Guts

Well, my GI doctor has finally said surgery is more of a chance than not now. We both feel that I am inexorably moving towards it. My flare ups are just happening more frequently and despite whatever medications I am on (Pentasa, Remicade, Prednisone).

Of course the main concern is that I only have 220cm of small bowel left. When a person reaches less than 200cm of small bowel they have crossed the line into having a short bowel syndrome, then also crossing the line into being on total parenatal nutrition (TPN) for the rest of your "life". (remember how he said this would make me a "nutritional cripple"?) Chances are you will be seeing more pictures like this before the summer is out:


But as my GI doctor and I were talking and thinking out loud he said, "You know you keep having this flare in the same spot. It's not really like this spot is doing you any good right now. From the images it looks to be only about 5cm. So if we did cut it out you probably wouldn't even notice a decrease in your quality of life afterward any way." This is a veiled way of saying we hope I wouldn't have to be on TPN after this surgery. Hope.

This was nice to hear. I felt much more at peace with this probable eventuality. I mean, something could go crazy and this flare up could go away and not come back but we both doubt that is what is going to happen. We will give it the chance one more time though, just in case.

We talk again Tuesday. I will tell him the surgeon I have picked so that I might consult with him, rather than forcing him to see me in an emergent setting. Get a good game plan and a relationship started ahead of time.

There you have it. You know as much as I do. (but I haven't blogged about the endocrinologist and my testosterone. that is a wwwwhhhooolllleee other medical story. ugh) My diet is still primarily liquids. I can have bites of what is considered "low residue" foods, and I have to admit to kind of pushing that lately.

Again, thank you all for your prayers and thoughts and considerations. I've signed up for the half marathon in December in Las Vegas to benefit the Crohns Foundation of America. (my goal is under 1:45) I've applied for a job that I am very favored for, though the timing of this surgery could throw a big wrench into it.... My jiu jitsu is getting better each time I roll. It has been decided I am going to Brazil next year to train for a few weeks and do the International Masters and Seniors World Championships. There are good things going on in life and rough things going on in life.

But I am still alive!!! And fighting!!!