One Month Post-Op!

Today marks one month since my colectomy procedure, and about the second week of feeling like a "normal person". I've developed a ravenous appetite having not eaten full meals for months. I start to cook a meal, and become too impatient waiting for it to cook so I eat something else I have a craving for and then proceed to eat the dinner in addition anyway! My appetite seems to have sparked amusement in those around me. Last week my boyfriend, Devin and I went out to dinner for the first time since my procedure. I happened to glance up at one point while I was eating, a barbeque slathered rib bone hanging out of my mouth, to find him watching and giggling at me. I assumed he was laughing because I was stuffing my face with ribs (he's a vegetarian, so I can only imagine how attractive it is for him to watch his girlfriend complete the carnage that is eating a half rack of baby back ribs). Instead however, he simply said "You're eating," while continuing to laugh. "It's nice to watch you eat, you used to just have a couple of bites." This is true, which was always interesting when eating out. One time, a waitress asked me three separate times if I was sure I actually enjoyed the food as I had hardly eaten. His comment was a reminder of how instantly the surgery has allowed me to feel "well". Well enough to eat a half rack of ribs and a full plate of fries as well as drink a large mudslide and still be hungry after; I could only dream of that scenario a month ago.

As far as healing goes, it is still a process. My actions remind me of this as the days go on. I tried a full day of errands, and the lifting of groceries, and the twisting of my body getting in and out of the car many times, made me feel my stomach pulling by the end of the day. I've cheated on the "no exercise besides walking" order and gone skiing twice. For those reading this who don't know me personally, I've been skiing since I was four years old, and raced from age ten until the end of undergrad, so putting skis on my feet is like putting on a pair of sneakers and going for a run. I trust myself enough to be able to ski in a way that puts the least amount of pressure on my ab muscles (which means forcing myself to not ski well, but if that's what it takes). I also was very honest with how I was feeling, and only completed 2 or 3 runs at a time before taking a break in the lodge, and each day I went I only did about 6 runs total. So for all you nurses, doctors, moms out there, I took it very cautiously even though I am rebelling against doctor's suggestions. Ironically enough, the most pain I've felt in the surgical area is occurring today, as I'm writing this! What did I do? I played a card game... If you've played Cards Against Humanity then you know the uncontrollable laughter that ensues (especially after a couple glasses of wine). Last night I could tell that my stomach was feeling sore from the laughing, and this morning it only hurt worse! I also had a few good sneezes this morning that made me feel like I snapped something further! Luckily for me I get to see my surgeon tomorrow morning for my follow up appointment. (We'll see what he thinks about skiing!)

On a side note, I recently dug out of my jewelry box a bracelet that I had received from a friend when I graduated high school. It is the start of one of those Pandora charm bracelets, with one cute little charm on it. Since I received it, I had decided that I didn't really want to have a charm bracelet. I thought the one charm on it was simply and cute looking. But in picking it up again, I decided that after this surgery, and referring to my New Year's post, that now is a good time to start actually adding charms to it in marking accomplishments in my own life journey. So today, I went to the Pandora store and picked out a charm. They don't make charms in the form of colons (I don't understand why that wouldn't be a best seller!), so I had to come up with something a little more metaphorical. I knew I wanted something purple, which is the color of the ribbon for IBD. I also love the motto of a newer Crohn's foundation called The Crohn's Journey Foundation (http://thecrohnsjourneyfoundation.org/) "The IBD movement for compassion, health and love for your insides." The motto is represented by a picture of a heart formed by the small and large intestines, which I also enjoy. So here's my charm, with purple hearts to remind me of my procedure, where I was before, and the goals I have for myself in the future!