My support belt arrived the other day so I’m giving it a go and wearing it to work today. It’s not that I’ve been advised to wear it a lot but I’ve found my stomach muscles hurt in the afternoon/evening if I’ve been working or just walking around a lot so I figured I’d try wearing the belt to see if it helps.

Surgery #2

So, I saw my new surgeon last Thursday and I think it went quite well. He explained everything that has been done already and what happens to form a J-pouch. He also reassured me that I can go back to an ostomy if the j-pouch doesn’t work out.

Apparently, they usually wait until six months after the initial surgery to do the next one but I said I’d rather wait until next year. I have another appointment with him again in December so I’ve got plenty of time to decided when I want to go for my next surgery.

I was thinking April 2018 but after speaking with my boss (who has a similar condition but hasn’t got a diagnosis yet), I think I’d rather do it earlier. She recommended January because the weather in April will be warmer which could effect my BM; the last thing I need straight after surgery would be complications because of the heat. I’m going to take a little more time to decided but I agree that earlier would be better. I found that over winter last year I could (sort of) control my UC symptoms a little better with heat pads, despite the meds I was on at the time not actually working without the assistance of pred.

Also, if I go ahead in January, hopefully all my surgeries will be over by April/May. My surgeon said they usually wait at least three months before doing the final surgery that’ll remove the blob.

It feels a little strange to think that I would have gone almost a year exactly from diagnosis to surgery and then another year from first surgery to final surgery. I’m a little excited; part of me wants to say “no, don’t wait! Get it over with!” However, I don’t want to be in hospital over Christmas so I think it’s worth me waiting until the new year.

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.

Sorry for the lack of posts, I’ve been pretty busy with work lately. I don’t have much to write about at the moment so here’s a picture for #SelfieSunday instead. I hope everyone is having a restful bank holiday weekend.

Stoma check all done. The nurse is very happy with how the blob is looking and how the convex bags are holding up much better than the flat ones. She’s given me some information on gentle exercises that I can do at home, as well as a prescription for a support belt. I’m hoping to go back to the gym at some point but I don’t want to do anything before the nurses say I’m ready. A support belt will help and I can always get other support items if I need them.

It’s been a couple of days since my iron infusion and although I don’t feel amazing, I also don’t feel as tired as I normally do. I think it’s working.
I guess we’ll see in a couple of weeks; I need to have another blood test to see if I have to have more 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.

Thank you so much @thatchronicfeeling! I really appreciate the heads-up on the possible side effects; I honestly had no idea what to expect. I really hope the infusion works.

Saw my GI this afternoon. He wants to check my magnesium, potassium and sodium levels but other than that, he’s quite happy with how I’m doing. Unfortunately, the blood test lab is closed now so I’ll have to go back to the hospital tomorrow to have that done. Hopefully, my levels will come back fine.