Doctor's Visit

Saw Dr. Launer today and i'm in the clear...he wants to see me back in a year. Found it odd that he only looked at my stoma, felt my belly and said I was good to go. I thought he was going to check my pouch with a scope at least. I feel that I'm doing great and I've learned to read my body pretty well so I'll take it as a good sign that I have no issues to be concerned with. I am clear to start working out...can't wait to get my body toned and strong again. Got my tattoo done today which is perfect because it's the day I was cleared and my tattoo has everything to do with my freedom from all of this. The purple ribbon represents Chrons/Colits and the wings are new beginnings/change. I am fortunate to be alive...I am fortunate to have had 2 major intestinal surgeries in my life to be a success. 19 yrs with my Jpouch....I hope for the Kpouch to last the rest of my life. IT'S A GREAT DAY! :)

New Things

Tried out a new catheter yesterday...the Marlen...I liked the way it went in so effortlessly, but I'm still not sure about it's ability. I'm going to keep giving it a try for the next week and see. I switched back to my old one just to compare this morning and the Medena definitely has a harder time going in. If the Marlen rounded head means longer sustainability for my valve then I will definitely be switching over. I want this sucker to last me the rest of my life....no more surgeries!

Woke up this morning with a crappy cold sore :( I really hate those things. I guess my body is telling me it has become run down...that's usually when I get one. Figures it would be the week before I return to work. Maybe I'm stressing and don't even know it. Whatever it is I need to let it run its course. I'm seeing Dr. Launer tomorrow...I hope he releases me to start working out. I really want to run the half marathon for Team Challenge this year in July.

Good Times

Well the past few days have been going really well. I'm learning to adapt to situations and I'm not letting this get in the way. Last night I went out to this fantastic club called Voyeur with some friends and we had a blast. I'm feeling so much better being out and leading a normal life. Now I know I can do this...I really never thought I couldn't, but I'm adapting so well that I feel like the sky is the limit. Going to enjoy the beautiful sun today.

rainy thurs

it's still raining today...day 4 of this....much needed, but causing some major devistation. i picked up my boys from school yesterday and the short walk to the car they were drenched from head to toe. fortunately i'm still on leave and haven't had to drive in this much. ok so i now know that if i eat avocado's it has to be a minimal amount...i paid for it all afternoon and night...not worth it! hopefully i can get back on track today. i did learn something new which i thought was odd, but hey it works. if i tighten my stomach muscles it helps move things thru the catheter..not always, but most of the time it does...weird.

6 hrs...wow!

Another rainy day...and so far I have made 6 hrs since last night. Yesterday wasn't so easy, but I knew I would eventually and the night was the best time since the bowels tend to relax and sleep. The test was this morning and whether i could make it till noon...well it's noon and I made it...woohoo!!! gotta keep the momentum going. Aside from that I had my eye exam yesterday and my perscription increased slightly in the right eye so not bad. Got new glasses and even had sun glasses made. Hope we don't float away today with all this rain :)

New things to learn

It's really interesting to learn how this pouch works....the signs of trouble....knowing when the pouch is full. I haven't quite figured it out, but I'm starting to. I'm noticing when I nearing full my gauze gets really wet and the pouch starts throbbing. This happens primarily when it's really loose. Tonight i've had to empty early twice, both times it came pouring out. testing out immodium to see if it will help. I would prefer to not deal with a case of diahrea...yuk!. I'm hoping as time goes on I will learn to read my pouch even more. The major concern is not damaging the valve, especially while the pouch is in training. So I'm a little off track, but all in all I'm doing pretty good. I start 6 hrs tomorrow...crossing my fingers for an easy transition. Don't need this hicup tonight, but I'll get thru it.

1st beer

Had a couple beers with a friend from school tonight...I wasn't sure how I would do and surprisingly I didn't have any issues....woohoo!! I'm trying new things every day and hoping for the best. I wonder if not having the stress of work has anything to do with me feeling so good. Who knows, but I'm just excited I am on the right track and I'm able to go out and do things without a problem.