Ultimate Colon Cleanse Part IV: Recovery

Recovery is a tricky subject. After almost a year living with my stoma, I am physically recovered however the mental side is something I’m still working on. I do get frustrated when people tell me, “my Aunt Mildred has a bag, it’s no big deal!”

It’s not about the bag.

What it’s about is the fact that a bag is not a cure. Much like insulin is not a cure for my diabetes, the bag has enabled me to continue living, however I’m still sick.

And that’s hard.

Removing my colon stopped 30+ bathroom trips a day. It allowed me to go for a walk without needing to map out bathroom stops and stopped me from feeling dehydrated every day.

But it’s not a cure.

I’m okay showing my bag and I’m not embarrassed by it at the public pool or beach. I don’t mind the stares or whispers. I hope people see someone working hard to live a fulfilling and adventurous life. But it’s not my job to convince them.

In addition to managing bag changes that come with a lot of skin irritation and planning for when I run or ride and the bag falls off from sweat, I still have to manage my diabetes, colitis, and sarcoidosis.

It’s exhausting.

My motivation is to be a fun loving husband and father, but there are days I still struggle from life with multiple chronic illnesses.

I don’t remember much from my 7 day hospital stay post surgery. However, I do recall waking up and seeing my stomach. I remember thinking the bag was my new best friend, the one that will be with me forever.

One of the many reasons we decided to have the surgery at Mayo was their active recovery approach to major surgeries. I was up and walking the night of my surgery and run/walking within two weeks. One month after surgery I was mountain biking easy trails close to home.

The approach worked for me both physically and mentally. The best advice I’ve ever received was from my surgeon. When I asked him how long it would be before I could run after surgery, he said, “I do not believe in arbitrary recovery data. Your body will tell you when it’s ready.”

These days I try to listen a little closer to my body and hear to what it has to say.