[CW: surgery, disturbing images]
After nearly 7 years dealing with severe Ulcerative Colitis, on November 30, 2020, I had my entire large intestine (aka, the 'colon') completely removed.
I wanted to share this news from a more processed place, with radical honesty.
The last 6 months has been an awe-inspiring *three-surgery process.* It has cured me of ulcerative colitis PERMANENTLY. Though the experience has been psychologically confrontational, horrifying, inexpressibly painful, and awe-inspiring, every aspect has felt truly miraculous. TODAY is the first day of my healthy, ostomy-free, colitis-free, flourishing life.
Here is how is went:
- PART 1 (Nov 30, 2020) — total removal of the large intestine
- PART 2 (March 1, 2021) — creation of what is called a “J POUCH” out of my small intestine, to ultimately serve the function of a “new colon”
- PART 3 (May 24, 2021) — the attachment of the J-pouch to the *traditional exit* with the only evidence being a scar. Freedom.
Science is *AMAZING.*
This procedure is extreme. My medical team and I did not make the decision lightly. Colitis can be a brutal, rabid, greedy, relentless jerk. Mine was the giant jerk-kind. And it was often—though I never ever wanted to admit it to myself or show it to the world—life-destroying.
But truth be told, it has been hell. I’ve lost a so much. I’ve also learned and grown and gained a great deal. Wisdom is earned.
Life is both.
Life is all.
I crave, and humbly ask for your shared humanity.
•
Today, I underwent my final surgery!
This was a life CHOOSING surgery, as much as a life SAVING one.
Thank you to Dr. Sergei Khaitov, my colorectal surgeon.
Mount Sinai Hospital.
Mama Silbs.
Alec.
And too many close friends to name.
I write this from my hospital recovery bed in floods of grateful tears. I did it.
Onwards with courage and integrity,
Al x
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