I woke up Tuesday morning pumped and ready to do my fleet enema to finish prepping for surgery. Once I was done washing my disastrous crack, I flexed my muscles in the mirror to remind myself to be strong before I got dressed in some comfortable clothes, and then my mom drove me to the surgery center. Upon arriving I didn't even hesitate to jump out of the car and make my way toward this exciting crack-patch adventure. It took thirty minutes to fill out paperwork, sign my life away, and charge such a ridiculous amount for the procedure on my shiny credit card that it brought a tear to my eye. They let my mom come back with me where we were placed in a curtained off room and I was immediately told to strip. Normally, I would at least expect a conversation first or to be wined and dined, but since I was fasting for the procedure I can understand why they rushed right into getting me naked. They can't get enough of me... they keep scheduling me for more appointments so that I can take off my clothes.
While I could hear my doctor/surgeon making her rounds with other patients a nurse came in and asked if I wanted to do a urine sample or sign a paper stating I'm not pregnant. By some miracle I actually had to pee, so I climbed out of the hospital bed in my butt-flap gown and "poop" socks with turd emojis all over them and proudly offered to give her a sample of my urine. She tried to hook me up to the IV, but after rolling the needle a few times with no success, she called in the anesthesia specialist in to help her. I didn't yell at anyone because I know one of my callings is to be a pin cushion. Gosh darn it, I was the best damn pin cushion I could be. A little while later I was informed I wasn't pregnant. Someone throw me a party to celebrate not being pregnant!!! My doctor came in to give us the break down of what she planed to do. She said it's common for the rubber seton she'll place in the fistula to have to stay for up to 20 weeks for Crohn's patients to completely heal. blah, blah, yeah, do whatever you think is best. I trust my ass in your small, cold hands.
Someone injected something special into my IV line and I started feeling dazed as they rolled me to a different room. I remember thinking this is a very cluttered operating room before they had me roll onto a different table onto my belly with my arms above my head... and that's the last thing I remember before waking up to my mom and a nurse rushing me to wake up to get dressed. My doctor came in wearing her surgeon outfit. Great news: she searched for the fistula she saw last week, but there was no sign of it. No drainage seton was needed! She finally removed a skin tag that had been bugging her for two years. She flexed a stricture for the sigmoidoscopy and found another stricture further up with active disease. Since there wasn't a fistula, I think recovery will be easy. I'm just sore from the flex and bleeding from where the skin tag was removed. I'm on orders to limit activity for two weeks until my follow up appointment on the 29th.
I shouldn't be shocked, but I am. I'm just not accustomed to getting good news regarding these kinds of things.
P.S. I completely lost my voice afterwards.
Showing posts with label abscess. Show all posts
Showing posts with label abscess. Show all posts
Thursday, April 14, 2016
Sunday, April 10, 2016
Fake It Until You Make It
I've been getting tons of good vibes from family and friends. It's great to know that people care. It's interesting to hear people's different thoughts about the procedure I'll be getting done on Tuesday. The common theme seems to be positivity. I'm constantly reminded that "it could be worse." From my point of view, I think, it could also be better.
Am I worried about Tuesday? No, I've always wanted an operation done on my ass. It's a dream come true, really. That's sarcastic positivity at it's finest.
My mentality has improved since the beginning of the year. However, one of my concerns, going into surgery, is that my mental strength will slip away. I've worked hard to find happiness again. I'm anxious about the possibility of becoming depressed. I expect to struggle with it, but I know if recovery keeps me from training for too long, it will be difficult to fake positivity. Yes, some of my positivity is fake. See my sarcastic positivity above. Get over it. I fake smiles and I fake feeling well, so this shouldn't be a huge shock. I fake it to make people feel more comfortable and to prevent my negativity from shading positive vibes. I fake it for myself, too. I will fake it until I make it genuine.
It all goes down at the Surgery Center when I check-in at noon on Tuesday, April 12, 2016.
Am I worried about Tuesday? No, I've always wanted an operation done on my ass. It's a dream come true, really. That's sarcastic positivity at it's finest.
My mentality has improved since the beginning of the year. However, one of my concerns, going into surgery, is that my mental strength will slip away. I've worked hard to find happiness again. I'm anxious about the possibility of becoming depressed. I expect to struggle with it, but I know if recovery keeps me from training for too long, it will be difficult to fake positivity. Yes, some of my positivity is fake. See my sarcastic positivity above. Get over it. I fake smiles and I fake feeling well, so this shouldn't be a huge shock. I fake it to make people feel more comfortable and to prevent my negativity from shading positive vibes. I fake it for myself, too. I will fake it until I make it genuine.
It all goes down at the Surgery Center when I check-in at noon on Tuesday, April 12, 2016.
Tuesday, April 5, 2016
Crohn's Sucks
Excuse me while I wallow in self pity. I went to my colorectal specialist today. The pain from my abscess is pretty much non-existent. It's only tender to touch directly. I dropped my pants and my doctor poked around with her finger finding the abscess. The abscess was tender to her touch, but I didn't feel the pain I felt on Thursday when my gastro touched it. The colorectal moved her finger to another spot that I didn't realize was tender as well. She pointed out that it was a fistula. She asked a few questions about possible side effects, which I hadn't experienced. That's when she said something like: For your bottom being such a disaster, you sure don't show a lot of symptoms. Even my doctor thinks my ass is a disaster. lol
According to the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, "An anal fistula (also commonly called fistula-in-ano) is frequently the result of a previous or current anal abscess. This occurs in up to 50% of patients with abscesses."
Apparently, even though the antibiotics are healing the abscess, the fistula makes it extremely likely for the abscess to return after my round of antibiotics are complete. My colorectal doctor was very concerned and recommended that I schedule surgery for next week. Next week, I will have my first Crohn's related surgery. She will be opening up the fistula and possibly the abscess to put a drainage seton in place to open it up so that it can drain and heal. She will also be flexing my stricture in hopes to being able to perform a sigmoidoscopy and she will be surgically removing a skin tag by my anus. She said recovery is one to two weeks. I'm so thankful that my supervisor at work has been understanding throughout all of this and told me today that "my health comes first" when I apologized for having to take off four days next week.
I feel like this song 'We Don't Have to Dance' by Andy, the lead singer of the Black Veil Brides band was written about my relationship with Crohn's.
According to the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, "An anal fistula (also commonly called fistula-in-ano) is frequently the result of a previous or current anal abscess. This occurs in up to 50% of patients with abscesses."
Apparently, even though the antibiotics are healing the abscess, the fistula makes it extremely likely for the abscess to return after my round of antibiotics are complete. My colorectal doctor was very concerned and recommended that I schedule surgery for next week. Next week, I will have my first Crohn's related surgery. She will be opening up the fistula and possibly the abscess to put a drainage seton in place to open it up so that it can drain and heal. She will also be flexing my stricture in hopes to being able to perform a sigmoidoscopy and she will be surgically removing a skin tag by my anus. She said recovery is one to two weeks. I'm so thankful that my supervisor at work has been understanding throughout all of this and told me today that "my health comes first" when I apologized for having to take off four days next week.
I feel like this song 'We Don't Have to Dance' by Andy, the lead singer of the Black Veil Brides band was written about my relationship with Crohn's.
Saturday, April 2, 2016
Stressed Out and Unable to Run
I was doing some research and I found an article on Healthline that stated, "...abscesses occur in about one-fourth of people with Crohn's disease. Abscesses often need to be drained, or surgery may sometimes be suggested." Usually, I avoid doing research like this because the results stress me out. I find myself to be in the one quarter of patients with Crohn's disease that has had an abscess occur. Those aren't good odds. It feels like I definitely drew the short end of the stick.
According to CCFA "...up to 75% of people with Crohn's disease will eventually require surgery." I know surgery is a real possibility, but it doesn't change the fact that I'm in denial about that possibility. It freaks me out that an abscess may lead to needing surgery.
I haven't ran since my awesome three mile run last Saturday. The pain from the abscess has had me sidelined. I know this won't likely be my only roadblock on my journey to the NYC Marathon finish line, so I'm taking it in stride. I listened to my body earlier this week and rested rather than pushing through the pain and going for a run. I'm listening to my Doctors so that I can get better as soon as possible. My motivation is still through the roof! Mentally, I'm feeling stronger than ever, so the abscess and antibiotics are not getting me down. Surprisingly, I feel postitive and I'm determined to get back on track once I feel better.
According to CCFA "...up to 75% of people with Crohn's disease will eventually require surgery." I know surgery is a real possibility, but it doesn't change the fact that I'm in denial about that possibility. It freaks me out that an abscess may lead to needing surgery.
I haven't ran since my awesome three mile run last Saturday. The pain from the abscess has had me sidelined. I know this won't likely be my only roadblock on my journey to the NYC Marathon finish line, so I'm taking it in stride. I listened to my body earlier this week and rested rather than pushing through the pain and going for a run. I'm listening to my Doctors so that I can get better as soon as possible. My motivation is still through the roof! Mentally, I'm feeling stronger than ever, so the abscess and antibiotics are not getting me down. Surprisingly, I feel postitive and I'm determined to get back on track once I feel better.
Thursday, March 31, 2016
The Unthinkable Happened
I had been feeling great for a while and it gave me confidence to start announcing how well I was doing... and then Tuesday happened. I started feeling pain between my down below cheeks. By the time I got home and mustered up the courage to grab a mirror to help me see what was going on, I had an unmistakable abscess. I felt more frustrated than concerned because I don't have time to be dealing with this shit. I want to be healthy to run. I want to be healthy to put my best foot forward at work. Hell, I just want to be healthy so that I can live my life pain free.
I tried to get my gastro or colorectal doctors to prescribe me antibiotics, but they guided me to make an appointment with my gastro first. On Wednesday, I knew I had to make an appointment quickly before my absscess got any worse. That meant I also had to request off of work less than two full weeks into my new position. Requesting off of work for health reasons stresses me out because it's often on short notice. I never wanted to have the difficult conversation with my employer describing my condition, Crohn's disease. It wasn't a possibility. I wouldn't even consider it. I should write another post describing my motives behind my decision not to disclose my health issues with co-workers and supervisors.
Anyway, the unthinkable happened on Wednesday when I requested off for my doctor's appointment today. I told my supervisor that I needed to take some personal time and she was easy going about it. I apologized for the short notice and mentioned that if she needs to know more info, I would tell her. So, being a talkative gal she chimed right in and said, "Well, now you've peaked my interest. What more is there to know?" I pretty much wanted to crawl into hole and swallow my tongue. I closed her office door and proceeded to tell her I have Crohn's disease. I explained what Crohn's is and then she asked a few personal questions, but it was too late to shut up. She was understanding and supportive. The most impressive thing though was that I didn't cry at all during the conversation. I don't know why I usually get emotional when I have to talk about it, but not this time. It was like an out of body experience. When I walked out of her office, I felt like a huge weight had been lifted. Even today, she asked me more questions about it.
Bring on the antibiotics: Flagyl and Cipro! I'll be feeling like shit for the next ten to fourteen days just so that I can feel better. I will likely poop myself before it's over!!!
I tried to get my gastro or colorectal doctors to prescribe me antibiotics, but they guided me to make an appointment with my gastro first. On Wednesday, I knew I had to make an appointment quickly before my absscess got any worse. That meant I also had to request off of work less than two full weeks into my new position. Requesting off of work for health reasons stresses me out because it's often on short notice. I never wanted to have the difficult conversation with my employer describing my condition, Crohn's disease. It wasn't a possibility. I wouldn't even consider it. I should write another post describing my motives behind my decision not to disclose my health issues with co-workers and supervisors.
Anyway, the unthinkable happened on Wednesday when I requested off for my doctor's appointment today. I told my supervisor that I needed to take some personal time and she was easy going about it. I apologized for the short notice and mentioned that if she needs to know more info, I would tell her. So, being a talkative gal she chimed right in and said, "Well, now you've peaked my interest. What more is there to know?" I pretty much wanted to crawl into hole and swallow my tongue. I closed her office door and proceeded to tell her I have Crohn's disease. I explained what Crohn's is and then she asked a few personal questions, but it was too late to shut up. She was understanding and supportive. The most impressive thing though was that I didn't cry at all during the conversation. I don't know why I usually get emotional when I have to talk about it, but not this time. It was like an out of body experience. When I walked out of her office, I felt like a huge weight had been lifted. Even today, she asked me more questions about it.
Bring on the antibiotics: Flagyl and Cipro! I'll be feeling like shit for the next ten to fourteen days just so that I can feel better. I will likely poop myself before it's over!!!
Thursday, October 16, 2014
The Abscess is Gone
It's been three weeks since I got my first abscess. I endured two weeks of heavy antibiotic treatment. My bowel movements still aren't back to normal. Giving antibiotics to someone with IBD seems like cruel and unusual punishment. I guess the punishment was worth it though. Today, at my follow up appointment with my colorectal specialist, I had another rectal exam where Dr. Mueller concluded that the abscess is gone! It's such a huge relief to get the all clear. Even though I knew I wasn't in pain anymore, I'm always second guessing my body because it doesn't always know what it's telling me. "The abscess is gone." Those words were music to my ears. She actually seemed pretty surprised that the antibiotics took care of the abscess and I didn't have to visit her before my follow up. She also made it clear that if I ever think another abscess is forming I'm to contact her first asap. Yeah, uh-huh, sure lady whatever you say. There better not be another one! The thought of another abscess in the future freaks me out because I know when I see her first that I'll likely end up in surgery. I hope I never have to find out if antibiotics that make me feel like death are better or not than having surgery.
During the exam Mueller loosened my tight anus/rectum with her finger. I didn't think anything of it at the time. It felt as uncomfortable as I'm accustomed to it feeling. However, when I got home and had tons of blood in my stool, I wondered what the heck she did inside there. Sure, I'm used to some blood occasionally, but this wasn't even "normal" for me. I'm patiently waiting to having another BM to see if it's cleared up or not. I'm not in any pain, so it can't be that bad, right?
During the exam Mueller loosened my tight anus/rectum with her finger. I didn't think anything of it at the time. It felt as uncomfortable as I'm accustomed to it feeling. However, when I got home and had tons of blood in my stool, I wondered what the heck she did inside there. Sure, I'm used to some blood occasionally, but this wasn't even "normal" for me. I'm patiently waiting to having another BM to see if it's cleared up or not. I'm not in any pain, so it can't be that bad, right?
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Abscess
Tuesday was a crazy day. I answered the 100 questions on my Real Estate Valuation and Appraisal mid-term in 35 minutes. I got a 94%! My brain does apparently work! Thankfully, since I finished the exam quickly, I didn't have to rush my enemas. So, I was able to enjoy them, right? NO!!! Have you ever tried to give a swollen-ish asshole an enema? It's not easy, nor was it pleasant.
After that was over with I had some time to relax before heading to the colorectal specialist with my mom. While I relaxed I learned I got an 82% on the portfolio analysis exam I took last week when this all started going down. I was disappointed, but when I learned I got to add a 4 point curve to bring it up to an 86% it was a bit easier to swallow.
I arrived to the colon & rectal clinic early, but still ended up waiting an hour after my appointment time before being called back. As usual I was the youngest person there. The waiting room was filled with mostly old men. In order to pass time, I pondered why everyone was there. I concluded old men just have bad butts. I was surprised I weighed in at 151lbs! That's fantastic considering on Friday I was down to 146lbs. I told the nurse what Mike Jolly said on Friday and she wrote down notes for Dr. Renee Mueller, my colorectal specialist. Mueller came in and asked some questions before the nurse came back in to prepare me for yet another rectal exam. Two rectal exams in less than a week. This has to be some kind of hell, right?
I dropped my underwear and pants to my ankles, knelt on the lower part of the table for my knees (while sitting on the table this is where my feet rest), and then I leaned forward to lay my stomach on the regular part of the table where a healthy person would sit their butt. Once I was in position, the nurse flipped the switch to move the table so that my butt was higher in the air and my head was lower to the ground. It's quite an experience, but I understand why it's not a ride at Disney. Mueller didn't insert the scope, she just probed around with her gloved finger. So happy her fingers are thinner than Jolly's. The probing still hurt like crazy though. Probably because there's still inflammation down there. To my surprise she didn't find any sign of a fistula. She found the abscess, which she had trouble examining because it begins in my labial majora and tracks to the anus.
After I got dressed, Mueller came back in to discuss what she found during the exam. The good news is there isn't a fistula. The bad news is that even though the abscess is in part of a vaginal area (labial majora), it's most definitely related to Crohn's disease. Mueller said that if I would have seen her on Friday that she would have sent me directly to the operating room to have the abscess drained. However, since it seems to be improving with the antibiotics she's going to see me in two weeks once I'm off the antibiotics to see how it's doing. If it gets worse or stops improving before it's completely healed, I'm supposed to call her and she'll take me to the operating room. The recovery time would be two to three weeks. That would devastate me right in the middle of this semester. I don't want to have to explain that "surgery" to three different professors.
I feel like I dodged a huge bullet and it's looking promising that I'll make it out without having to go under the knife.
After that was over with I had some time to relax before heading to the colorectal specialist with my mom. While I relaxed I learned I got an 82% on the portfolio analysis exam I took last week when this all started going down. I was disappointed, but when I learned I got to add a 4 point curve to bring it up to an 86% it was a bit easier to swallow.
I arrived to the colon & rectal clinic early, but still ended up waiting an hour after my appointment time before being called back. As usual I was the youngest person there. The waiting room was filled with mostly old men. In order to pass time, I pondered why everyone was there. I concluded old men just have bad butts. I was surprised I weighed in at 151lbs! That's fantastic considering on Friday I was down to 146lbs. I told the nurse what Mike Jolly said on Friday and she wrote down notes for Dr. Renee Mueller, my colorectal specialist. Mueller came in and asked some questions before the nurse came back in to prepare me for yet another rectal exam. Two rectal exams in less than a week. This has to be some kind of hell, right?
I dropped my underwear and pants to my ankles, knelt on the lower part of the table for my knees (while sitting on the table this is where my feet rest), and then I leaned forward to lay my stomach on the regular part of the table where a healthy person would sit their butt. Once I was in position, the nurse flipped the switch to move the table so that my butt was higher in the air and my head was lower to the ground. It's quite an experience, but I understand why it's not a ride at Disney. Mueller didn't insert the scope, she just probed around with her gloved finger. So happy her fingers are thinner than Jolly's. The probing still hurt like crazy though. Probably because there's still inflammation down there. To my surprise she didn't find any sign of a fistula. She found the abscess, which she had trouble examining because it begins in my labial majora and tracks to the anus.
After I got dressed, Mueller came back in to discuss what she found during the exam. The good news is there isn't a fistula. The bad news is that even though the abscess is in part of a vaginal area (labial majora), it's most definitely related to Crohn's disease. Mueller said that if I would have seen her on Friday that she would have sent me directly to the operating room to have the abscess drained. However, since it seems to be improving with the antibiotics she's going to see me in two weeks once I'm off the antibiotics to see how it's doing. If it gets worse or stops improving before it's completely healed, I'm supposed to call her and she'll take me to the operating room. The recovery time would be two to three weeks. That would devastate me right in the middle of this semester. I don't want to have to explain that "surgery" to three different professors.
I feel like I dodged a huge bullet and it's looking promising that I'll make it out without having to go under the knife.
Monday, September 29, 2014
Is Tomorrow Over, Yet?
I plan on being at the COB (College of Business) testing center when it opens at 7am tomorrow morning to take my Real Estate Valuation and Appraisal midterm exam. Immediately following the two hour, 100 question exam, I have to rush back home to give myself two fleet enemas to prep for my rectal exam at 11am. This is the one where I'm expecting to actually be able to see what the heck is going on in my colon on the screen while the scope is inside me. Honestly, I'm not sure I want to look, but I'm sure my curiosity will get the best of me. Will the fistula be visible? Will my colorectal specialist recommend surgery? Will the rectal exam be more painful than usual? Sometimes I wish they'd give me anesthesia, but then I remember that anesthesia is expensive and if insurance deems it un-necessary they won't cover it.
How lucky am I to have a rectal exam added to my list of midterm exams? I'm more nervous for my rectal exam than any of the others. This week I really want to quit school because I feel completely overwhelmed.
How lucky am I to have a rectal exam added to my list of midterm exams? I'm more nervous for my rectal exam than any of the others. This week I really want to quit school because I feel completely overwhelmed.
Sunday, September 28, 2014
My Medical Cocktail
First on the list of ingredients in my medical cocktail is a probiotic prescription. It's VSL#3 DS. You can get VSL#3 over the counter, but since I've got the DS (double strength) it requires a prescription. It comes it powder form and I mix it into juice twice a day to consume 900 billion live bacteria. It tastes like rubber gloves, but I've been managing to choke it down. The bacteria in my gut is messed up because my body attacks the good bacteria. This causes inflammation and Crohn's symptoms. Now that I'm on two antibiotics my gut is going through a rollercoaster of trying to sort the good and bad bacteria effectively to fight the right bacteria, so this probiotic is suppose to give it a boost. My honest opinion is that I should have been prescribed this probiotic a while ago regardless of whether I'm on antibiotics or not.
Second on the list of ingredients in my medical cocktail is an antibiotic called Flagyl (Metronidazole 500 MG). I'm taking it every eight hours, so three times a day. I used to take Flagyl about ten years ago when I was first diagnosed with Crohn's, so I have experience with it. It causes cancer in mice and rats. I'm not surprised because it seems like every drug I take causes cancer. Alcohol is forbidden while taking Flagyl and for at least three days after the last dose. Trust me, I'm not drinking anytime soon. Flagyl may affect certain lab test results. I've been known to feel dizzy while taking Flagyl, which is another side-effect. Because of that my mom has volunteered to drive me to school this week, and I'll hitch a ride to work with my sisters. Other possible side-effects include: persistent nerve problems, appetite loss, constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, headache, metallic taste, nausea, stomach upset or cramping, and trouble sleeping among others. The ones that I experience most are dizziness and nausea. Especially in a moving car.
The last ingredient in my medical cocktail is another antibiotic. This one is called Ciprofloxacin HCL 750 MG. I'm taking it every twelve hours, so twice a day. This drug came with eight pages of patient information. I've also taken Ciprofloxacin before, but I've never taken it at the same time as Flagyl. The key with this one is to drink plenty of water and to avoid caffeine. This drug scares me because it's known for it's increased risk of tendon problems. As a runner that's terrifying. These risks include pain, swelling, inflammation, and possible breakage of tendons. The Achilles tendon in the back of the foot/ankle is most often affected. This medicine may cause drowsiness, dizziness and lightheadedness. (yes, I feel like I'm experiencing brain fog. My mind isn't sharp and I'm finding it difficult to focus.) I'm supposed to avoid the sun while on this med because I'll burn more easily. Other side-effects include: diarrhea, dizziness, and nausea.
I've also been taking an Epson salt bath once a day to soak the tender area down below. Overall, my butt pain was relieved a little today. I'm moving a little better and the pain isn't as sharp. The swelling around my anus and to my panty line has gone down tremendously. The abscess is still releasing a discharge though. I'm not sure which drug is responsible for me actually remembering my dream last night, but I quite enjoyed it. I dreamt I was jumping on the bed with Jim Parsons, the guy who plays Sheldon on the Big Bang Theory. After jumping on the bed for what seemed like hours, we proceeded to run around a park in our PJs popping bubbles with the joy a puppy has at the sniff of a treat. Can't wait to see what tonight's dream will be.
Second on the list of ingredients in my medical cocktail is an antibiotic called Flagyl (Metronidazole 500 MG). I'm taking it every eight hours, so three times a day. I used to take Flagyl about ten years ago when I was first diagnosed with Crohn's, so I have experience with it. It causes cancer in mice and rats. I'm not surprised because it seems like every drug I take causes cancer. Alcohol is forbidden while taking Flagyl and for at least three days after the last dose. Trust me, I'm not drinking anytime soon. Flagyl may affect certain lab test results. I've been known to feel dizzy while taking Flagyl, which is another side-effect. Because of that my mom has volunteered to drive me to school this week, and I'll hitch a ride to work with my sisters. Other possible side-effects include: persistent nerve problems, appetite loss, constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, headache, metallic taste, nausea, stomach upset or cramping, and trouble sleeping among others. The ones that I experience most are dizziness and nausea. Especially in a moving car.
The last ingredient in my medical cocktail is another antibiotic. This one is called Ciprofloxacin HCL 750 MG. I'm taking it every twelve hours, so twice a day. This drug came with eight pages of patient information. I've also taken Ciprofloxacin before, but I've never taken it at the same time as Flagyl. The key with this one is to drink plenty of water and to avoid caffeine. This drug scares me because it's known for it's increased risk of tendon problems. As a runner that's terrifying. These risks include pain, swelling, inflammation, and possible breakage of tendons. The Achilles tendon in the back of the foot/ankle is most often affected. This medicine may cause drowsiness, dizziness and lightheadedness. (yes, I feel like I'm experiencing brain fog. My mind isn't sharp and I'm finding it difficult to focus.) I'm supposed to avoid the sun while on this med because I'll burn more easily. Other side-effects include: diarrhea, dizziness, and nausea.
I've also been taking an Epson salt bath once a day to soak the tender area down below. Overall, my butt pain was relieved a little today. I'm moving a little better and the pain isn't as sharp. The swelling around my anus and to my panty line has gone down tremendously. The abscess is still releasing a discharge though. I'm not sure which drug is responsible for me actually remembering my dream last night, but I quite enjoyed it. I dreamt I was jumping on the bed with Jim Parsons, the guy who plays Sheldon on the Big Bang Theory. After jumping on the bed for what seemed like hours, we proceeded to run around a park in our PJs popping bubbles with the joy a puppy has at the sniff of a treat. Can't wait to see what tonight's dream will be.
Friday, September 26, 2014
One Painful Day After Another
I woke up in a lot of pain and discomfort. It hurt to move. This morning I called my general physician's office to ask who I should see about my swollen and sore bottom. Naturally, the physician wasn't in today, but his nurse was and she recommended going to the OBGYN. I discussed this with my mom and we both had a gut feeling that wasn't the right answer, so I called my gastroenterologist's office to see what they thought. Naturally, my gastro wasn't in today either, but there was a nurse practitioner at the gastro office with an opening at 9:45am. So, I went to see him, Mike Jolly.
I don't care one way or the other about whether I have male or female doctors/nurses looking at me. I anticipated going into the appointment that I'd have to have a rectal exam done. I should be used to those by now, right? Nope, not really. His huge finger entered my strictured rectum and he said, "I believe you have a fistula."
He explained it more once I got dressed and he came back into the room. The news: I have an anal abscess, which is an infected cavity filled with pus found near the anus or rectum. Holy fucking shit, that explains why I'm experiencing so much pain. Just by feeling around my rectum with his finger he believes a fistula is forming because of the abscess. Also a huge contributor to the PAIN! He ordered the nurse to schedule an urgent appointment with my colorectal specialist/surgeon because be thinks I need surgery. I go to see the colorectal specialist on Tuesday... the same day as my Real Estate Appraisal mid-term, so we'll see how that goes. Jolly also prescribed two antibiotics, both with horrible side effects. However, at this point, I'll gladly take them over what I'm experiencing currently. And, he prescribed a high potent probiotic, which seems promising and insurance actually covered it.
I owe a big thank you to my mom. She has been amazing. Taking care of me and going above and beyond what I deserve. I cried hard today. I'm disappointed in my body. I'm trying to fight my tendency to slip into depression during rough health patches. Not sure if it's working. I don't want this body, but I want this life. So, I chug along. I'm grateful for the people praying for me. I'm still miserable. I'm scared about what news Tuesday will bring. I'm afraid of needing surgery. I'm afraid my body is starting to reject Cimza.
I don't care one way or the other about whether I have male or female doctors/nurses looking at me. I anticipated going into the appointment that I'd have to have a rectal exam done. I should be used to those by now, right? Nope, not really. His huge finger entered my strictured rectum and he said, "I believe you have a fistula."
He explained it more once I got dressed and he came back into the room. The news: I have an anal abscess, which is an infected cavity filled with pus found near the anus or rectum. Holy fucking shit, that explains why I'm experiencing so much pain. Just by feeling around my rectum with his finger he believes a fistula is forming because of the abscess. Also a huge contributor to the PAIN! He ordered the nurse to schedule an urgent appointment with my colorectal specialist/surgeon because be thinks I need surgery. I go to see the colorectal specialist on Tuesday... the same day as my Real Estate Appraisal mid-term, so we'll see how that goes. Jolly also prescribed two antibiotics, both with horrible side effects. However, at this point, I'll gladly take them over what I'm experiencing currently. And, he prescribed a high potent probiotic, which seems promising and insurance actually covered it.
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