Pouchogram

Today I had a Pouchogram to check if my pouch had healed or sprung any leaks!  I was really nervous about retaining the liquid in my pouch and was worried I might have an accident on my way home, but all was fine.  The radiographers were very nice and considerate of the procedure and talked me through it.  I had to lie on my left whilst a tube was inserted up my bottom.  A liquid was slowly inserted into the tube and my stoma started to bubble.  I moved onto my back and then on to my right whilst they took more images.  It wasn't painful only a little bit uncomfortable.  The X-Ray images looked incredible, the J-pouch appeared to hold all of the fluid and no obvious leaks were visible.  The radiographers however will look at all the images collected more closely and the result will take a few weeks.  Afterwards I emptied my pouch a few times and the liquid smelt strongly of aniseed.  I'm really relieved it has been done and hopefully I will get the ok for take down surgery.  


Wishing you all a Merry Christmas :) 

Sleep and Counselling...yes please.

Why oh why!! Can I not sleep?  It feels like all of a sudden I have lost the ability to switch off and fall asleep.  Some nights it takes me four hours!  Oh my days!  It's not just me either, it seems my fellow UC'ers! and Ostomates are with me on this one.  After years on the dreadful Pred, which even when you are totally exhausted make you a complete hyper insomniac.  I have acquired bad sleeping habits.  It's not because I'm not tired, I am totally depleted of any energy by 8pm.  So why can't I sleep?  I went to the doctors about this the other week and a few other things, of course.  I was given a small course of sleeping tablets to help me get back into the habit of going to bed and falling asleep quickly.  I am determined not to go back to the doctors and ask for more as I feel, surely I should be able to get to sleep naturally.  My poor body has had to cope with far too many drugs as it is. 
     One huge reason is I am traumatised by everything that has happened and often at night can't stop thinking about it all.  Why did it have to happen the way it did?  Why was I left to be in so much pain?  How could a nurse leave me sitting in my own urine on a bed pan for nearly an hour? Why? Why? Why?  
So, I did the sensible thing and asked the doctor for some counselling. It felt good to admit I needed a bit of help and I feel better having just done that.  Hopefully this will help me conquer my fears and give me some confidence back.  I am a positive girl and I turn to God's love to guide me through this.  But even with the tools I already possess it is one could say not cutting the mustard! It Is never a stupid thing to reach out and ask for help.  
    As for the sleep, tonight, I will reach for the Bach sleep remedy, lavender drops and a deep sleep meditation cd and pray for a good nights sleep.


L x

Post Op Assessment

Hello Bloggers,

I went for my post-op appointment last week which went well.  I was full of cold at the time! which is typical for this time of year.  I've had it for about two weeks, I feel a little better one day and the next I feel awful again.  I have got over the worse now and I'm feeling better.  Back to the appointment! So I got to the waiting room which was becoming more and more full by the second.  I was weighed by the healthcare assistant and then I went and sat back on my seat reading my book.  The Prof was in the hospital but late for clinic, it was running an hour behind.  I was called by another consultant who took my appointment.  She asked how I was, "full of cold" I said!  I told her about my aches and pains.  She questioned me about my weight as I had lost my pre-op month of gluttonous cake and protein supply!  Doctors always keep an eye on significant weight change, especially now I have a loop illeostomy which absorbs less.                                 

She was a very nice lady and made me feel instantly at ease.  She looked at my scar,which has healed well.  All went well and she filled the form for the x-ray department for me to have my pouchogram.  At the end of the appointment she asked me if I had any questions? Yes I said, "not in order of preference" I said, but "Can I go in a hot tub? Can I have sex? When can I go horse riding?  I know, I know, priorities people!  The answer was yes to all apart from the horse riding, which I think I will leave until the summer.  

Happy digesting people. 

L x

I knew it, Housework is bad for you!

I have had a cold for most of the week and also a nasty coldsore! which looks like a cornflake on my lip, not my finest look, that's for sure.  So yesterday, as I was starting to feel better I thought I should try and get on top of the cleaning.  I spent a few hours cleaning away and was proud of my achievement.  I then had a rest for a few hours to balance things out and then couldn't resist going out to by a Christmas tree.  Which we got home on the bus!  I know, but needs must.  It was all too much really so I spent the evening suffering with awful pelvic pain and pain up my fancy bottom!  So I have come to this conclusion:

http://www.cafemom.com

It's obvious my J-pouch does not like cleaning, so I will do my very best and give up housework!  Like that's a chore!  So my new motto is this:

Unknown

Ah...that's better :) x