Today I'll start the preparation process for my colon surgery. Surgery is scheduled for 8:00am tomorrow morning, April 25th. For the past several weeks since my surgery date was set I have tried to understand what I'm feeling towards this latest discovery. Overall I'm accepting of the need for the surgery. A colonoscopy in February found cancer. A subsequent CT scan and yet another colonoscopy showed no evidence of cancer in my other organs.
I met my surgeon who reviewed the prior colonoscopy and decided to do another to make his own assessment. At that time I was optimistic that this surgery would be performed laproscopically. The second colonoscopy resulted in the removal of another polyp, and unfortunately the decision was made to make it an Open Surgery. I would undergo major surgery for the third time in four years.
There would be a pre-assessment visit to the local hospital where blood would be drawn, an EKG performed, height weight and other vital bits and pieces of medical necessities would be taken. I would meet with the pharmacist to discuss what medications I was currently taking (B12 once a month, Vitamin D 1000u daily and Crestor daily). Finally I would meet with the nurse to discuss my medical history. The administrivia of patient care revealed that I've had some 10 procedures in four years that have had me under anaesthesia of one sort or another.
During the past weeks since my cancer was discovered, my coworkers, friends and family expressed their concerns and offered their support. I have good people in my life, and the most important lesson I have learned along the way is that you can't do it alone. The usual question I'm asked was "How do I feel?". "Tired." would be my usual answer. I'm tired of Cancer, I'm tired of worrying and tired of being cold! I just want a peaceful spring, and to be warm. Surgery will resolve the cancer and the time off will let me rest.
However my immediate needs are for another bowel preparation. I'm tired of *that* too! I've had three such treatments in as many months. This latest product is called "Purg-Odan" and you take a little sachet with a glass of water a couple of times and it "gently" moves thing along. It's not a difficult process, it's really not that uncomfortable, but you're committed once you start!
It's 7:00PM and I've just taken the second packet of Purg-Odan. Water, Gatorade, more water, the occasional black coffee, and of course Jello. I'm bloated but 'this too shall pass". With surgery scheduled for the early morning, I need to be at the hospital for 6:00AM. I won't be able to drink anything after midnight, and it will likely be a couple of days before I can even drink water after surgery. This is the last opportunity I'll have to drink, and I'm making the most of it. Keeping hydrated is key to the process.
Watching TV to pass the time, I note how many commercials are food related. Earlier in the process this was annoying but five hours later I'm not hungry, just tired. Three beverage glasses sit on the table beside me, and I sample from them at regular intervals. I'm so full of liquid right now, but the process is nearly finished. A few more hours and I can sleep. I'm tired already but probably won't sleep well. The old fear of sleeping in and being late for my appointment has me setting two alarms.
Evening is almost over, my purge process appears spent. I'm tired and cold. Tomorrow's weather hints at a wet, cool and gray day. On that gray morning my journey will continue once more, and I will endure so that my future will be bright.
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