Okay, I'm like 8 weeks out from emergency Hartmann's (no prep).
I've been feeling the need to void the rectum; it should be mucus - should be normal, right?
I've had like legit stool come out (small amounts). I guess it's just been chillin' for 8 weeks? There is literally no other way for it to get there…
Has anyone else had this?
What are people's experiences with expelling mucus? Do you use anything like a suppository or enema?
Hello, I also had emergency Hartmann's (got reversal surgery on January 30th of this year) ....did not experience this but was warned in the hospital it could happen. They called it the Ghost Turd. Eight weeks seems a little long for it to show up though? You could ask your care team.
As far as mucus....never had to use anything, it just came out on its own. Sometimes it was liquid and I didn't feel it come out, but I'd see it in the toilet - other times it was like pellets and I could definitely tell. Most times it was white or putty-colored, a few times it was pinkish like blood and scared me - called my surgeon's office, they told me it was normal. But yes, the feeling of having to void was normal when I was expelling mucus, at least it was for me.
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Ghost turd! I wish they'd warned me. This was a meager ghost turn; I wouldn't call it a turd, more like a few drops or squirts.
I've had 0 activity in the past 8 weeks, zilch. Some pressure, but nothing coming out.
I've had a lot of feeling pressure, though. I spoke with my surgeon's office this morning, and they recommended an enema or suppository. I used an enema, and that was about all that came out.
True story - I swear that's what they called it in the hospital! Can't make this stuff up....
Just to say, a few days later (I did the enema on the 24th, and it's the 28th) I felt the sudden urge to poop…and I did.
I had an actual ghost turd, not just a few little squirts. A ball about an inch in diameter. That dry ghost had been hiding out for almost 9 weeks; I guess the enema got it moving. I wonder if that is all the ghost turd.
I really, really hate these "Ghost Turds."
I pass this horrible goo two times a day.
Want to wear white pants? Think again.
I can't express (okay, okay) how much I hate this.
I guess that does really happen with others? What if the output stops, but the "defunct" rectal stumps have begun to deliver?
No idea why I have a vast amount of rectal discharge.
I really hate it, more than dealing with my ostomy pouch.
I am 66 years old, and when going out, I wear a long sanitary pad. I thought I was done with those!
I did order "period underwear" that has an absorbent pad that goes high in the rear. I just got them today. Hoping this is a solution.
Still hoping for a reversal. This may work when going out.
It was not. Earlier this week, I got up, went to work (at my WFH office), and started drinking my daily energy drink… got “that feeling.”
I kid you not, this was a 4-5” turd. Curved, like from the sigmoid junction, which is where I'm stapled off. I hope it's the end of it.
I was shocked! But it was reassuring; I still have good muscle tone, and all the stuff down there is working correctly. But that turd had been there since the end of July.
Kind of amusing.
Yeah! That is what I thought.
I guess they were busy cleaning out the purulent fluid and abscesses and assume any leftover stool will come on its own (I did call the surgeon's office; they are aware).
So up to 8 weeks, there was no action at the rectum. I've documented my stool experiences, but since that last one, I've had almost daily mucus. It's like it took a few weeks to kick in and start doing stuff again.
I just got the approval for the CT for assessment for reversal. I'm calling tomorrow to set up the appointment. I'll discuss the rectal action with the surgeon, but it likely indicates healthy bowel activity.
