21st Post - The aftermath

Since the last time I wrote my blog, one or two things has been happening to me.

Firstly me and Danny was out with some friends, and I was asked how long I had been off work, I told him that I went back full time after 3 weeks, he couldn't believe it, and then it dawned on me, just how quickly everything has happened. I have dealt with the physical pain and feelings towards the operation and everything that goes with it, but now I am starting to feel the emotional feelings towards it too and feel quite overwhelmed when I think about it.

I have been looking through photo's since I have been out of hospital, in the early stages when I was still a lot thinner and how my scar looked to how it looks now, and I can't quite believe it was only little over 6 months ago since the 1st operation, it's crazy!

I still get a real buzz out of doing my blog, when I receive lovely comments from people who have taken the time to read it, and hope sincerely that people can take something from it and it does help.

I hope next time I blog, that this is another stage I have gone through and moved on from. I think I just need to give myself time to think about it and absorb everything that has happened and also feel proud of going through it and coming through it stronger, just like everybody else who is going through or will be going through the same thing should think of themselves.

We all deserve a big pat on the back.

20th Post - 3 months plus since the last op

Well it has been a while since I have last updated my blog, because to be honest there wasn't an awful lot to report.

I am back at work full time and have just fallen back into the usual routine with no major hiccups. It is good to be back to my usual routine, even though it's hard getting up on a morning, no change at all there!

I can eat pretty much anything I like, enjoy alcohol, and no urgency to use the toilet. It's been the best thing I have ever done and am feeling on top form.

Since I came out of hospital, I have started with restless leg, which is bloody awful. Only in bed though just as I am about to sleep, it starts spasaming and keeps me awake, which is really annoying. At first I thought it was quite funny but now it's just more annoying than anything.

I went for a massage at my Auntie's recently, to see if that would help. My consultation before hand I realised that I have been drinking too much fizzy drinks and I haven't got good circulation
which I keep on meaning to do some exercise which should help, but as yet it is just a good intention.

I laid off the fizzy drinks and that seems to have helped, but it isn't consistent so I can go a few weeks without it and all of a sudden it comes back.

I go and see my consultant next Tuesday, don't really have a lot to ask him since last time I saw him. I don't have any issues I can think of.

19th Post - Replies to comments.

Hello Membership Required,

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog and I am glad it was of some interest to you. I'm not sure how to reply to you so I thought I'd just post it! I hope this is OK. If you send me your email address I can reply whenever needed.

The answer to your question about the steroids is thankfully no. No asacol or enemas or iron tablets in my case. The only thing I did and am continuing to take is imodium 4 times a day which is a massive relief.

I recovered quite quickly after my 1st operation, the first 2 weeks were the hardest and then, things start getting easier. My consultant thought I would have my stoma bag for 10 -12 weeks, but I bounced back quicker than I think he expected and I had the stoma bag off after 7 weeks.

The 2nd operation took me about a week to start feeling better. I can't stress enough how important it is to keep active, because even though it was a quicker recovery time I did suffer with back ache and cramp and the consultant said that was caused by not having any exercise. The total recovery time my consultant said would probably be 12 months but that can differ. I am hoping it will be before that, but that's because I am inpatient. Already though I can pretty much eat what I want, yes I do still need to go to the toilet quite frequently but I can hold it, so it definintely doesnt restrict me from doing anything.

I will definitely keep upto my blog and thank you again for taking the time out to leave a comment. I wish you all the best for the future and a speedy recovery. If there is anything else I can help you with please feel free to drop me another email. I'd love to hear from you and I will try and help you as much as I can.

I hope the above has answered your questions. Sorry I don't know your name, but best wishes to you and your family! Love Natalie.

18th Post - You are not alone

It upsets me to think that there are so many people out there still going through what I have been through and a lot more in some cases.

As happy as I am that I am getting back to good health and we are now a healthy couple, I don’t ever want to forget what I have been through to the point where it doesn’t matter anymore, because it always will do and it means a hell of a lot to me to hopefully help people who are going through this and don’t really understand it.

There are a lot of good sites out there, the j pouch website I mentioned earlier (please see link on earlier post) especially to make you realise that you are not going through your experience on your own, there are people to help you.

I know it is hard for people to share this intimately with people who don’t have the condition and you may not feel you can explain the embarrassing aspects of the illness, but anytime you are feeling like there is no way out of all this, please keep faith there is.

There are people out there who can and want to help you through this and try and take comfort in that. It is a horrible, restricting condition to go through, but don’t underestimate positive thinking.

Make sure you and your family are prepared for the journey because the more understanding you have of it, the better you will be able to deal with it.

17th Post - Out of hospital 2 weeks after 2nd Op

2 weeks tomorrow 27th May I have had my operation and It is has been really hard to be honest, harder that what I thought, not only because I have been in pain but for some reason I have had imsomnia and not even averaging 4 hours a night sleep, but the good thing is my appetite has come back and I am again eating like a horse!

I found the pain was mostly in my anus as opposed to my actual wound, because for the first few days I was not eating hardly anything and it was only liquid coming out of me and was extremely uncomfortable whilst going to the toilet. It does say that also on the j pouch website that it is serious butt burn as they put it and I would have to agree.

I would say sudocrem is a must because the motion is still very liquidy and burns whilst going to the toilet.

The consultant doesn't want you to take imodium straight away, in case it puts pressure on the j pouch and in some cases in can pop as it has not expanded so as much as it is not nice it is essential in the early stages.

I have been to see the consultant today and he is happy for me to take it now, which is only 2 weeks on. Not pleasant at all for anybody going through it but essential, and sudocrem or other creams will help. Also fibre gel will help thicken up the motion, but again only a few weeks after the operation.

I am averaging about 8 - 9 bowel movements a day, which is nothing compared to what I thought it was going to be like. It is hard to sleep because you need to go to the toilet through the night, and you may want to get some water proof covers for the first few nights in case of leakages. I was using Tena ladies until yesterday, so again it doesn’t last long at all, but they are needed as you are trying to control it but at the same time it is also trying to control you. .

One thing I haven’t done enough of is exercise, so I would emphasise that to get exercising as quickly as possible, because I have had more aches and pains than last time probably because I haven’t done hardly any walking or anything which is a big mistake on my part.

But starting from tomorrow, the walking shall begin, no excuses!

I was dreading taking my dressing off my wound, because I was worried what it looked like. I really didnt need to worry as my scar is very neat. After a week I took the dressing off and it has been off ever since. Danny and myself has taken our nephew swimming several times without anything covering it, and there has been no problems.

My Mum asked if I would be embarrased when going on holiday and been in a bikini, I said absolutely not, I am so proud of that scar because it symbolises my good health and a happy future. I hope whoever has the operations shares my thoughts on that, because it is nothing at all to be ashamed of.