Sunday, January 20, 2008

Say What?

Ok, so I know that some of you may not be up on all the "colon lingo", I sure wasn't before I had this experience. So here is the very simplistic readers digest version of how things work. A total colectomy is having your entire colon removed. I will then have an ileostomy which means the doctor will take the ileum (last section of my small intestine) and bring it to the surface of the skin. An ostomy is the opening in the skin that the surgeon creates, a stoma is the end of the ileum itself. A small bag called a pouch is attached to the ostomy which catches the "grossness" (yes, that's a technical term) and which I will have to empty a few times a day. Most people get colostomy confused with ileostomy, a colostomy is different in that the opening comes from the colon, not the ileum. You can do virtually anything with an ileostomy that you could do before, swim, work, dance, play sports, travel, have kids. And supposedly the ostomy is virtually unnoticeable, even when wearing fitted clothing, we will have to see about that though.

When people find out that I am going to have an ileostomy they view it as the worst thing that could ever happen to someone, they rush around trying to find last minute cures, which I appreciate because I know they love me. However, an ileostomy is for sure not the worst thing in the world, living the way I have been living this past year has got to be worse, and that's what people don't understand. They only see the happy Sarah with no cares in the world, they don't see the Sarah that is going to the bathroom 30 times a day, who has no energy, can't eat because of the pain, and can't take care of her family because she is so sick. Although an ileostomy seems extreme, and I have no doubt that it will be an adjustment and hard times lay ahead, I also know that I will regain control of my life which is all I really want.

4 comments:

Debbi said...

Sarah, you are so right, I love seeing the happy Sarah, and I had no idea how much you have really struggled!(I am such a bad friend!!!) I hope that this helps bring happy Sarah back all the time for good! It has to have been such a hard decision and you are so brave! Our prayers will be with you all week, you are so strong!

If you and Todd have prayed about it, and I'm sure that you have, and feel it is the best thing for you and your family, then it has to be the right thing for you to do. I know that we don't always understand why Heavenly Father gives us these crazy challenges, but we have them and can get through them with faith. I really hope it brings you closer to having that baby you have wanted!

I also am very glad that you posted all this information, it really has been very educational, I didn't know what all your terms meant, I hope a lot of people use your site and find it helpful when they are facing the same decision!

Franko said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
The Halls said...

sarah i just found your site.I has no idea, you are so strong emotionally i can't even imagine! all our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family

Anne-Marie said...

Good Luck!! I wish you well and please please please call if we can do ANYTHING to help you out!