Summertime!

Here I am 3 months post reversal of my ileostomy and I'm just about back to my "normal" self, well I guess its a new normal:)  My incisions are healed, just some scars (which requires a lather of SPF 55 at the beach), a fickle colon, and a new perspective.  I realize the things that are important in life; my family, Gods grace, the power of prayer, awesome friends, and a healthy lifestyle.  Then there are the things that used to seem so important, but now I laugh at myself for even getting worked up in a tizzy over them:)
Matt and I went to Jamaica in May FINALLY! It was a fabulous time of sun, sand, relaxation (except when he got super competitive with beach volleyball and ended up with two bloody knees! Ha), snorkeling, eating too much and drinking too many frozen daquraris and red stripes!! Needless to say we had a great time and I'm pretty stoked about spending a week with my family on St. George Island.  9 days till we go to be exact- Anita, you pack the shovel, Matt will bring his prized Christmas gift, the metal detector. Be prepared to see my bf walking the beach in black socks up to his knees and a thrift store find Hawaiian shirt, oh lord:)
My surgeon is moving to Isreal in July- obviously a huge move for him and his family! I am honored to have been able to work with him as a nurse and to be his patient for the last 9 months. He, and his staff, took wonderful genuine care of me, and for that I am grateful.  I am going to see my primary care doctor in the am, Dr. Costley, boy do I have lots to update him on (last time I saw him was last August). I also have a whole lot of thank you's for going with his gut when I told him about my GI issues and he referred me to a gastroenterologist.  I'm waiting on my genetic testing results (hopefully they will be back in July/August) and I continue to pray for good cea levels.
So.... Here I am 3 months post op, hugging my family tighter, loving my life, and thanking God for his many continued blessings.

Home!

I got to come home on Tuesday afternoon- colon woke up, ate some grits, and got discharged-boom:) needless to say I am thrilled to sleep in my bed, play with Lilly, snuggle with Deebo, and stand in the shower! (Matt is pretty cool too, and the couch isn't so bad either:) Once again my parents came every day to sit with me, walk the halls, help wash my hair, etc. They too are pretty fabulous! (Happy birthday to my Dad, it was yesterday, he pretty much would do anything for his girls- seriously. He says that having 4 daughters is why he has gray hair, but secretly he wouldn't have it any other way!). Megan came from NC with Isaac in tow, and all his stuff , who knew kids traveled with so much baggage?!? She wrote on my blog, sent a card everyday with my parents to make me cackle, and even caught a cold while she was here- I dig her. I am so thankful for Teresa and Anita's daily calls and texts, cards sent to the hospital that appeared a week later (Anita, you know the mail room at AMC is probably like the one on Elf), a lovely necklace that I adore, and just knowing how much y'all care about me, well, that's pretty awesome.
I read lots of stories on the Internet about the reversal surgery, pros, cons, life after a stoma, etc. I laughed when reading one about if you have a recliner, you might as well move it in to the bathroom- well I get it now. I waited 7 days for my colon to wake up and at 5 o'clock in the morning when my stomach was rumbling and it was like there was pieces of metal going through me, I realized that a recliner in the bathroom wouldn't be so bad:) but here I am, day 2 of being home, and I am eating (a low residue diet, but eating), sleeping a tad better, not hurting terribly, and getting used to this new colon:)
Thanks for the well wishes, good vibes and thoughts.  Thanks for my friends who checked on me daily , the gorgeous orchid (Liz I promise to try and keep it alive!), and most of all the continued prayers!

Day #6: Wake up Colon!

Kara is patiently waiting for her colon to wake up :)  She has been walking, talking, and resting well- sipping on clears and hopefully passing the time for this big step.   Next round: reintroducing food.  Hard to believe it's been a week!

Day #4: Red Gatorade!

Yay for "Sips of Clear Liquids!"  Today was another starting point for introducing liquids.  We used to get really fired up about getting Gatorade for basketball camp or after a hot day at the ball field.  Kara had about a cup of red gatorade and despite her feelings of hunger yesterday, she was content (or past the point of being hungry) today.  She is still receiving fluids with some extra goodies through an IV and using the pain management pump as needed.  Walking the halls, resting, and sitting in a chair- CHECK.  Baby steps continued... I feel slightly vague in description, but she can update on the nitty gritty later as she chooses.  As for now, keep praying for comfort, rest, and healing!

Day #3: Keep on- keeping on

Kara had a good day today- progression is on track.  She is looking forward to hopefully being able to taste something with flavor tomorrow.  (That is...HOPEFULLY she can sip on some sort of liquid tomorrow night.)

Brady Bunch shout-out in the title :)  Go Kara!

Day #2: I want a Sprite...

Kara described today as "ok".  She sat in a chair, did some walking, and rested a while.  She is working on some ice chips and trying to avoid the nausea/queasiness that keeps lurking.  Today she actually wanted a sprite though, so hopefully that's a good sign! Long days ahead- she is a trooper and staying positive that this challenge too shall pass...
 
Borrowing this from a friend tonight= a great thought to remember... It's often in the wait that God is working the most.

Day #1: Post Takedown

Kara had a tough day dealing with pain and nausea.  She was able to sit in a chair for a while this afternoon, but this intensified the nausea.  Her foley was removed earlier and dressing changed- all looks good at the site of the surgery.  She "ate" half an ice chip before the nausea sort of took over.  Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day. 

Please continue to pray for rest and healing.  Time to remember those baby steps again!