more fecal transplant for c.diff questions

I've been plodding along in my usual "something is wrong with my GI system, but who knows if it's IBS, C.diff, or Crohn's" crap that I seem to chronically struggle with. Anyway, I've been having trouble eating much the past few days and at around 4:45 AM I woke up with the miserable, foul smelling poop, that seems like the c.diff is really back. I brought in a stool sample this morning and I am awaiting results, which should take a couple of days.

Here's my problem....I'm right in the middle of rehearsals for a play. I have a really tiny part, but I'm helping with props, costumes and scene changes. The play opens Feb 5. No one in the theater group knows I have Crohn's or am chronically ill, and the best part about "acting" has been pretending I'm well. I just want one place in my life where I can talk about other stuff and be "normal." ( I don't know if I'm expressing this well enough....as the tears are rolling down my face.)

So If the c.diff is positive, I don't know how I'm going to get my friend's blood and stool tests completed and a colonoscopy scheduled without running in to the play rehearsals. I think if I can get it all done before the Feb 5 opening, then maybe I can just say I have the flu and miss a few days, and they will just have to live without me. I am wondering though, if I can start back on Vancomycin and then do the fecal transplant after the show is over? Would the Vanco kill my friend's good bacteria? Obviously I will ask my doc all this, and this assumes that the test is positive.

My doc's notes are posted online after the visits, and I read that he said if the stool cultures are negative, then he probably still want's a colonoscopy to make sure it's not a return of the Crohn's.

I'm just really sad today and I don't know how to orchestrate work, my play and being sick and I so hate it!!! On another note, my dog who has been sick for a long time seems like she's really dying....we suspect she has a pancreatic tumor. She has good and bad days, but she's having a terrible day today and I think I'm soon going to have to euthanize her....she's my best buddy.....this is all so hard! Thanks for listening and any advice is appreciated.

Thanks Scifigal! So you can be on Vanco up until the FMT? I know I just have to wait for the results....I swear I feel like I spend my life feeling sick and waiting around.....but I am managing to work and go to the play, so I'm not dying yet. I am feeling dizzy and ill, just trying to ignore it because I'm so stubborn and hate the whole sick role thing!

Thanks for your good wishes about my dog. I had to carry her downstairs (55 lbs) because she was too weak to get up this morning, but once I fed her, she did perk up a bit. She gets theses terrible hypoglycemia episodes and has seizures sometimes. I know she's nearing the end here, but she does have good days still, and it's so hard to make the decision to put her down.....I've had dogs my whole life. I won't let her suffer. It's just hard and I will really miss her terribly!!!

Hi NCOT,
The rehearsals are at night. Since I have such a small part, I was only having to come in 1-2 times a week, but as we are getting closer to the real production, the director is wanting me there more. I will first have to see if I really have c.diff, and then what my GI's schedule for colonoscopy is as well as how long it takes to get my friend's blood work and stool tests completed. So I guess I can't plan all of this yet, as much as I would like to. I did think of the flu....one of the other cast members had the flu and was out for 5 days.....that would work. I am self employed so I can organize my work schedule however I want to, but the play is kind of a different story. I really would like to try out for another play in the spring and see if I can land a bigger part, so I don't want to blow this, and I'm worried that if people know I have a chronic illness, then no one will want me in their show. Of course maybe they are right and I have no business doing plays.....and that depresses me the most!
I totally believe you that you struggle with social situations, but you write so well and seem so interpersonally perceptive, that I always struggle to imagine what that's like for you. You seem like such a smart and interesting person to me....it's hard to imagine that I couldn't have a normal conversation with you. But I am sorry it is such a struggle for you....you don't deserve it, that's for sure! Any news with you?

From one actress to another....you have every right to be in show business. And I understand how nice it is to have that haven away from the world of our guts. My thought, theater people seem to come in two groups---catty or really super supportive. I have run mostly into the supportive ones. If you know one person in the group really in whom you can confide (albeit I tell little just that I am unusually sick right now), I think that would be a good outlet for you. Instead of holding it all in.
Frankly, I think the acting is good for your health. So do not throw in the towel yet. If you can physically be there...do it. I was in an improv theater group. They were all terrified of people with Crohns because a previous member had a bad bout of it....they freaked when they found out I had it....but were supportive of me after a few educational discussions that not everyone is the same.
I am no expert in the FMT, but it sounds like from Sci that you have about 30 days from the decision date to get the tx. How long is the run of the show. I thought it was community theater and those do not usually have >30 day run. If you can do this right now and put the transplant to the first week in March....just spitballing here.

Well not a lot of help...but I really do support you keeping the theater piece (and peace) in your life. Please remember that there is never an end to the opportunity and you can try again if you need to.

I think that it's a good plan. Even if your friend were to do the test today, you could still do the transplant the last day of the show, so I don't think you have too much to worry about! :)