Most recent note from Facebook.

Ok, I had to write this in a note, too much to say....First of all, I want to say how flippin happy I am that today is over!!! whew!! Had to check in to Providence Hospital at 945am today, Warren drove me, and we got there at 943am...what perfect timing!! The test I had to have was called "gastrograph enema, with a CT scan". The gastrograph involved having a probe up my rectum and having barium put up there and pictures taken...ok sounds easy enough, right?? WRONG!! It really sucked.....For one, it really hurt to have a probe put there, I was told that because I haven't had much through that orifice (outwards) for several months (because everything goes into my ileostomy bag), it becomes more sensitive there. (sorry for the graphics, but I"m a nurse so I'm used to graphics!) lol. I'm trying to tame it down some tho. :) Ok, so then the barium goes up into my jpouch, which isn't too bad, but then it goes all the way up my small intestine to my ileostomy bag. And talk about abdominal cramping!! YIKES!! It hurt so bad I could hardly talk or move, then the doctor was asking me questions, and having me move all around. I was so glad to get done with that part. The was the worst, so the CT scan was piece of cake. So then, Warren treated me to my first coffee of the day. I had a hazelnut mocha latte and 2 chocolate chocolate chip cookies. Considering that was my first drink and meal of the day, it was so yummy!! Then we headed out of Providence , and hit the freeway to travel across Portland to Dr. Whitefords office (my colorectal surgeon). It was great, he had already received the report, and had access to all the pictures from this morning. It was the best scenario he could of hoped for. It appears that my Jpouch had absolutely no leaks, and there was absolutely no sign of my vaginal fistula on neither my enema pictures or the CT scan. He did the CT scan with no contrast so that if any had leaked into my abdomen from the enema thing, then he'd see it on the CT scan, but it again confirmed that there was no sign of leaks. However he did see the ovarian cyst, and it did pretty muich fill up that whole area against my uterus and jpouch and intestine. He said the plan is to have me consult with the gynecologist/oncologist first, then they will coordinate surgery schedules and she will do her part first. (he told me the reason for the gynecologist/ONCOLOGIST is because they are used to doing complicated surgeries, so to be sure she would be comfortable and qualified to do it, he wanted to refer me to her) ((good thing he said that, because when he first said oncologist, I freaked a bit inside! lol)) She will remove my uterus, right ovary and cyst, and then he will take a look and if all looks perfect, he will do the takedown surgery, which involves totally re-connecting my intestine to the new Jpouch, and close up the ileostomy hole. :) The only concern he has is that with having the uterus and cyst removed, it could be a small risk of it causing damage to the intestine or jpouch and causing another fistula. He wants to be 100% sure that all looks good before he does the takedown surgery. Its a very good chance that all will go well, but he did have to tell me of the concern so that if by chance I woke up with the bag still , then thats why, and I was informed of the possibility. Then we'd have to wait and end up having a second surgery any ways, but the goal is to do it all at the same time. And i think with good thoughts, and prayers (and a bit of luck) it will be accomplished that way!!! :) He has already talked to the gyn/oncology doctor and she has already reviewed my case and is agreeable to it all, so next I have to await the referral from my insurance and to hear from someone to schedule appt with her. I can't remember her name right now, but I guess she is the new big talk of the town right now...comes very highly recommended. So, now I will wait to hear when I can go meet with her...and then go from there. Dr Whiteford asked what I have planned for this fall...I guess its surgery?!? i"m scared and excited all at the same time!! :) But so far, so good!!