infection that has spread to the blood stream causing low blood pressure, shock, or other organ systems to fail ] is not good.

Again another surgery [ if she can tolerate another surgery ] to remove that infected portion of the colon would help. The colon is approximately 72 inches long .

A colostomy [ end of the colon to the surface of the belly through a 'bag'] may be reversed, depending on a lot of other factors, at some time in the future when she is healthier.

I don't get on here that often , and I know this is 6 days late, I hope your grandmother is better.