Since April we have been fighting a Colitis flare up. It takes so long because my doctor will prescribe a course of Prednisone (steroids). It starts at some dosage like 30 mg per day that then tapers down over 4 to 6 weeks. This stuff is great at stopping the inflammation but once I am off it the inflammation would come back. After the most recent round did not work she decided she needed to see what was going on, literally. This meant a colonoscopy. If you have never had one, the procedure itself is no problem. They knock you out. The problem is the day before. That is the day of the big purge to clean out the colon. That means clear liquid diet. Below is a picture of my meals that day.
In addition I had to take two doses of industrial strength laxative. One was at 6 the other was at 10. All in all not the most restful evening. Earlier that day Elizabeth had to run several errands related to the procedure. Since we were not 100% certain I would not end up in the hospital for an extended stay, I got a haircut. Normally I go to a barber shop that includes a man’s name. Jeff’s was my favorite. This time Elizabeth convinced me to try place we had seen before named Rooster’s. I had imagined it was more like a salon than a barber shop but I was very wrong. It was very much like a old fashion barber shop. The service was a bit more than I normally get but it was very nice and most enjoyable.
Today we got up and Elizabeth ate. I had nothing, not even a glass of water. I was under orders, nothing my mouth after midnight. We had all of our stuff together and about 8:20 off we went. We picked up an old neighbor first so Elizabeth would have some support. This was not my first rodeo. It fact this is the fifth time I have had this done. Mine is a little different. Two years ago I had to have a section of my colon removed. Now my digestive system ends on my left side with an Ostomy bag. That is where she has to insert the probe. When the doctor came to see Elizabeth it was good news, bad news. The good news is the Colitis has not spread farther into my colon and there does not appear to be any cancer. Every time my system gets inflamed, the chance of cancer does increase. The bad news is the area right around the opening in my side is now inflamed. So we got some additional medicine to try to treat this. This is in addition to another round of steroids. Right now she is not going to increase my Remicade does. She does not want to play that card yet. If the new medicine does not work she will try an increased Remicade does. If that does not work she will try a different drug and if that does not work they will have to remove my entire colon. That is an option we really need to avoid.
So right now I am on the couch. I have strict orders to lay low until next Wednesday. I will let my nurse take care of me. Elizabeth is wonderful at that. She works so hard to take care of me. She watches my food and researches recipes. She dogs the insurance stuff and at the center today she is the one who talked with the doctor. I was in no condition to really understand. I am so lucky and grateful to have her in my life. Thanks honey for all you do. I love you.
In addition I had to take two doses of industrial strength laxative. One was at 6 the other was at 10. All in all not the most restful evening. Earlier that day Elizabeth had to run several errands related to the procedure. Since we were not 100% certain I would not end up in the hospital for an extended stay, I got a haircut. Normally I go to a barber shop that includes a man’s name. Jeff’s was my favorite. This time Elizabeth convinced me to try place we had seen before named Rooster’s. I had imagined it was more like a salon than a barber shop but I was very wrong. It was very much like a old fashion barber shop. The service was a bit more than I normally get but it was very nice and most enjoyable.
Today we got up and Elizabeth ate. I had nothing, not even a glass of water. I was under orders, nothing my mouth after midnight. We had all of our stuff together and about 8:20 off we went. We picked up an old neighbor first so Elizabeth would have some support. This was not my first rodeo. It fact this is the fifth time I have had this done. Mine is a little different. Two years ago I had to have a section of my colon removed. Now my digestive system ends on my left side with an Ostomy bag. That is where she has to insert the probe. When the doctor came to see Elizabeth it was good news, bad news. The good news is the Colitis has not spread farther into my colon and there does not appear to be any cancer. Every time my system gets inflamed, the chance of cancer does increase. The bad news is the area right around the opening in my side is now inflamed. So we got some additional medicine to try to treat this. This is in addition to another round of steroids. Right now she is not going to increase my Remicade does. She does not want to play that card yet. If the new medicine does not work she will try an increased Remicade does. If that does not work she will try a different drug and if that does not work they will have to remove my entire colon. That is an option we really need to avoid.
So right now I am on the couch. I have strict orders to lay low until next Wednesday. I will let my nurse take care of me. Elizabeth is wonderful at that. She works so hard to take care of me. She watches my food and researches recipes. She dogs the insurance stuff and at the center today she is the one who talked with the doctor. I was in no condition to really understand. I am so lucky and grateful to have her in my life. Thanks honey for all you do. I love you.
1 Comments:
I'm so sorry to hear everything you've gone through and continue to go through. Thank God for the good report you did get as things could be a lot worse. Thank God too for Elizabeth. You really have a wonderful helpmeet there and I know she feels the same about you. God bless you both as you recover.
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