Ultimate Colon Cleanse: Part II, A New Frontier
The decision to remove my colon was not as difficult as you may think. Once we verified no other known causes for my GI distress existed, I was ready to go. I found the surgeon I knew was a good fit and I felt confident in the decision.
At the same time, I still have several moments a week I look at my bag in disbelief. I still question a lot about my health, but moving forward with surgery last summer is not one of them.
We had several weeks to prepare, and used the time wisely. I worked with both my PT and pelvic floor PT to get as strong as I could prior to surgery. I also met with my endocrinologist to develop a plan for post-surgery insulin strategies. While Mayo Clinic staff would technically be in charge, I wanted familiar people to provide their insight and recommendations prior to surgery. I also saw my primary care doctor to help manage the host of medications I had been prescribed throughout the year.
Beyond the medical side, I spent as much time with my family as possible. However, given how sick I was, expectations of how much I could do were lowered. I not only had colitis, but sarcoid and diabetes to manage, and was still recovering from my bout with shingles.
One important thing we did not leave out was my mental health. I spent time with my counselor working through what had already happened, and prepared a strategy to manage the mental stress of my surgery.
I think our overall approach was the right one for me. Mayo Clinic does an excellent job preparing patients for surgery, so I had regular check-ins or prompts from their smartphone app. This included nutrition tips prior to surgery, but also what to expect once we arrived at the hospital.
If you are in a similar GI situation and surgery could be a reality, here are a few suggestions:
Be an advocate for yourself and bring someone to your appointments. For me, this means doing research on a medical approach, and asking specific questions that pertain to my situation.
There were two surgical options offered; and I opted for the complete colectomy. The other option was the j-pouch surgery, which I decided against for many health factors.
Any health decision you make is the right one for you. The medical community as well as friends and family will have opinions. It’s your health and life; therefore trust yourself (I’m still working on this one).
If possible, find a surgeon or hospital center that instills confidence and aligns to your post-surgical vision.
Next up will be Part III: Cutting Time!
