I saw my wonderful surgeon today and am done! My granuloma is gone; there's no more drainage. I will always be at higher risk for a small bowel obstruction just because I've had abdominal surgery; same with abdominal incision hernias. So, I'm supposed to take continuous nausea, vomiting, pain, and particularly the lack of bowel movements or gas very seriously. I'm also not supposed to lift anything more than 15-20 lbs, namely anything that would cause strain, which would cause an incision hernia (along where I have a diastasis recti and two hernias already.) Still, otherwise, I am good to go. And I can bathe and swim! I've decreased my painkillers, down to just Tylenol with Codeine. And I go see my physiatrist (pain doctor) tomorrow about PT to start to strengthen my core. She said I could call her if I had questions or any of the above.
And I presented her with a pretty purple-y "Sunset Stripes" large Granny Square afghan, as a thank you for all of her care. She was impressed that I had made it and grateful. We talked a little about my plans, even hospice chaplaincy, and she was kind to say she thought I'd be good at it.
So an experience that started on a very low note in an emergency room eight weeks ago, in many ways officially ended today on a high note. Sure, the healing isn't over, but it's a new phase. And at least today (bored as I am most days, and still limited in many things), I'm optimistic.
