In a Barbie world…

The technical name for what Mr B did is a “total proctocolectomy” where he removed my colon, rectum, and anus, yep all of it! No wonder I feel like I’ve been hit by a bus!

Throughout all of our appointments we have been encouraged to ask lots of questions, which we have. I’ve asked some, hubby has asked some and we have both felt fully informed every step of the way.

The night we left the hospital with the details of what Mr B was going to do, we went to the pub. Dr’s orders. Sober October was disregarded and a number of large pinot grigios thrown down my neck. It dawned on me that something would happen to my botty… So I emailed my Macmillan nurse, who was online at the time, and asked “what happens to my bum, does it get sewn up?”

“yes” was the immediate reply.

Oh my!

One of my heroes shortly after told me it is commonly referred to as a “Barbie butt” as useful as…

We’re pretty open about the journey we are on, and am sure someone may have that question and may not want to ask. So yes, that’s what happened.

Today, 13 days on, I had the 9 sutures removed. Ouch. Ouch. Ouch. Thank goodness for taking my pills and a cheeky swig of morphine first. And thank goodness for a husband with strong hands and a strong stomach who helped me get through it.

It bloody hurt! But it’s over now and I feel a lot more comfortable.

I was lucky that the lovely nurse on my ward offered me to come back to her to have it done as opposed to an unknown nurse come to my home. She was keen all medical procedures stayed in the walls of the hospital as this would aid with my mental recovery. Plus I knew her, and she’d checked it a number of times, so would be easier having a familiar face helping out with this.

Massive love for the NHS staff right now, who every step of the way have thought about this journey from “our” point of view.

I’m sure there are more questions out there, and I think we’re pretty open to answering them, if it means it helps someone else I’m more than happy to share!