I am a week or so away from another surgery. A planned one for a change! It has been almost three years since my first surgery and things are different this time around – I know what to expect, how the pre op appointments work, the process of a surgery and recovery but how exactly do you prepare and organise yourself for a major surgery? Here I’ll be going through step…
-
-
Pre Operative Assessments: Stoma & General Surgery – 14.03.19
I last had a pre op for major surgery back in May of 2016 ahead of my Right Hemicolectomy. Reading it back, everything is very much the same – not long before the operation is here, pre op drinks at the ready, all vitals taken and history given. What was different this time was already having a stoma. I initially thought my stoma pre op was a mistake – surely…
-
Life Lately | Endocrinology
Pesky Ovaries! I’ve mentioned before, following some investigatory blood work, my GP had referred me to a Endocrinologist for some more answers and possible treatment for my PCOS. Background: I’ve been diagnosed with PCOS – Polycystic Ovary Syndrome – since I was 16/17 when I had a very large absence of periods, as well as ‘weight gain’ and some hirsutism. This was, back then almost 15 years ago, treated with the…
-
Life Lately | The Triple
The Triple Hi there, hello, welcome. They say things come in threes right? Well, that’s definitely true for me and my health. And this year has begun to already feel like the mother of all triples. These last ten days or so have been feeling like a triple, all of it’s own. Propranolol At the end of February, I was struggling to get into work. I was becoming more symptomatic with…
-
Life Lately | Liver Biopsy
Last chance diagnostic saloon Yesterday I went in for a biopsy on my Liver. If you’ve been a reader for a while, you’ll know that I’ve been seeing a Hematologist since late 2017 and as of yet, we have yet to really pin point why my LFTs – Liver Function Tests – have continued with their trend of being very high since 2014. The transfer of my notes from my specialist liver consultant…
-
My Love for Self Care
Here comes that word “self care” again. It seems that self care has morphed into what can sometimes be seen as being selfish, spending excesses beyond your means and overextending your limits; to create a perfect excuse for ‘treating yo’ self’ to anything and everything. And while elements of those expressions do exist, caring for yourself is something we shouldn’t have to feel overwhelmed by or think negatively about. When done right,…
-
The Importance of an AUR – Appliance User Review
** Warning: this post contains details about my stoma, it’s appearance and output. If you would not like to read, please stop now ** That ‘aha!’ moment Lately, I’ve been experiencing some quite bad leaks with my stoma bag. What started off as just because I’d change my bag after two days of wear, it soon became daily and then multiple times a day. Sometimes, it would happen before I’d…
-
Why Share, Why Blog?
Living with an invisible illness is tough and most often we endure silent battles; we may look well on the outside but inside we are suffering. For some, sharing their experiences and stories is tough. I get this – it is personal, private and at times overwhelming. Wanting to share and talk takes courage and it opens you up to being more vulnerable. It opens you up to judgement and…
-
Life Lately | The ‘Final’ Step
At last, answers and a plan. I last talked – openly and frankly – about my current predicament back at the end of November; re my rectal stump. Since then, we’ve had some improvement with its produce but it’s still a massive pain in the butt; metaphorical and literal. But we have had some appointments come through and we are now at Stage Three of the process. This being; I…