Well I am very delayed in my update but it has been an eventful month. It is also quite challenging to tastefully write an update that completely revolves around using the bathroom… so here goes. Long story short it was a bumpy ride but I am doing SO SO well but for those who care, here are the details leading up to now. 

I had surgery March 24th to reverse my ileostomy and the initial recovery went awesome, things were “moving” along even better than expected. I struggled with a lot more pain from the incision than I expected but was able to leave the hospital after four nights. I continued to struggle with urgency and very little warning before needing to use the bathroom which they had prepared me for. Because of this, we stopped all stool softeners. I was able to make the drive back to Oklahoma and a few days later, I was admitted to the hospital with severe constipation… yes a very sudden turn of events. They started me antibiotics thinking a potential infection could be contributing to a narrowing of my bowels in some places. Ultimately, I was able to go to the bathroom on my own, but they did a scope to help clear the impaction. During the procedure, I vomited stomach acid and I subsequently inhaled it leading to severe bilateral aspiration pneumonia/pneumonitus. I was on oxygen for nearly 24 hours and the coughing that was necessary to help expel the fluid in my lungs but was extremely painful with my abdominal incision. Needless to say, it was a very rough couple days. Thankfully, the pneumonia healed quickly and the focus again became working on keeping me regular but not running to the bathroom. There have been so many contributing factors including pain meds, antibiotics, changes to my activity level and diet… so it’s required a series of adjutants but thankfully I we have figured it out and I am doing really really well. 

Per my doctors simplification, it takes time for the colon to regain its full function since it essentially got to take a year off. They said I am doing better than expected, healing takes time but I am healing exceptionally well. I am back at work and go on daily walks and am enjoying many of the foods I have missed over the last year! I still have to be careful with using my abs, and have weight lifting restrictions but I am really happy with my progress thus far and hope to continue the improvement. 

I appreciate your thoughts and prayers that I would continue to heal and improve, and for patience with the recovery (we all know this is a challenge for me).