I almost felt "normal" tonight

Hi all.  This evening I met with four of my girlfriends, had a glass of wine, and almost forgot I am in an altered state.  Then, my husband took me to dinner with a group of his colleagues.  It has been three weeks since my surgery, and it felt good to be out on the town.  This was the first time I had to empty my appliance in a public restroom.  It was interesting, but not impossible.  I actually had to empty twice - once while with the girls, and once after dinner.  Gosh, I feel like I am growing up and going through the rites of passage.  It was interesting looking at menus and trying to decide what would be "safe" to order.  I never knew so many things had mushrooms in them (which I love)!  It was really nice to have a glass or two of wine.  I think I am beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  After being house bound for so long - since the beginning of January - I loved being out among the living.  Just thought I would share my wine induced euphoria with you.

YAY glad you had a good time, isnt' it awesome to finally get to have fun again???

Unless you are allergic to them or something, after a few weeks you should be able to eat mushrooms. they can just give you more gas, so take some gasx with them.

You ARE normal! We are all normal here. It's a relative term anyway.

Glad you got out. It IS a little freaky at first after however long your body functions consumed you (or if you were house bound and hospital bound for almost two months until the surgery as I was) to be out in public. Once you heal you can pretty much do anything. The only people who will know are the ones you tell.

Thanks everyone! NEsailor you are right, we are normal and it is a relative term. I just have to get more used to my new "normal." Considering how diseased my colon was, this new normal is definitely a better normal. I do have to remind myself that I do not know what kind of issues other people I see out and about are dealing with.

It is good to know that one day I will be able to eat mushrooms. I am still quite paranoid about the "things that can cause a blockage" list. I guess as time goes by I will become more brave.

Sammies, it is good to hear that you were out and about. Getting out of the house, even for a walk, does wonders for my mental state. Yesterday was the first time I drove since my surgery, and even that bit of independence was refreshing......and I didn't have to turn around and go back home because I was on the verge of a "bathroom emergency" for a change. Hooray!

lol i was petrified of the blockage list! And i followed that diet to the t for the first 6 weeks, and it took me forever to even get comfotable eating other stuff!
But you will get braver.
OOO and if you are gonna go out and drink, try some firefly with lemonade. thats some good stuff.

MGD, I recall that 'first' drive afterwards. So liberating.

More ah .... 'interesting' was the first attempt at jogging! I lost 50 odd pounds during the month I was in the hospital (which I needed to lose!). And with the new (and improved in SO many ways) body, I wanted to start getting back into shape. So walking was approved from the beginning. And about two months or so (less?) I was ok'd to TRY jogging, and warned about maybe needing some support. Support what? A girdle? (EEEEK I just turned 30 back then). Compression shorts? Then how was the stuff supposed to get out if ... well anyway, you get the idea. So I figured I'd just give it a shot. Now, as most of you know one is pretty much cut from gizzard down in this procedure ..... and dumb me is trying to bounce these muscles around. Good for about three steps maybe! OWWWW. But being a pig head, I tried a few more. More ow. And walked home holding up my poor, sad, stretched out, cut up tummy with both hands! However, also being a pig head, as noted before, I kept at it. The muscles got stronger, I got stronger, things healed. And life did progress! Each victory is new and special for every one of us. Savor them all!

And Sammies - that first margarita is wonderful! (let someone else drive!)

MGD,

So glad to hear that you are up and about... You and Robin and the others should start a TOPIC that keeps us up to date on your "firsts" since surgery.... like your experience at driving for the first time and not having to rush back for a bathroom pitstop, etc. It would be a good thing for others to read that are going into surgery. Just a thought.