Recovery

Stairs and the fear of them proved to be extremely unfounded. Within hours of returning home, I was going up and down them without pain. This was a huge relief. Other movements like sitting upright, sitting down, bending over, picking things up, etc. came easily. Not bad for having a 7-inch incision running up my middle and hanging a right around the bellybutton. When I moved here, I joined Meadow Mill Health Club. I think abdominal work is a big factor in a rather easy recovery.

I got word via Jules (with permission from my surgeon) that the pathology results have come back negative for the cancer beyond the area removed by the surgery. We are hoping an appointment on Tuesday will deliver definitive answers to these questions:

• Does “negative” mean this is over but for the healing up and ileostomy reversal?
• Is it too early to set a date for the reversal procedure?
• How long does the procedure take? Is this an outpatient procedure? How long will recovery take?
• Can I drive now that I’m off the meds and in no pain?
• How much can I lift without danger? Does this amount increase by the week?
• When will travel for work be possible?

I’m not going to detail my life with a temporary ileostomy bag, but I will answer any questions anyone has. My two cents so far is that it’ll pretty manageable, although I’m waiting for some sort of highly-public and gross bag malfunction event to occur. In the short jaunts out, all has been well.* Like other things I’ve talked about, those curious for visuals can Google.

BTW, if you wanna some fun reading, Google “phantom rectum”. Why this phrase hasn’t yet been taken by a Florida grindcore band is a mystery to me. Best medical term/band name since Dry Socket.

A few days ago I stopped taking the oxycodone when I realized that it was only making me foggy and tired. I’d stockpiled New Yorkers, but couldn’t make it through a Shouts and Murmurs piece without losing interest. The ouchy moments are short and fleeting, mostly when expanding my library of post-surgery movements with classics like Picking Up Pen Fallen Under Table and Catching Fridge Door With Toe Before It Closes.

So how am I spending my recovery days? I’m taking walks, watching The Wire, reading, light housework, futzing about, as well as taking care of insurance/short-term disability business, which is like a part-time job. There’s one more week of this before I’m back to work. I’ve been monitoring work email and fighting the urge to jump in. Stupid work ethic.

*Shortly after writing a draft of this, I had a semi-public event occur without a comedic factor. Lessons: don’t experiment with bag types; find one you in trust and go with it.