It has been five days since my last surgery.  By “last” I mean “most recent in time”, and “coming after all others”.  As I have mentioned before, the only cure for Ulcerative Colitis is a colectomy.  I had a total colectomy which means my entire large intestine was removed. Terminologica Anatomica defines the large intestine as the combination of the cecum, colon, rectum, and anal canal.  Other medical publications do not include the anal canal.  Fortunately, I still have mine!  This latest surgery is referred to as an Ileostomy Reversal.

I went into this final surgery a bit cocky, I must admit.  I underestimated the toll this surgery would have on me.  I expected to be able to return to work within a week – this will not be the case.  I have an incision approximately 2 inches long with about an inch of it still open (to allow for draining and proper healing since it is considered a dirty wound – it is where my stoma used to be).  The area around the wound is quite swollen.  I change the wound dressing everyday using loosely-applied gauze.  The wound looks good so far!  I have limited movement due to the damaged (incised) abdominal muscles, and twinges of pain come when I move into and out of certain positions.

Additionally, I underestimated the nausea.  Oh, the nausea.  I think it is worse for me this go-round than the round after the initial surgery.  I sit on the toilet about every hour or two (or more) which has caused some rawness down in that posterior region due to the repeated wiping.  If you are going though this procedure, make sure to get a good toilet paper and by all means be gentle to dat ass.  It wouldn’t be bad if it didn’t burn to go poo and then wipe the sensitive area.  I wet the TP, clean thoroughly and wait for it to dry.  Once dried, I apply a small amount of Calmoseptine to aid in healing the irritated skin.  Between the discomfort of general movement, and the general discomfort of having a movement, I am ready to be healed up.  Swiftly.

I know it seems like I am complaining, but I am merely sharing with others who may go through the same process so they are aware of what lies ahead.  That is the main purpose of this blog. It seemed like the internet supplies two ends of a spectrum. One end where folks say they were on their feet dancing within days of the surgery, and the other end where folks say they were laid up for weeks or months.  I am here to say that there is, in fact, a middle ground.  Each day I am seeing improvement.  My stool is getting thicker (it was basically colored water at first), and I am re-introducing solid foods and some fiber into my diet.  The pain from my incision decreases each day, granted in half baby-steps.  These are good things that are propelling me along.