St. Patrick's Day Reflections and a Heartfelt Thanks

Evening folks,

Today is St. Patrick's Day, and it's also the one-year anniversary of my emergency colectomy. This time one year ago I was drifting in and out of consciousness in the ICU whilst my mum and dad held my hands and fed me ice chips.

I've come a long way over the past 12 months, and it has been very rough. As many of you know, I had very rapid and aggressive progression of my colitis and had a major complication a few months after my colecomy in the form of an intentional mucous fistula that my surgeon didn't inform me of. Needless to say it was a long and lonely eight months that I had my ileostomy before my J-pouch surgery last November. I finished my first semester of university while dealing with both the physical and mental anguish that comes with all of this, and in many ways I'm still dealing with that. The past 12 months have left me with a confidence deficit, but I'll deal with that. They say time heals all wounds, so perhaps I've still got healing to do.

On a more uplifting note, I would like to make it very clear that I would not have been able to go through all of that and still come out the other side feeling relatively happy without the help of the people on this site. You've given me tips, shared wisdom and life experience, and been a shoulder to lean on. You're all wonderful people and I want to take this opportunity to thank you all. Whilst having a supportive family is so very valuable, no one really knows how it feels until they've been there. I can't thank you all enough for your help.

I haven't posted in quite a while as this semester of uni is particularly intense, so feel free to let me know what's been happening. I'll do my best to respond. Once again, thank you all for being so supportive and kind. Happy St. Patrick's Day, folks.

Hamish

I can so relate! The 17th of March was my one month out from my 2nd emergency surgery. I had my first emergency surgery on the 12th of July. My colon completely died in less than 24 hours. I was within 3 minutes of passing away before the surgeon was able to stabilize me. I owe everything to God, however. He guided the surgeon's hands and kept me alive. For the next 6 months, I tried to get used to Maxine on my side, but she was constantly angry, and I could barely eat anything before getting sick again and ending up in the hospital. Finally, on my last trip to the ER, there was an anomaly on the CAT scan, and on February 17th, I was rushed into emergency surgery again. The doctor told me that I had the worst stricture he had ever seen and had many adhesions that he had to cut free. New Maxine is now working so much better. The doctor said that my intestines were thick and swollen and very backed up, but that things will get back to normal in time. It has truly been a rough two years for me, and I am hoping for a more normal life this year now that things are working better. I remember lying in ICU for two and a half days right after the first surgery and sucking on those ice chips, but when you aren't allowed any food, they are pretty much a lifesaver. I hope you are doing well now. I get my staples out tomorrow morning, and it will be so much better.

Happy Stomaversary Hamish! Now that your first year is under way I hope the days ahead are much smoother for you.

Glad you are also doing well Freedancer, hope New Maxine is taking good care of you and healing properly as I suspect she should.