A Year Ago Today
One year ago today I began my ostomy journey. The Ulcerative Colitis reared it's ugly head in July of 2011 which signaled the Remicade therapy was no longer effective. My doc decided hospitalization was needed for strong IV steroids and pain management. Remicade was my last resort before surgery became a must, and now we had to start shopping for a surgeon.
After a week in the hospital, my doc wanted to do one last round of Remicade just to see if it would be effective. I normally went 6 weeks between infusions and this would make 4 weeks between my last one. My leash was shortening slowly. I was released from the hospital and went straight to my doc's for Remicade. It only helped for about 10 days. It was defiantly time for a new plan.
We opted for a permanent ileostomy. Long story short (more about it in posts starting in August 2011), I now have a little opening in my abdomen to attach a bag which collects poo.
Some would see this as the end of the world as they know it. I saw it as a new beginning, a 2nd chance at life! It wasn't easy by any means, I'm still learning and adjusting but I would do it again in a heartbeat. My quality of life improved by leaps and bounds!
If you are ever faced with circumstances that threaten to alter your body or your life, do not look at it as the end; grab on to it as a chance to be better, to be more. An opportunity to live a very fulfilling life!
After a week in the hospital, my doc wanted to do one last round of Remicade just to see if it would be effective. I normally went 6 weeks between infusions and this would make 4 weeks between my last one. My leash was shortening slowly. I was released from the hospital and went straight to my doc's for Remicade. It only helped for about 10 days. It was defiantly time for a new plan.
We opted for a permanent ileostomy. Long story short (more about it in posts starting in August 2011), I now have a little opening in my abdomen to attach a bag which collects poo.
Some would see this as the end of the world as they know it. I saw it as a new beginning, a 2nd chance at life! It wasn't easy by any means, I'm still learning and adjusting but I would do it again in a heartbeat. My quality of life improved by leaps and bounds!
If you are ever faced with circumstances that threaten to alter your body or your life, do not look at it as the end; grab on to it as a chance to be better, to be more. An opportunity to live a very fulfilling life!
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