I'm baaaaaaaack ;)

Hey friends,

I'm back home now as of the past couple of days. The reversal was a success, to God be the glory. I want to sincerely, from the bottom of my heart, thank you all for your prayers, thoughts, wishes, and encouragement. The outpouring was overwhelming and so touching. Again, I want to say how much you all mean to me. 💗💗

So to sum things up, I now have a hole that's healing from the inside out, just keeping it covered. A day after surgery, a doctor came in and snatched, I mean SNATCHED, the packing out and I immediately started throwing up because it hurt sooooo bad, and no warning. He later came in and apologized, which I appreciated, but let him know it was terrible. Aside from that, I was nauseous for several days. They gave me a patch behind my ear that did the trick to stop the nausea. It was a couple of days and then I was able to pass gas. I said I blame my mom lol...my whole life I've been taught to "be a lady" and now I'm expected to blast it out 😂😂 Going to the bathroom is still not normal. At all. The same day I passed gas, I had movement but it was nothing but blood and clots. Sorry for TMI but about 10 trips worth. No blood the following day or since though. Hemoglobin dropped, I'm assuming because of that. I'm back on my vitamins now with iron. I've yet to have a normal BM but I'm not having anything they told me to watch for - distention, pain, nausea, etc. Other than that, I'm resting quite a bit and hoping to get my energy back. I'm due back to work on the 15th. Just wanted to give an update. I hope you all are having a good, happy day.

Hugs to you all,

Heather

Great opening topic header there.

So pleased to see that and hear of your journey.

That packing touched a nerve since I had about six feet of it in my ass once last year.

I howled so loud security came.

The doctor held that gauze packing up for me to see, from head to toe. Six feet.

They suck. No warning. However, now if I hear of packing, I ask for a sedative prior to removing it.

A bit better.

You came through it all. A true warrior princess. Glad you're back. 🤗 And moving along well.

Wishing you a swift return to normalcy. I'm having my colostomy reversed Tuesday the 12th at Advent on Williamson by Dr. Christopher Grove. Wondering if by chance that's where you went. I'm in Ormond Beach.

Great news, Heather!  

Yes! God is good. Even though we are used to it, I'm amazed we can be put to sleep, they open us up, poke around. Later we awake and start on the road back to normal.

Definitely not cool yanking the packing out like that. Do they forget? We're human.. HELLO!

Take it easy. Remember it takes time for recovery.

Wishing you a successful surgery.

Stories of Living Life to the Fullest from Ostomy Advocates I Hollister

Thank you for coming back, Heather. I am so happy your surgery was a success. Hopefully, you aren't trying to get back to work too soon. I hate that you had so much pain and nausea with the snatching doctor. Stay well, Heather.

Hi Heather!

Please remember to take it easy for a while. We get so caught up in the things we want to do, should do, must do...

The only thing that matters right now is recovery and finding things that make us smile. A good laugh can change our entire day; I personally chase the humor every waking moment. A quick look in the mirror gets me on the right track.

Eewwww!

Got the header idea from a warrior buddy ;)

6.......FEET?!? I cannot even begin to imagine the horror. Unreal. Ok... good advice. If I ever deal with a packing job again, I will most definitely ask for a sedative. Glad to be back and thank you!

Well hey, neighbor! You're right up the road! I had all my procedures done at Mayo in Jacksonville because that's where I was originally referred when my whole journey started last April. (Long story, but I was originally referred to Mayo GYN Oncology for what was thought to be a complex cyst on my ovary - nope, turned out to be adhesions/infection from a year's worth of a perforated colon from diverticulitis slowly bubbling all throughout my abdomen that I was stringing along surviving on antibiotics. Total hysterectomy, partial sigmoidectomy, colostomy later replaced by loop ileostomy, now reversed). I'm not familiar with Dr. Grove, but I'm sure you're gonna be just fine, and I'll be praying for you on the 12th and for a healthy, quick recovery!! Let me know if I can help you.

Hey Dan, thank you! I know! It is crazy and a bit scary that they're in there poking around while we lie obliviously!

And yes, I could have wrapped that packing around his neck for a nice necklace lol.

I'm just hoping things get moving soon... if you know what I mean.

Thank you, Morning Glory, it's good to be back! I'm out of time at work and must go back on the 15th. I hope things have started moving by then and I'm ready. Thank you for caring ☺️

Hey Imsafanwa! I couldn't agree with you more, laughter is so very important! I like the way you think! And... there's no eewwww in your mirror, I'd say more ahhhhh!! ☺️

Great news, Heather... sounds like you cleared the harbor and have calm seas ahead! That's awesome!!!

;O)

There you go, I knew you could do it.

Well done, Heather. You are special just like the rest of us, and I hope you get all that you desire. x

That's great news. I'm happy for you. I hope the sun keeps shining bright for you.

Well done, Heather

Glad your reversal is progressing well.

Step by step

BW

Jayne

Thank you so very much, Bob! I'm sure hoping so!!! :-D I appreciate your cheers!

Hugs, Axl. Thank you so much for your support!! ☺️ Special, special people 💗 and I hope the very same for you.

Thank you so much, Jax! ☺️ I hope the sun continually shines down upon you and brings you nothing but happiness.

Hey Jayne, thank you very much! Best wishes to you always. ☺️

Glad you're back, Heather. Happy for you. Baby steps. Hugs.

So happy all went well for you. Take care and rest up.

G'day Heather, great news and it will get better every day, so keep us up to date. Regards, IGGIE

Hi Heather, some docs have no compassion. I had a surgeon that ripped the clear bandage off the main scar that pulled staples out. I was ready to punch him out. I was allowed to work light duty for 2 weeks after I went back. Good luck.

Great news 😊🙏🌈. Don't go back to work too soon…. I made that mistake after my last surgery. I'm sure your bathroom habits will work out just fine in due time! Congratulations!

Thank you so much, and soon you'll be back! Waiting to hear. Hugs to you!

Thanks, Iggie! I surely will!! ❤️

Hey Ron, yes exactly! Like it's just their job... no thoughts considered for poor us going through it. 😖 Good grief! Yanked the staples out with it?! I can imagine how you wanted to nail him! Thank you for your encouragement. ☺️☺️

Thank you, Dexie! 💗 I'm gonna try my best to take it easy. I don't have a choice at this point but to go back then, but I'll be careful. I'm not willing to mess myself up after all this. And... I'm being careful coughing lol

That's good, because yours truly already has another hernia 😬😭. Seeing the doc soon to confirm, but it's not my first rodeo - I know one when I see one. For a few weeks I've been just hoping it was scar tissue, or healing, but I was only kidding myself.

Nothing I can do… too soon for another surgery. I did everything I could not to cough - wore my belt, and supported my abdomen when I did cough and sneeze. Apparently didn't work. My other hernia that they fixed under my colostomy was big but it didn't really bother me physically. This one is smaller but in a different location and it really feels uncomfortable when I stand. Pressure. Argh, I had such a perfect operation… that dang virus!

So now I will be facing another surgery, probably sooner than later. But, am I sorry I did the reversal? Absolutely not! I'm still very grateful the reconnection itself went well! My surgeon had told me upfront a hernia might occur as I've had multiple abdominal surgeries, I just never thought it would happen straight out of surgery! Never thought I would be sick with involuntary coughing and sneezing. Such bad timing…

My advice… stay away from people, lol. Protect yourself. Take it easy. I'm glad things are going well 😊