Today was the first time I have driven in over two weeks.  Let me tell you how tiring that is.  I feel so ashamed because by the time I got back and started writing this post, I have had a severe headache and really worn out.  It was a nice break for "The Hubby" because he can get an extra hour of work done before he has to go pick up "N".  We have found that right now, mornings are the best time for me to go and do things.  As the day goes on, the more exhausted I feel.

Back to recovery:

Ok so from what I can remember I think I started on a clear diet the next day after surgery.  I think I was allowed to have broth and some other things I just can't remember right now.  I still had the IV so if I wasn't getting nourished for actually eating, I was from that.  I was sipping water because you're not allowed to gulp water because it can cause severe pain and gas.  I think I was up and walking by Wednesday night.  Not very fast and very sore and tired.  I really didn't want to do much of anything.

As time progressed I was getting up a little quicker with a little less pain.  Walking farther and eating a little bit more.  With how I have to eat now, I have to eat smaller more frequent meals and with a good size list of things I can't eat for 6 weeks, it's a little daunting.  One thing I will say that I really don't like eating are eggs.  They are not exactly the best smelling when they come out.  I am no longer allowed to eat any kind of nuts unless it's a creamy peanut butter (which when you eat a PB&J sandwich, your stool gets incredibly thick).  You have to chew your food longer to make sure that it's fine enough so it can be digested easier. 

Since you don't have your colon anymore, your food gets digested quicker and you're not able to absorb the nutrients as good as before.  I now have been told to up my real salt intake (no more No Salt) to help the absorption.  I don't use a whole lot, just a little in my potato and when I cook pasta.  I have been able to eat out, which "The Hubby" likes but I don't because I don't know really how it's cooked or what's inside.  You know the whole: No pineapples, olives, broccoli, bell peppers, sweet potatoes, nuts, etc.  Basically the things I used to love to eat, I'm no longer allowed to.

But here I am two weeks later, sleeping on my right side, able to get up and down without help or waking "The Hubby", driving, walking quite a ways and yet still very tired and hungry.

I did have to change my whole appliance yesterday without anyone's help which is a good step.  It's a really cheap step as well.  Monday I had to go in to Mayo to see the Wound Care nurse and she made me do it myself.  I did it and she said that I did a really good job, later I realized that the top part of the appliance tape wasn't on right and the skin was very irritated so I went 24 hours with it and changed it.  It didn't hurt taking the appliance off but it took forever to put back on because I kept pooping.  I still don't have a good time schedule down yet. 

It won't really matter because this will be gone in either August or September and then I'll be a normal person pooping out of my butt.

If you have the FAP disorder and it's found before it has a chance to turn into cancer, have the procedure done.  If it's caught early enough then you may be eligible to have the temporary Ileostomy and the J-pouch reconstruction.  I think it's better that having cancer and then living with a bag the rest of your life.  Since mine is a temporary one, I have been told that my recovery will take longer and that by the time I feel comfortable with everything, then the bag will be taken away.

That's a really good feeling because knowing the things you can and can't do while you have a temporary one is not fun.  You can't lift over 10 lbs., can't use the right side of you body to carry things, etc.  In less that three months, I will be a normal, heavy lifting, right side carrying person.

I won't lie and say, this is the best thing that's ever happened to me and this is way easier because it's not.  It's a new way of life for the rest of you life.  It will be hard for a few months but then you will be an almost whole person again in three months.  You will get through this AND you never have to worry about colon cancer again AND you will be their for you kids and grandkids.