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
I had to edit the length of time I mentioned I would be on the antibiotics. I originally thought it was for 20 days but when I got the script it was written for 10 days! Just wanted to clarify :)
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