The pain and soreness has subsided massively in the last few days. My trips to the toilet are becoming more regular although last evening was uncomfortable for a while feeling like I urgently needed the toilet constantly over a period of about 3 hours. I liken this phase to getting into a rowing boat, initially its unstable and feels like it'll capsize but once you start to row the boat becomes more stable and controllable. Whilst in hospital the colorectal nurse explained the need to relearn control of my bowels and that it would take a little time. That said I am amazed at how good I generally feel, I have to remind myself not to pick up anything heavier than kettle, a handy excuse for doing nothing but relaxing.
I am currently trying on all the clothes that I couldn't wear with my 'bag', its like discovering a new wardrobe! Although I seem to have put on frightening amount of weight in the last 18 months I can still squeeze into my jeans so I won't need to go through the "are you sure the size is right on these ?" conversation.
My GP has signed me off sick for a month from today which essentially means I won't return to work, later this week we will ceremonially dispose of 30 years of accumulated tee shirts, shirts, trousers, socks, belts and associated work detritus.
Thursday 31 January 2013
Monday 28 January 2013
Conventional toilet habits
Wiping your bottom! What's that about?
Stella picked me up from hospital on Saturday, which was nice as it was Martha's birthday so I could join in the celebration. Writing this today (Monday) I almost feel back to normal the pain from the operation has subsided considerably, I am , however, using paracetamol and ibuprofen fairly liberally but I genuinely feel more comfortable than I thought I would. I went the get the surgical wound redressed today and that looks fine if a little puckered, I'm to go back to the local surgery on Friday to have it checked again and was told to look out for signs of infection although it looks and feels fine. I 'm going to be left with a reasonably impressive dueling scar when all is healed.
The night after the operation I experienced unbelievably uncomfortable wind which kept me up most the night my consultant asked about it when I saw him the next day telling me it is common after a reversal and akin to a baby getting gripe. That passed and slowly my 'movements' have been returning to the more conventional, relearning something that you have done for the best part of 50 years is harder than I thought but even that seems to be improving rapidly.
As an aside I had a shower this morning, my first in 18 months where I didn't have to 'project plan' the whole process with regard to removing and replacing the colostomy bag. I felt at quite a loss with the extra time I had!
Stella and I have got to get away when this is all finished.
Stella picked me up from hospital on Saturday, which was nice as it was Martha's birthday so I could join in the celebration. Writing this today (Monday) I almost feel back to normal the pain from the operation has subsided considerably, I am , however, using paracetamol and ibuprofen fairly liberally but I genuinely feel more comfortable than I thought I would. I went the get the surgical wound redressed today and that looks fine if a little puckered, I'm to go back to the local surgery on Friday to have it checked again and was told to look out for signs of infection although it looks and feels fine. I 'm going to be left with a reasonably impressive dueling scar when all is healed.
The night after the operation I experienced unbelievably uncomfortable wind which kept me up most the night my consultant asked about it when I saw him the next day telling me it is common after a reversal and akin to a baby getting gripe. That passed and slowly my 'movements' have been returning to the more conventional, relearning something that you have done for the best part of 50 years is harder than I thought but even that seems to be improving rapidly.
As an aside I had a shower this morning, my first in 18 months where I didn't have to 'project plan' the whole process with regard to removing and replacing the colostomy bag. I felt at quite a loss with the extra time I had!
Stella and I have got to get away when this is all finished.
Thursday 24 January 2013
Looking good!
Wednesday 23 January 2013
The Longest Day (written by Stella)
I started writing a very long, boring account of our day but to cut a long story short....John's op took place at about 5pm this afternoon. All went well. When I phoned the ward at 8.15pm I was told he was up on the ward and was feeling nauseous. I sent my love. Nothing more I could do. Thank God it's all over. Over and out. Stella
Sunday 20 January 2013
Last day 1
This week saw the last time I will wear this uniform, gloves optional. I will be in hospital this week, weather permitting, and will probably be sick until my actual last duty day. It all seems like it rushing up on me and Stella now, some tidying up administration to do this Monday and Tuesday and hospital early Wednesday morning.
Friday 11 January 2013
New Year rush
Received written confirmation of my pre-op date and the operation date yesterday, 16th and 23rd January respectively, in the words of Will Smith and Martin Lawrence "This shit just got real!". Although in truth it's been real for quite some time.
What with the operation, three birthdays coming up and imminent retirement this part of the year, generally a quiet time, seems manic at the moment. We have also decided to buy the lease car I have had for the past 3 years, it has proved to be all the family car we need, although we still have a hankering for another old VW bus (we've had two)I think that is just the 'Hippy' in both of us.
We are becoming quite the theatre goers, we have booked tickets to see Much ado about nothing at the Old Vic for later in the year. This is significant because I have held off making commitments too far into the future, I think this is a sign of my renewed optimism.
What with the operation, three birthdays coming up and imminent retirement this part of the year, generally a quiet time, seems manic at the moment. We have also decided to buy the lease car I have had for the past 3 years, it has proved to be all the family car we need, although we still have a hankering for another old VW bus (we've had two)I think that is just the 'Hippy' in both of us.
We are becoming quite the theatre goers, we have booked tickets to see Much ado about nothing at the Old Vic for later in the year. This is significant because I have held off making commitments too far into the future, I think this is a sign of my renewed optimism.
Sunday 6 January 2013
Twelfth night
53 today, Martha's card from last year can be 'recycled' today. had a relatively quiet day today most of the kids visited, went for a walk in Knole Park with Hannah, Mark, baby Sophie and our 3 youngest.
Christmas has been a busy period for the Day household we have visited, been visited, went to the pantomime and I took Gabriel to his first adult comedy night at our local theatre, the Stag. I actually did get out on my mountain bike before the end of 2012, twice! I went further each time and did more off road riding than I thought I would be up to.
Stella treated me to a meal at Joe Allens and we went to see Simon Callow in his one man rendition of a Christmas Carol for my birthday. It was a brilliant evening, prior to collecting our tickets from the box office we found ourselves behind Simon. Stella asked him to sign a programme which he obligingly did, top bloke!
But Simon where were the songs?! (Muppet's Christmas carol reference).
Generally I feel more healthy daily, the numbness in my fingers and feet also seems to be subsiding although I still struggle with shirt buttons and picking small items up from a flat surface, not end of the world stuff but irritating just the same. I am going to give some blood tomorrow for the research programme I mentioned earlier, I was advised not to do it before the Christmas break (the sample may be left and deteriorate in the break) by the research team at the oncology centre.
We met up with my surgeon on the 27th December, I signed the consent form for the reversal surgery and it looks as though I will be going in on the 23rd January, just in time to recover and retire from the Fire Brigade.
Stella treated me to a meal at Joe Allens and we went to see Simon Callow in his one man rendition of a Christmas Carol for my birthday. It was a brilliant evening, prior to collecting our tickets from the box office we found ourselves behind Simon. Stella asked him to sign a programme which he obligingly did, top bloke!
But Simon where were the songs?! (Muppet's Christmas carol reference).
Generally I feel more healthy daily, the numbness in my fingers and feet also seems to be subsiding although I still struggle with shirt buttons and picking small items up from a flat surface, not end of the world stuff but irritating just the same. I am going to give some blood tomorrow for the research programme I mentioned earlier, I was advised not to do it before the Christmas break (the sample may be left and deteriorate in the break) by the research team at the oncology centre.
We met up with my surgeon on the 27th December, I signed the consent form for the reversal surgery and it looks as though I will be going in on the 23rd January, just in time to recover and retire from the Fire Brigade.
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