Hi all,
I wanted to send my happy post reversal update at this point, the 3 month mark. Medically it's been great. I had my reversal March 1st. 10 days later I was driving, I only had one bad weekend chained to the potty, 3 weeks later I was in the gym doing mild cardio, also was working full time. (my situation was caused by a nick in the bowel during a hysterectomy, needed a temp ileo - the whole deal took 10 months). Everything with the reversal surgery went great. I will always be grateful for all the help and support I received as an ostomate!! I've read the recent questions about reversal on this site and didn't need to post since others answered exactly as I would have!! Very cool.
The only one thing I will answer to the firefighter who posted is that I recommend working with a trainer to rebuild the stomach muscles properly. I have been doing that since the week 6 point and have found it to be hugely helpful. I would have just done "abs" till the cows come home but my trainer had techniques to rebuild the muscles in layers. And with the overall workout I was able to build up strength I lost over the whole 10 month ordeal.
While I was on this forum I learned that there are a number of car fanatics out there. So I will share that at the 8 week post reversal mark I resumed my duties as an instructor for the BMW high performance driving program (can't call it racing officially:). That means I sit in the passenger seat and teach the driver how to navigate a racetrack (Mosport, Mid Ohio, Tremblant, Watkins Glen) and for fun I get to put my own 4 wheel baby through its paces... all things I had to take a break from. Working with my trainer meant I was strong enough to last a full weekend without any soreness at all. My core was super secure. ps- I'm 46 and female :) Always love teaching men how to race :))) Wish I could post some video here :)
The other reason for my post today is to ask about post-illness career death. OMG..the whole time I was "sick" I had collegues and friends helping out, keeping me positive and generally making me feel like I would waltz right back into my job. I was a pretty high profile manager in a high tech firm. Literally in the last few weeks before my final return to work it seems that some people launched a raid on my career and won! Nothing changed in my own work; those who claimed to be doing my job while I was off were kidding everyone (my skillset is highly unique) and convinced my boss to demote me. So now, after comitting no crime other than being sick, I have to find a new career. I can't prove constructive dismissal since my salary has not been cut and my duties are not different enough to fight that point. It's just the usual corporate game of forcing people out. It's like on survivor; I was down for the count and the vutures won. Anyone have any advice or experiences to share?
ps - June 4th marked the 1st anniversary of my first surgery...and my LAST cigarette!!! Wooo Hoo. All the work BS has made me really want to smoke again..so far so good.
hugs to all - sorry for the long post.
Connie