The next step towards getting my colostomy reversed was to get a Barium enema. The doctor wants to see if I have enough tissue to reconnect. Is so, then I can have surgery to reverse the colostomy. This part really started yesterday, when I had to drink all that disqusting GoLytely stuff. It seemed like it was a gallon of it, and it tasted nasty. I was wondering if I could have put some Tang in it to make it taste better, but I didn’t have any so it didn’t matter. I just finally told myself that it was Alka Seltzer Cold Plus and chugged a glass every ten minutes like they told me to.
After a little while, it started to work. This where it got fun. I had to figure out a way to hold the end of the bag while I took the clip off, and only had one little mishap. And for those of you who have a colostomy and are going through the process to get a reversal, if you do have to have a prep, there is a little while there that it just goes and goes and goes. I had to take a chair into the bathroom so I could sit at the toilet and just let ‘er run.
I finally got all the prep done. We got up early this morning and went over the the radiology department of the hospital. The doctor had told me and my orders stated that I was to have an “air controlled barium enema in rectum and stoma”, but when I got in there, they decided to use gastrografen instead. That was a good thing, because they could use less of it, and it would be less of a problem to clean up afterwards.
I had to get completely undressed and put on two hospital gowns, one on opening in the front, and one on opening in the back, so I was fully covered. Then, up on the stainless steel table that was so cold! But, the lab tech brought me a warmed blanket and that was awesome. Then the fun began. I have to say, I cried like a little girl, tears and boo hooing and all, because that rectal thing hurt so bad. The radiologist said, “Well, you haven’t used that in two and a half years, so it’s going to hurt.” Yeah, but they could have been a little more gentle, and used a bit more KY. That was one of the most painful lab tests I have had done ever, and I hope I don’t have to do it again soon.
When they finished, they put an adult diaper on me, and just so you know, I was glad they did. I did not want to have that stuff all over me to clean up later. Next, they went for the stoma. I was expecting it to hurt like the dickens as well, but it did not hurt at all. I didn’t even feel it. The assistant had to stand next to me and hold the cone in my stoma while they moved the table and the x-ray machine, but we got it all done. I asked the radiologist if I had any guts left, and he laughed and said, “You have plenty. Enjoy your surgery.”
The next appointment is on December 22, with the gastroenterologist, to discuss the surgery options I have. That will hopefully mean that I can have the reversal done, and that it will be done at Emory Hospital, just like the surgeon told me. We’ll see.
Would you go through all of this voluntarily to have surgery to reverse a colostomy if you had one?
geogypsy2u says
So glad that part’s over for you. Crossing fingers that the surgery is a go.
travelinterry says
Karen,
Most definitely go for it!!!! It’s time for you to get your life back, and you will be in my (and many others, I’m sure) thoughts and prayers on your journey through this. May the option decisions for your surgery be made soon and scheduled ASAP and your recovery rapid. I hope you can feel the positives heading your way! Hugs!!
YellowTennessee says
I have no idea if I would want to go through this or not. But I would guess that I would. I’m just glad you are able to get this all started and I hope you get back to ‘normal’ soon.
Sandy Cain says
Oh my gosh, Karen! All this stuff looks so scary to me! That machine alone is enough to make me sweat, just looking at it! You have a lot of courage. I get nervous even just going for a mammogram!