4th time is the charm

After much a TO DO, the [unexpected? "Bonus?""Extra Credit?"] Surgery #4 went great.

 

The intention was to: 

1. correct two “twists/blocks”

2. stabilize my internal J-pouch (the “new colon”) from moving again in the future, and

3. figure out if anything else sinister was going on...

 

Going in, the surgical team wasn’t 100% certain of what they were going to find in the depths of my intestines— they had an IDEA of what they could ascertain from the (two!) MRIs and (two!) endoscopes, but the rest would be revealed once they got inside. 

So:

1. All twists and blockages, corrected 

2. J-pouch, sewn down (to my internal fascia— in case you were curious) to avoid future twists and blocks

3. plus, they discovered a hernia (wtf ?!) which was causing another blockage of its own. They fixed the hernia (that sneaky little b*tch...). 

After it was over the incredibly dashing Dr. K came out after, and Catherine Silber would like everyone to know that he hugged her…. TWICE

They super-glued me shut, gave me a Rx for pain, and, not-so-ceremoniously told me to go home (no beds).  

+ HOSPITAL NOTES: 

The experience of this surgery at Mount Sinai versus the experiences in 2020-21? Pretty stark. 

Many things were better: 

     - getting to remain with your next of kin right up until you walked in to the surgical area. 

     - no doctors in full hazmat suits and no more being separated by shower curtains 

But it was also many less good things such as 

- busier, louder, faster 

- much more hospitals-are-a-for-profit-business VIBE

- far less humanity, beside manner and general compassion. 

I felt a little “knocked around” and emotionally pulled in several directions about how I was supposed to feel ABOUT all of this (more on that later), and though I was told by the surgical team I would be in the hospital recovering for 2 days, I was very brusquely asked to leave. 

 

Anyway, what a roller coaster but it is behind me. (Maybe? They've said that before) Once again. 

 

I'm so glad for a chance to feel better after so many months of this limbo. 

And now? sleep.