I've been stabbed, had my guts ripped out, and lived to tell the tale.
Previously on this blog
The Catch Up
After meeting with a surgeon a number of times last year, it was determined that I was managing the diverticulitis well, and that surgery could be postponed. I like to think I did a pretty good job keeping it in check. I wasn't allowed to do a lot of physical activity, as it would aggravate the condition, but suddenly, we had to move! Even with all the help we received, and the scoldings from Trais and Diane, I still managed to do a lot more moving work than I should have and ended up aggravating my bowels. So after many months of comfort, I found myself back at the hospital once again.
The Problem
Diverticulosis is the disease in which pouches or sacks form along the intestinal wall due to weak lining. Diverticulitis is the condition in which the pouches become infected and inflamed. Almost everyone, if they live long enough, will develop diverticulosis. Diverticulitis attacks will present in maybe a quarter of those who have the disease, most of which can be treated by diet and prescription antibiotics. A small percentage will require surgery to correct the issue. I always told my wife I was one in a bajillion.
I am 29 years old. Every other comment at the hospital was: "You're too young to be doing this!" Diverticulosis is considered a later life complication, so it's a bit rare to see it in someone my age, though I know of a few people near my age who suffer the condition as well, we are definitely the exception.
After the most recent attack, my surgeon got a bit worried as it seemed the condition was spreading and expanding. There was some concern about how near it was getting to my bladder. If allowed to touch, the intestine and bladder could possibly fuse together, and things would start flowing in wrong directions and through incorrect exhaust ports. It was decided that surgery was the best option for me going forward, and I was given a date.
The Procedure
The surgery to be performed is called Laparoscopic Sigmoid Colectomy Resection. I freaked out a bit (I've never had surgery before) but after watching the operation on YouTube, I felt a lot better about going forward with it. Here is a link to the video. It's very informative but also pretty graphic, so probably don't watch it if you get queasy!
The way the operation works, is they punch three holes in you: two for the laparoscopic equipment and one for a camera. They do all the work inside, then make a small incision through which to pull the intestine. They cut the bad portion outside your body, then push the rest back in and reconnect the ends laparoscopically. I have the two bullet point scars to each side of my belly button and one under the incision where they drew out the intestine. They took just under a foot of intestine out.
The Hospital Stay
We showed up on Tuesday at 6am for the procedure. Catherine took me and we met with Grandma Diane in the parking lot, what a pleasant surprise! It was very comforting to know she would be there with Catherine.
I was given a "walking epidural" which was a mite painful to put in, and altogether very weird experience. I don't remember much from before or after the procedure, but apparently I was very intent on getting back to Asgard to help 'finish it,' whatever that meant.
There are three items I will say were indispensable while I was in the hospital: A water spritzer, a telescoping scratcher, and my phone. It's easy to see why the phone and scratcher would come in handy, but the water spritzer was an absolute life saver! After the surgery, I was only allowed a small ration of water. With oxygen hooked up to my nose, and IVs of a bunch of junk, my mouth and throat were CONSTANTLY dry and irritated. Having the spritzer meant I could spray my mouth and throat without going over my allotment of water, it was the BEST!
Post-Op
I was up and walking the day of the surgery and on a clear liquids diet the day after. My catheter was (thankfully!) removed the day after surgery when I could prove that I was a big boy and could pee all by myself. The epidural was removed the day after that (second day after surgery) and I was allowed to eat soft foods. I was released from the Hospital on Friday (third day after surgery). In all, it went very well.
The pain is very intense. I have pain from the incisions, the cut and re-sected bowel, the internal bruising, the split muscles and goodness knows what else. The pain meds do a relatively good job of culling the worst of it, but I can tell it will be a while before I feel normal again. My tummy has an odd shape now too, it's lumpy in parts and more droopy than it was before, which is a little embarrassing, but honestly, I hurt too much to care, haha.
At Home
I had grand aspirations to get things done when I got home. Instead, I am mostly relegated by the pain to be crashed on the couch watching Netflix (Holmes Inspection Collection is the BEST!) I'm looking forward to being productive again, I can only hope I heal quickly!
Previously on this blog
The Catch Up
After meeting with a surgeon a number of times last year, it was determined that I was managing the diverticulitis well, and that surgery could be postponed. I like to think I did a pretty good job keeping it in check. I wasn't allowed to do a lot of physical activity, as it would aggravate the condition, but suddenly, we had to move! Even with all the help we received, and the scoldings from Trais and Diane, I still managed to do a lot more moving work than I should have and ended up aggravating my bowels. So after many months of comfort, I found myself back at the hospital once again.
The Problem
Diverticulosis is the disease in which pouches or sacks form along the intestinal wall due to weak lining. Diverticulitis is the condition in which the pouches become infected and inflamed. Almost everyone, if they live long enough, will develop diverticulosis. Diverticulitis attacks will present in maybe a quarter of those who have the disease, most of which can be treated by diet and prescription antibiotics. A small percentage will require surgery to correct the issue. I always told my wife I was one in a bajillion.
I am 29 years old. Every other comment at the hospital was: "You're too young to be doing this!" Diverticulosis is considered a later life complication, so it's a bit rare to see it in someone my age, though I know of a few people near my age who suffer the condition as well, we are definitely the exception.
After the most recent attack, my surgeon got a bit worried as it seemed the condition was spreading and expanding. There was some concern about how near it was getting to my bladder. If allowed to touch, the intestine and bladder could possibly fuse together, and things would start flowing in wrong directions and through incorrect exhaust ports. It was decided that surgery was the best option for me going forward, and I was given a date.
 |
| Getting IVs and Anesthesia |
The surgery to be performed is called Laparoscopic Sigmoid Colectomy Resection. I freaked out a bit (I've never had surgery before) but after watching the operation on YouTube, I felt a lot better about going forward with it. Here is a link to the video. It's very informative but also pretty graphic, so probably don't watch it if you get queasy!
The way the operation works, is they punch three holes in you: two for the laparoscopic equipment and one for a camera. They do all the work inside, then make a small incision through which to pull the intestine. They cut the bad portion outside your body, then push the rest back in and reconnect the ends laparoscopically. I have the two bullet point scars to each side of my belly button and one under the incision where they drew out the intestine. They took just under a foot of intestine out.
The Hospital Stay
We showed up on Tuesday at 6am for the procedure. Catherine took me and we met with Grandma Diane in the parking lot, what a pleasant surprise! It was very comforting to know she would be there with Catherine.
I was given a "walking epidural" which was a mite painful to put in, and altogether very weird experience. I don't remember much from before or after the procedure, but apparently I was very intent on getting back to Asgard to help 'finish it,' whatever that meant.
 |
| My kingdom for a spritzer! Thanks Grandma!! |
There are three items I will say were indispensable while I was in the hospital: A water spritzer, a telescoping scratcher, and my phone. It's easy to see why the phone and scratcher would come in handy, but the water spritzer was an absolute life saver! After the surgery, I was only allowed a small ration of water. With oxygen hooked up to my nose, and IVs of a bunch of junk, my mouth and throat were CONSTANTLY dry and irritated. Having the spritzer meant I could spray my mouth and throat without going over my allotment of water, it was the BEST!
 |
| Oh hateful oxygen tube!! How I loathe thee! |
Post-Op
I was up and walking the day of the surgery and on a clear liquids diet the day after. My catheter was (thankfully!) removed the day after surgery when I could prove that I was a big boy and could pee all by myself. The epidural was removed the day after that (second day after surgery) and I was allowed to eat soft foods. I was released from the Hospital on Friday (third day after surgery). In all, it went very well.
The pain is very intense. I have pain from the incisions, the cut and re-sected bowel, the internal bruising, the split muscles and goodness knows what else. The pain meds do a relatively good job of culling the worst of it, but I can tell it will be a while before I feel normal again. My tummy has an odd shape now too, it's lumpy in parts and more droopy than it was before, which is a little embarrassing, but honestly, I hurt too much to care, haha.
At Home
I had grand aspirations to get things done when I got home. Instead, I am mostly relegated by the pain to be crashed on the couch watching Netflix (Holmes Inspection Collection is the BEST!) I'm looking forward to being productive again, I can only hope I heal quickly!
For Asgard!
ReplyDeleteIndeed! haha
Delete