Scheduled

I have scheduled surgery for 2/21/14.
My pre-op work up is on 2/13/14.

I have not seen my IBD specialist since she did a colonoscopy on 12/2. I made an appointment with her for 2/4/14. I'm taking my husband and my mom to this one just to make sure we hit all of the angles and they can help me make sure this is the right decision. I tend to have intelligent conversations with my doctors that I can't remember afterwards.

I'm pretty sure I know what she's going to say, but at least I'll hear it, with backup.

I have a bunch of paperwork from my HR department. Our short term disability is good for up to eleven weeks. I have to take 14 calendar days worth of PTO each time I use short term disability. I don't think 11 weeks is enough time to get both steps done, so it looks like I'll have to take unpaid time for the second surgery. So. Stupid. Really seems to encourage you not to come back to work between procedures. All follow ups for the rest of the year will also be unpaid.

good luck, Tornado! Now just keep those appointments..!!!! You are having a j-pouch? In 2 steps? Have you looked into FMLA, as opposed to short-term disability leave? You don't get paid with FMLA, but it's structured differently so that you can use your accrued time if you wish. And also, there is usually no rush to get the secoind surgery done, you could wait until you have more time accrued, etc.

Laparoscopic two step j pouch is the idea right now.

I have to use FMLA to protect my job and short term disability to get paid while I'm out. It is a good system, but not so much for a two step procedure. If I could get everything done in 11 weeks, I'd still have some leave left for the rest of the year. If I go back to work between, I'll not have a an hour off until 2015.

I think it is highly likely these appointments will be moved at least once. It it so hard to do this to myself since I feel better than I have since 2011...

Good luck to you! I am having my surgery on 2/10 and have pre-op on 2/3. I am sure you will do fine :)I hope all goes well for you.

I'm not sad that I did not have surgery today :-D

I've been trying to work out! I might heal faster? I can't believe how exhausting it is. I'm in terrible shape!

The thing about low residue is that I don't have much volume, which is sometimes scary. Uh, did I stop going? I'm not too strict about it, just kind of try not to stack up a bunch of fiber all at once.

April sounds great. It was warm yesterday. It was so nice!

I noticed the expiration date on the pouches- a while out though, around 2018??? If I haven't had surgery by then....!!!!!! I'm psyched though, because I have some of the Convatec snap-on 2 piece deals (Surefit Natura???), some of the Coloplast adhesive 2 piece deals (Sensura???), some Brava strips, some Brava strip paste, some lubricating deodorant, & these crazy Stomacur brand pouches.... not bad for someone who doesn't even have an ileo yet!

thanks for the tips! I had forgotten about HOllister- I remember a long time ago, when I first googled it, I got the clothing store.... I'd like to ask for some sstoma powder & adhesive remover, & barrier spray, but don't want to be too picky. I've got everything stashed ina box in my linen closet... out of sight, out of mind, at least for now. Although I really think I'll be ok with a stoma- maybe it's denial, but I just can't see myself having too many issues. I'm hoping to use as few products as possible. I'm pretty psyched actually- this is the last summer I'll be a slave to my colon. Our first family vaca post-surgery is going to be white water rafting- you have to leave at like 5:00am, & currently there is just no amount of Immodium that could make that happen. I went years ago & loved it, can't wait to bring my daughter!