Sorry I have been so sporadic about updating. This is a really insane time of year and there are only so many times I can tell you guys about how much I hate this new stoma without driving us all insane. I do have a couple of items to report though.
Back on 12/5 I went to see Dr. L at the Cleveland Clinic for my regular six week post-op visit. I was able to drive myself which was a big improvement. Everything was good. I saw the stoma nurses again and they were pleased with how the Marlen appliance was working for me. I can't remember if I mentioned it before, but I'm now using the Marlen one piece with deep convexity along with a Hollister convexity ring. It's super duper convex, but it's protecting my skin which is now all healed except a tiny red area right at the opening of the stoma. I'll take it! They also ran labs and there were no signs of lingering infection. My hemoglobin also improved from 7 to just shy of 11 which made me very happy. I've started taking vitamins again, so that should help more. I need to be at least 10 for surgery.
Speaking of surgery, the next step is a return to CC for a gastrogeffin enema imagining procedure on January 11th. They will introduce a barium type enema into my rectum to fill the j-pouch and take pictures to make sure it is leak-free, completely healed, and ready for takedown (reversal) surgery. Dr. L will be out of the office January 12-21, so I'm hoping to take the first available surgery appointment when he returns. I am so ready! It has been such a long road and I feel like I can see the finish line now.
In other news, I am back to running! Not far and not fast, but it is still exciting! Last Saturday my training group started up for the winter season and I was able to do a 2 mile run/walk workout (run 4 minutes, walk 1 minute) without any trouble. I was so happy to keep up and be able to finish the whole thing. Super exciting! I will have to take a little break when I get this last surgery, but I think it will all work out fine.
That's it for me aside from the madness of getting ready for Christmas. I'm really happy to be feeling well and at home with my kids and husband right now. I'm looking forward to seeing our lives return to a more normal state in the coming year. Well, normal for us at least! Happy Holidays and New Year to all of you. :-)
