Last week I was referred to the surgeon based on my MRI results. The MRI showed that my disease wasn’t actually causing me the daily problems I have been having. The symptoms I have been suffering from for the past month or 2 are caused by strictures left behind after my last big flare up. These strictures are basically scars which have developed from the inflammation that the Crohn’s disease has caused as well as the perforation i suffered due to the large build up of food.
All these things added left me with some serious strictures which have been causing a lot of discomfort and pain as food tries to pass by them. Food quite often gets stuck and causes a minor blockage which is never a nice experience. Fortunately I was able to control the pains and discomforts by drinking plenty of fluid which help to soften the food and a careful diet mostly consisting of a low residue foods.
These strictures mean that my consultant has temporarily stopped my Infliximab infusions as they are not particularly benefitting me. The strictures cannot be fixed by medication; the only option is to whip them out. When I say “whip them out” I mean keyhole surgery to remove approximately 2 feet of bowel, so it’s less whipping out and more cutting, snipping, pulling and stitching.
The theory is that with the strictures removed, my bowel should be a little clearer and a bit smoother so less food should get stuck. After that the Crohn’s Disease itself should be manageable using medication. Hopefully this means that the symptoms will calm down and the Crohn’s will remain at bay. Surgery is not a cure, but in some circumstances it can give some well needed relief and that is what I’m really aiming for.
The surgical procedure will be approx 2 hours long with around a week’s stay in hospital. Then it will be about 4 weeks of taking it easy while the bowel fully heals. Supposedly I can eat and drink as normal pretty soon after, which I personally think is optimistic and pretty scary taking in to account the fact that my bowel will have been snipped and reconnected. But hey ho, these people are the experts and I have to trust them.
There are quite a few YouTube clips showing Bowel Resection Surgery and if you are interested you should take a look. If you are squeamish or having this surgery yourself, then it may be worth giving it a miss. I thought it was incredible. I find it so hard to believe they can do all this by keyhole methods. My consultant has posted 2 YouTube clips showing typical recovery times and I found these very useful. So you should definitely spare 15 minutes to watch these as they are very informative.
I am a little bit scared about the surgery as it couldturn into a major operation, especially if the keyhole proves too difficult and they decide to open me up properly. Im worried that I may not see any difference after the surgery. But after all the fears and worry, I believe I am getting closer to remission. I am getting closer to a life where my Crohn’s Disease is under control and stays away from my normal everyday life.
I am taking part in the Leics & Rutland Walk for NACC in the morning. You can still donate using http://www.justgiving.com/ben-rutter
Thank you to those who have already donated. I will post some photos up of the day soon.
Love to you all x