Recovery has been painfully slow. Considering the operation was a month ago I'm really not doing well. This infection really threw a wrench into everything and has slowed down the entire process. It's more so extreme discomfort than pain that is getting to me. There's a difference, but its just as bad as pain. I do still have extreme pain once or twice a day, but beyond that its just constant abdominal pressure. It's pushing against my ribs, my back, my bladder, you name it. It hurts to move or breath deeply or even sit up with a neutral spine. It's also very uncomfortable having drain tubes stuck inside of me and bags hanging everywhere. It's weird how I was actually doing better the day of the operation than I am now.
Last Wednesday I came in for a CT scan, which showed that the abscess currently being drained had almost dissipated, but another large collection had formed, this time on my right side. The good news; we finally know why I'm hurting so bad, the bad news; I've got another fucking abscess. My family doctor called me the next day with the report. There was the large abscess that needed to be drained, as well as multiple smaller ones that will have to dissipate on their own. The scan also showed what looked like a clot in my femoral vein. I was ordered blood thinners (more needles, yay) immediately and was told to wait to hear more about getting the abscess drained. Of course being Easter weekend, I couldn't get in until today. It was a tough weekend of just waiting in pain.
Lauren brought me in at 10am this morning, and once I saw the surgeon he said he would order the test to be done and get me a bed because I would likely be admitted. I was expecting just a quick in and out, putting in the drain only takes a half hour or so, but I guess they want to keep me for observation. I didn't take it well, I hate being in here so I was pretty grumpy all day. We had to wait in a waiting room until around 4 and of course no food or water allowed until after the procedure. As I type this it sounds petty to complain about, I've certainly endured worse, its just a straw that breaks the camel's back type of ordeal. I almost snapped this morning. More waiting, more needles, more poking and prodding, more stupid protocols......less freedom. I was also frustrated that they knew about this abscess a week ago and gave me no information on what was to do down, they certainly didn't let me know I should expect to be admitted. Nobody likes going to RUH for a simple follow up and being told you have to stay.
Anyways they put in a 2nd tube, this one hurts a lot more. As of right now I've got an ileostomy, a wide open surgical cut (under gauze, they had to take all the staples out when the abscess started leaking through), and a drainage line in either side of my abdomen. So yeah, the old midsection isn't feeling so hot right now.
That was a little ranty, but hey it's been a rough go and I figured it was a good time to update everyone. Time for the positives:
-My family and friends are amazing. Lauren has been nothing but supportive, and her resilience through all this has been inspiring. Everyone around me has gone above and beyond to do anything they can to make me comfortable, whether its running around the city to pick up random stuff for me, putting movies in the dvd player, or just giving me a back rub, everyone has been so good. I truly am fortunate to have so much support, some people go through this stuff alone and I can't even imagine what hell that would be.
-Home care has been helpful without being annoying or intrusive.
-The surgical incision over my belly button is healing very well.
-As annoying as this drain tube is, at least its just an abscess rather than a kink, blockage, or perforation, etc that would necessitate more surgery.
-My stoma/ostomy is working great.
-No more catheter or staples.
- I can go for car rides, etc without being scared of having to go to the bathroom all the time!!!
-Again, I have such a huge base of support. I don't feel like anything has been too big or too small to ask for. One big highlight has been friends taking me out for walks, or in this case wheelchair rides :)
