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6 weeks post op!

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Posted 4/24/2013 3:29 PM (GMT 0)
Today is 6 weeks since my mean ol' colon was removed and my happier, healthier life began!!

Things continue to go very well and there has not been much I could really complain about over the past 6 weeks. Yesterday I took my last dose of prednisone which is AWESOME!! Hopefully I never have to be on that drug again! I am on a couple other meds right now, but they have nothing to do with the surgery.

I was told that the 6 week mark is when it may be safe to start experimenting with the more "dangerous" foods. Don't get me wrong, I am VERY happy with everything I have been able to eat so far, but miss all of the forbidden foods. Before I got sick I would eat a huge salad every day, a lot of fresh fruit, popcorn to snack on at night, handfuls of almonds here and there...you get the point. Soooo....any suggestions on which of these foods is safest to try first, which I should wait longer to try or avoid completely? I have had a couple glasses of wine here and there, not gotten close to drunk, which I wouldn't do anyway, but it was tasty and relaxing :)

Also, I have been testing out a new pouching system every time I have a change day. There have been a couple that I know I don't like at all, but otherwise there are a few that I think could work for me long term. What pouches do y'all use? How did you finally decide what was best for you? When were you able to switch to pre cut wafers, if at all?

I have also started to exercise a bit more. Nothing crazy, doing some further walk/run intervals, lifting some VERY light hand weights....bicep/shoulder/tricep work mostly. Doing some planks too...but that's about it. Any suggestions on good exercises to ease back into things without risking a hernia would be great. I would love to start doing a little ab work, but am nervous about how to do that safely.

Ok....I think that's it. I guess that was more of a question list than an update....but I'd say that no news is good news! Hope y'all are well, thanks for any input :)
Posted 4/24/2013 4:21 PM (GMT 0)
Oh yeah...I forgot one thing. I will be going back to work a week from today. Before surgery the surgeon said she though it could take up to 12 weeks for me to be ready to go back to work, because I was SO malnourished and unhealthy. She was worried it would take a very long time for me to heal. This is also the reason she did not do the part of the surgery that involved sewing up my bottom. She thought it would be too big of a wound for me to heal from along with everything else. We might go ahead with that surgery in the future...any suggestions on the pros and cons of doing that or not??

Anyway...I digress. Back to work in a week, 7 weeks post op. She said I could've gone this week, but I didn't see any need in pushing it, considering I'm already way ahead of her timeline with my recovery. Honestly, I don't wanna go back to work. I'm finally healthy, able to eat, have energy, can go out and about and actually enjoy what I'm doing....oh well. This weekend my wonderful boyfriend and I will camp and fish and have a GREAT time!!

Work wise...I am a bit concerned about getting back into the swing of things, keeping a schedule and time management. Also not sure how I'll do with coming up with a lunch to take with me everyday, and having something quick and easy to eat on my short dinner break every night. I did this before surgery, but most of what I ate is now on the "semi forbidden" list. So yeah, any suggestions for all of that stuff would be great...thanks!!
Posted 4/24/2013 8:00 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, glad to hear everything is going well! I had my surgery in Jan and also tried quite a few pouches till I found the best one for me I use the coloplast sensure drainable. Went back to work in March I was phased back in working from 8.30am til 1pm for the first week then started back full time after that it was so much easier than going straight into it full time.
Food wise I miss eating popcorn and brazil nuts really does irritate my ileo, I am now eating everything apart from the two things above. I don't really think about the foods I eat I try all foods if any cause me problems I just don't eat them again but so far so good! enjoy experimenting with the foods! x
Posted 4/24/2013 8:55 PM (GMT 0)
So happy to see you doing so well :) I know exactly what you mean about work... a lot of people asked me if I was happy to go back to work, and I said "I'm happy to be ABLE to go back to work."

Likewise, my surgeon is telling me that because I know how to manage an ostomy already and am in wayy better health he thinks I could be back to work three or four weeks after my next surgery (j-pouch step 2 of 3)... I certainly hope I'm feeling that well but I wouldn't mind taking the full six weeks I warned my employer about! wink
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