Saturday, January 16, 2010

No more pain!!!

Well today I have very exciting news to report! Since starting the flagyl and bactrim antibiotics I have seen a drastic change for the positive in my reported symptoms. When I started the meds I was running to the loo 10+ times a day and having accidents at night and the constant pain in my bottom. Just a few days after starting the cycle the pain was noticeably less and I was able to 'hold it' and walk to the bathroom instead of run. At first I didn't want to get my hopes up to high as this slight improvement has in the past only lasted a few days, but everyday I seemed to be feeling better! I continue with the nighttime canasa and this morning finished my last bactrim. I had to stop the flagyl a few days early due to horrible migraines lasting the whole 7 days I was on it. Migraines and the metallic taste, dizziness, insomnia and slight nausea for 7 days while trying to keep up with kids was more then I could take. After calling my GI several times she agreed that I could stop it (flagyl) and continue on with the bactrim until it was gone. I am still praying that the 7 days was long enough to get rid of the bacteria overgrowth!

Thanks to all of you (some complete strangers!) who have supported me and held my hand through all of this trial and error! I know that everyday brings new obstacles but also new joy, for everyday is a gift! Thanks for walking with me and reminding me that I am not alone. I feel that this journey is one that I would not have chosen for myself but that has challenged me and changed me in ways I could have never known. I would hope that if you find yourself in a place of uncertainty at what a colonless life could bring that you would gain a new strength and a little hope in reading my story. My life has been great, and even though I have found myself in a rough spot it is getting a lot smoother. Actually, I LOVE my life and can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!

Hey, you know that song 'my eyes don't cry no more', I'm singing it a little different today.~ "My Butt Don't Hurt NO More!!!" Yea, I know dorky! But it don't and I am so darn happy about it!  

Sarah

Thursday, January 7, 2010

One year down!

Happy Anniversary to me and my "J"!!!
One year down, a lifetime to go!!!!!

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

TMI, Not nice but necessary

How exciting~! I heard from my GI's office today on the results of my breath test! Apparently the test was positive for high levels of bad bacteria in my small intestines, yay!!! I know that sounds strange to be excited over a positive test, but we can fix! Tonight I started a 10 day, yes 10 day, cycle of flagyl (anti-fungal) and bactrim (antibiotic) and that should do it! I am happy to tears and full of hope. I can hardly remember not having pain in my bottom (j-pouch) and watery diarrhea! I think its been close to 3 years ago since I have used the loo without fear and pain. Its funny how time seems to race by and yet it seems like yesterday that I saw the mucous for the first time closely followed by blood, pain and then the dreaded diagnosis, ulcerative colitis.

Just to update you on my biopsy results, they came back as chronic proctitis and some kind of pouch deformity. Proctitis is an inflammation of the anus and the lining of the rectum (I don't have a rectum. I think for me its the area between my j-pouch and where it is connected to my anus~a few inches maybe?), affecting only the last 6 inches of the rectum.  Symptoms are ineffectual straining to empty the bowels, diarrhea, rectal bleeding (don't have that) and possible discharge, a feeling of not having adequately emptied the bowels, involuntary spasms and cramping during bowel movements (and all the time), left-sided abdominal pain (don't have that either), passage of mucus through the rectum, and anorectal pain (and add a fissure for me while we are at it!).  Yea, I know nice! I thought I got rid of all that when they removed my colon and rectum....they did take it all out, right!? So suppository city here I come! I now have added Canasa suppositories to the nightly regimen. Not to bad and I think after being on them for 5 nights now, something feels different. I can't put my finger on it exactly. I still have all of the symptoms just maybe a little less pain?  I still can't figure out what this deformity is all about. My apt with my GI isn't until March so I guess I will have to wait until them for someone to explain it to me. Hey, its only my body you know! I guess I can wait.

On to training for this 1/2 marathon in June. What in the heck was I thinking!?!

I started yoga in the a.m. and p.m. and am using the run/walk training schedule to get ready. I have a lot of time to train my body (and mind) and a ton of support so for #1 I can't back out now and #2 I will finish. Some good friends have registered to run with me and my husband and I am still trying to recruit anyone who shows interest so watch out! Really though this is a journey of accomplishments, I am excited to be healthy enough to participate!


Walk or run, maybe even wearing a diaper, I will finish this race. And when I do I will be surrounded with people who love me and have cheered me on since the beginning. ~Sarah