Monday, September 22, 2008

T-minus 29 hours

I am much more calm going into this surgery then the last.  Unlike last time, here I am 1 day before, with no bags packed, no laundry done and no compulsion to clean the entire house.  
Here are the stats for tomorrow.  The surgery is scheduled for the afternoon.  It should only take 1 1/2 hours.  The surgeon, Dr Donald Kim,  will reconnect my small intestines.  He'll attempt to use the current incision where Stoma Stan is now, and only make it an inch or two bigger.  Then he'll have to fish out the other end of my small intestine (the "downstream end", from the j-pouch) and he'll sew that to Stoma Stan.  Then he'll shove it back into my body.  There are only two places he may experience a little hiccup.  It may take him longer than expected to find the loose end of my small intestines.  (Here's to hoping he's a good fisherman.)  And if a lot of scar tissue has formed, he may have to reopen my main incision.  Scott will post an update when I'm out of surgery.  Then I plan to be blogging from my hospital room.  The expected hospital stay should only be 3 days, but it completely depends on how quick my GI tract wakes up. 

Come tomorrow my insides will no longer be outside.  I'll no longer be excreting my excrement through my abdomen.  I will sit on a toilet to poop. Often.  Like really, really, often.  I'll be like a toddler being potty trained.  I'll have to relearn my body's signs that I gotta go.  Part of my small intestines will have to learn  the job of colon and rectum.  Let's hope my small intestines have a quick learning curve.  

10 comments:

Aunt Deb and Family said...

I can't breath when I read your blog. I'm thinking of you every moment of everyday. I pray this time you get a break and your body takes this surgery well and you and your body catch on right away.
If I can come and help you in anyway please ask. I can be there in a little over 8 hours. :} Love ya and best wishes. Aunt Deb

therisingmuse said...

Wow, you're a brave soul. I'll be praying for during your surgery and for a speedy recovery. Even though this new process might seem hard now at the end it's actually the beginning of the better journey. God has a great plan in your life! Your nestie friend. Naty (mssmith2b)

Keri said...

Good luck, Steph! I'll be thinking about you tomorrow.

apt said...

Thoughts continue for you. Hope the recovery is smooth and quick.

Anonymous said...

Good luck, remember, as soon as you're up for it, the Nesties want to hear from you how you're doing, and how many trashy magazines you need!

Unknown said...

Wow, my thoughts and prayers are definitely with you during your surgery tomorrow. My husband is currently battling colon cancer as well, so I can empathize with the process you're going through right now. Be encouraged!

Dolli (MISSD2U)

aunt colleen said...

Wow. I don't even know how to put it into words, so I'll simply send you and Scott and your folks the biggest circle of love, healing thoughts, and prayers. (for you and the doctors)

Heather said...

thinking about and praying for you today!

Anonymous said...

You are in our thoughts and prayers Steph. Love you

Mandy said...

Hoping everything goes great jotoday! Take it easy!!