I'm Home and Healing

Hi!

I just wanted to say 'hey' and let you all know that I came home this past Monday and am working on getting better. 

Monday I was super hyper and excited to be out of the hospital...be UC free...and actually feel rested and semi-normal!  Needless to say I over did it a bit and wasn't well Tuesday.  In addition to that I learned my surgeon is an ass, and I have a tolerance to vicadin.  So, to make a long story short my pain management has been neglected until my GI nurse took care my needs yesterday...again, my surgeon sucks...and I am finally able to get some relief.

My surgery was a proctocolectomy with a permanent ileostomy done laparscopically.  It is definitely an adjustment having the bag...but really it's fully welcomed b/c the UC is gone. 

Our son is staying with my in-laws and I'm ready for him to be home...I miss him so much.  He is here during the days, and tonight we will keep all night for the first time in a week.  I'm very excited.  : )  I really just need his presence and though I cannot fully care for him my husband and mom are always here to help.  My mom has been AMAZING!  She's here in the morning and leaves normally when my son does...my husband and her have been doing LOTS of projects around our house, so that's why they're both needed to help care for my son...they can continue working and help me with him when needed.

Today we're all just going to chill and hang out...my 4 month old nephew is going to be here today and it's going to be so much fun.  The boys adore one another and they coo and smile with one another constantly.  It's definitely one tear jerking moment after another.

Anyway, I apologize it's taken me so long to post.  The adjustment and acceptance of my new situation is a little overwhelming at times and I'm just taking it minute by minute.

Thanks for all your support and words of encouragement prior to my surgery...everything you said and suggested I absorbed and it really has helped my coping process!!!

 

So happy to hear from you! You have been in my thoughts and prayers. Please take it easy and keep us posted. You are my "leader" right now. I'm on for 2/24--the same surgery. So scared! But so happy you are doing well!!!!

Hey Robyn, glad to hear the surgery went well and you are at home recuping. Just wanted to pop in to say hi, and wish you the best recovery.

Hey I forgot to mention to you about the vicodin.
I also have a tolerance to it, so they gave me percocet- It works much better. Have you tried that?

RobinByrd said...
My UC allowed me to feel almost every inch of my colon...when anything went through me I felt it and I always had some sort of pain or discomfort. So, now that it's gone I definitely notice and love that it's no longer there.

Isn't it amazing when the pain you've felt for so long is really gone for good? It's something that's hard to explain, but once you've experienced it, you want everyone who has suffered with UC or Crohn's to experience, too. I'm really happy you're doing so well. 

It is so good to hear that you are home and doing well. I had UC for a long time too. The surgery cured all the UC misery. I echo what everyone else has said about going slowly and resting as much as possible. That will pay off in the long run even though you are going to feel so good that you might be tempted to over do it in a few weeks. Someone on here said it takes as many months to really heal as it took to do the surgery??? Where that came from I don't know, but it seemed to be true.

Hi Robin,

Just checking in to see how you are doing? Guess I'll have to come and visit you on this board now:)

Robin, Thank you so much for being so candid about your journey. You have asked the questions I have been thinking. The responses you have received from the veterans here have been awesome. I am glad your surgery went well, and am impressed by how soon you came home from the hospital! Each day I look forward to hearing about your progress with healing and adjusting to the new you. I will soon be where you are.

Robin-
Now you'll be one giving advice!!!! So cool.
"It's the circle of life..........."(sing the lion king song-you know you know the words)

Bob...

I would think that my pain would be worse with the open surgery, as the body receives much more trauma and damage to the muscles an organs. If I compared the pain and recovery time to my c-section I would take this surgery over the c-section any day. Some have great success with their c-sections, but I was super sore for a good 4 weeks or more, and my proctocolectomy was two weeks ago and I'm able to do so much! Lifting of course is a big no-no...but just my attitude and energy level has greatly improved.

I was just telling my husband this evening that it's amazing how my emotional side has just been revamped since I've been UC free. We're making dinner plans and family gatherings for the next many weeks in a row and it's awesome! Prior to the surgery we didn't do any of that b/c just trying to plan something away from a bathroom or that took any kind of planning on my part would be too stressful and draining. But no anymore!!! I LOVE being able to go to other people's home for dinner and not stress...I LOVE being able to go out of town for dinner and not worry about cramping and the pain I felt and having to put on a good face while I silently suffered. I will never again be in those situations.

Chassity...

I'm actually going to do consultations with my GI's clients when they need help deciding on surgery or are having issues with accepting the disease and their situation. It'll be free counseling until I'm licensed then I can start charging. : ) And I won't be able to call it counseling until then...so I'm just a volunteer consult. : ) I spoke with my GI nurse about it more today and I am really excited! So hopefully I'll be getting more people involved with our little support group family!