Yesterday, I received the call I've been waiting months for, my surgery date has been confirmed. To tell you I cried is an understatement, I sobbed with happiness. After years of being prisoner to my IBD, From 5th May, I'll be able to take back some control.
The Story So Far
To recap, I started showing symptoms at 19, but I was misdiagnosed as having IBS until I was 21. After blood tests and a colonoscopy I was told I actually have Ulcerative Colitis, one of the forms of IBD. I've been on a host of medications and flared on and off since. At 24 I started the battle to speak to a surgeon about other options to treat the Colitis and finally saw him when I was 27 years old. It was agreed I'd have a Loop-Ileostomy but unfortunately, the flare ups are still occurring, I'm still in pain and I still need high doses of steroids. After an appointment in September 2021 it was decided the colon was coming out, something I actually wanted in the beginning. I wrote about what the surgery entails here.
What Happens Now
Stitch becomes a semi-permanent feature and I go on to heal and live my life with a stoma. There will be big decisions to make again over the next decade but for now, I will be in surgery on the 5th and starting my 30's on the 11th.
I will post updates on here once able but follow me on Instagram at @HannahMarieBrankley for more.
As always, thanks for reading...
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