Tag: surgery

Despite having to give Zynaida (one of my furbabies) playtime at 3 o’clock this morning, I’m not as tired as I thought I’d be. I’m currently on my way to the hospital for a consultation with my new surgeon. Hopefully, we’ll just be forming a plan of action today. My other surgeon said he didn’t want to do anything until next year which is fine by me.
I’m also going to have another blood test to see if I need more iron infusions.

This Saturday will mark four months since my surgery. I am pleased to report that I am feeling much closer to “normal”-me than I have all year, despite thinking that I never would, at first. I’m able to eat a lot more than I could before with few exceptions, sleeping has become much easier, and although I do get the occasional pain about the middle, there are times when I can forget I have baggie. I do find that bending and stretching can be a bit uncomfortable at times, and I can’t run much, but I am back to my usual walking speed (so, no longer at escort-mission speed). I know I have a ways to go as I am still adjusting to living with baggie, but I don’t feel quite as overwhelmed anymore.

My first day trip… sorta

So, I finally left the flat and went to a public place today for the first time in over a month! The only places I’ve been to since getting out of the hospital were back to the hospital to collect my meds and to my doctors to have stitches removed. It felt good to go outside and be somewhere that wasn’t medical, and where I could feel more normal.

I had a really nice Eggs Benedict (pouched eggs and bacon on an breakfast muffin) with tea, followed by a chocolate muffin. I am so happy to say that I could eat all that! A couple of months ago I wouldn’t have been able to eat any of it for fear of it causing me major pain and several dashes to the bathroom.

Although this whole stoma/surgery thing has been pretty scary and a bit of a steep learning curve (and still is), I am glad I had it done. I’m no longer in pain after eating, I don’t have to dash to the bathroom (making sure to take my phone because I know I’ll be in there for a long time), and I can eat most foods that I couldn’t before. There are, of course, some restrictions on what I can and can’t eat with my stoma, but nowhere near as many as before. 

It’s odd, but this surgery really has given me a new lease on life. I know I’m still recovering and need to take it slow to ensure I don’t overdo it, but I can feel myself improving, if only a little, each day.

Went for a little walk today and was wished “Good luck” by a complete stranger when he stopped and asked if I was alright because I was walking slowly and holding my tummy. Small amount of faith in humanity restored.

thisturtleisneon:

I remember being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in the fall of my junior year and thinking it was a death sentence. Not immediate, but eventual. I remember also thinking that having a colectomy was the worst thing that could possibly happen to me; that any medicine was better than surgery, no matter the side effects, and that I wouldn’t be a complete person without a colon. Which was stupid because a) it meant I made the decision to undergo multiple hospitalizations and endless drug treatments over two and a half years and b) as Clare put it, “whoever said you needed a colon to kick ass was sorely mistaken.” The ostomy bag isn’t forever, and it took a lot of getting used to, and it still weirds a lot of people out, but I consider it another step in the long list of steps that I’m doing an impressive job of conquering. I’d rather have a bag of 💩hanging from my abdomen than bright red blood in the toilet, excruciating pain, anemia, fatigue, weight loss, hopelessness, colonoscopies, infusions, blood tests, and up to 30 pills a day with fun side effects like immunosuppression, anxiety, moonface, weight gain, hair growth, white blood cell loss, osteoporosis, and more. Hey, it isn’t pretty, but it’s what I’ve dealt with and there’s nothing shameful about anyone’s body or what anyone has to go through to get to happiness. So here’s the colitis patient / ostomate body positivity post that no one asked for but everyone secretly needed. Only two more surgeries to go!

Having just been through my first surgery, this was really good to read. I hope to get used to my bag and be back to “normal” before long so I can continue to live life to the fullest!

Source: thisturtleisneon

Monday update

I’m doing better today. My pain is fairly low at the moment so I’m on oral paracetamol, and my movement, although still a little stiff, I no longer need someone to help me around.
As for my stoma, it’s a little swollen but they said that’s normal. I’m used to emptying the bag and changing it is becoming easier. The nurses said they are impressed with how well I’m doing and the doctors said I may be able to go home by the weekend.
Fingers crossed because I really would like to be back in my own environment soon.

I don’t want to jinx myself, but…

I feel like I am improving. I’m out of bed and in my own clean pajamas, watching Castle season one and actually eating a bit easier. I’m only on jelly and soup today but they did say I can try proper food tomorrow if I want.

I’m getting on with my stoma ok; I’m able to empty and change the bag with little help now so the nurse said she is quite happy to sign me off.

I hope this means I can go home by the end of next week but I’m not holding my breath, just in case.

Feeling a little foggy this afternoon but I’m hoping a nap later might help. I’m just starting on clear foods today so I’m taking that as a good sign I’m recovering quickly.
I still have a catheter in but I’m hoping they’ll remove that soon so I’m a bit more comfortable.

Just a little update…

I’m feeling a bit better now; my brain fog has almost all gone and my pain is very low. My mouth is still ridiculously dry but then I’m still not really allowed to consume anything aside from sips of water and the occasional sweet. I hope a good night’s sleep tonight will improve all this so I can keep feeling better.