I had my surgery late Tuesday afternoon on October 17th, 2017. I woke up to find I have several scars, a stoma, and a colostomy bag, and I was…
Relieved! Happy! Ready to jump up and go live that slice of life I’ve been sidelined from due to chronic illness!
I’ve been walking, eating low residue foods, and emptying/applying my own colostomy bags. I’ve been conservative with my pain meds and I’m ready to bust outta here tomorrow!
Mr. MLACS and my uncle drove me to surgery and stayed there all day and into the night because they didn’t even take me back until 4pm or so. I told them they should at least leave and go eat some delicious food, since I was starving but couldn’t eat. I told them if the shoe was on the other foot I would totally ditch them to go to the thai restaurant around the corner. But they stayed close by and ate at the hospital cafeteria.
The surgery went well and only took 2 hours vs. the usual 3-4 hours. I was told my colon was one of the worst the surgeon has seen–that was validating. CRS said he believes pathology will reveal I have Crohn’s Colitis, but we won’t know until next week.
I have ordered lots of samples of ostomy bags and accessories, so excited to try some stuff out–I haven’t particularly like the first 2 bags I’ve tried, mostly because they are one-pieces and the one I have now has a filter that gets super messy and takes for-ev-er to clean (sensura mio one piece). I will have to try a 2 piece tomorrow, hate to irritate my skin by changing it so much but I’m uncomfortable with the sensura mio one piece. It’s going to take some trial and error to find what I like.
I’m on A LOT of corticosteroids and cannot sleep (it’s 2:30am) even on percocet. I’m also very bloated from the steroids and cannot wait to get back to my 30mg oral dose and start tapering! Before long (God willing) I’ll be down to just 2 pills per day + my supplements! That’s kind of amazing.
I feel SO MUCH better with the colon gone–there is a tiny bit left actually–but I’ll deal with that later and my CRS said it shouldn’t give me much, if any, trouble.
I want to train for a marathon. I want to clean my house all day and play with BG without having to lay down every 15 minutes. I want to go back to nursing school. I want to travel. I want another baby. I want to do ALL THE THINGS!
It’s going to take some getting used to, but I think I will make my own way and figure it out. Being an ostomate is part of my destiny, and I’m going to embrace it and be the best version of myself–even better than before, I think.
XOXO,
MLACS
My Life As A Case Study 
I’m so glad the surgery went well – and that you’re feeling so much better already!!
Congratulations!!!!!!!!
I am so happy that you are doing well!!! ❤
Welcome to the club! I have an Ileostomy and although it is a little different I just recently started ordering samples because my system wasn’t working for me… I went home with a Hollister 2 piece system and have been using it ever since with no luck. I used Vegan Ostomy’s list of companies that send free samples and I’m so happy everything I’ve received! Here is the link, if you need it: https://www.veganostomy.ca/ostomy-suppliers-free-samples/
Yay! I’m glad you are doing so great and feeling so happy. 🙂
Such fantastic news!
You sound so positively positive! I’m beyond happy for you!!! I hope you find your way to do all the stuff you’re wanting to do and more!!!!
I’m so happy to hear this. I love reading the joy and excitement in your post. Your future is wide open once again and you are going to conquer it all! Wishing you a speedy recovery and painless adjustment! xoxo
Love your attitude! 🙂 Good idea to try out different baby and accessory options till you find what works for you. Here’s to the new you!
So happy surgery went well. It seems you have a new lease on life, and I am so glad to read the positivity and optimism in this post. Cheers!!! xxx
Congratulations on a successful surgery!