Just an update. We have our appointment with Fazio set up for this Thursday. The day I came home from the hospital I had a few more bleeding episodes. Since then though, things have been back to normal even with a normal diet. So I am completely lost as to what could have caused the bleeding. I am back at work today, though definitely not 100%. I also noticed that I feel a little woozy which I hadnt felt at home at all. Work does wonderful things to a person it seems.

Thanks everyone for the concern. Hopefully Thursday will shed some more light on the situation.

Mike S

Good Luck on Thursday Mike, and I hope he has some easy answers for you.

janna

Hi Mike!
I have had the bleeding you describe.The antiflamatories had created 22 small peptic ulcers! 21 was ok. But number 22 made me bleed! Check for ulcers up top somewhere.Hang in there. At my appointment this morning, Cathy(wife) snapped at the fellow and he was shaking. He should be she is a second dan in Hapkido. Cathy was nervous and felt better releasing her frusration with everything. It has been 30 years foe me, UC, Chrons, and 21 years for Cathy as my concerned wife! She is my best medicine!
Arthut

Mike how did things go at your appointment yesterday?

Thanks for asking. Just now able to get online at the hotel (dont leave for home until Sunday). Things went great. Dr. Fazio said that I had apparently ruptured an area where the staple line was. He said it was not totally uncommon and may happen again. He said it looked to be healing well and that if it happened again, just to leave the catheter in for awhile instead of constantly irritating the area. He also said my recent forray back into working out may have exaccerbated the situation. So I am supposed to hold off on any workouts involving the abdominals for another year. Yikes! Anyway, its no big worry he said, so that is great news.

Mike S

I'm happy to hear that it was nothing serious Mike.

janna

Mike
How long did it take for him to figure that out? What a relief!!!!

Just so you know....I'm a year out now and ONLY now am I able to do abs (even gently) without a hint of discomfort due to the surgery. Just stick to cardio for now, at least it's something.

That IS a huge relief! What great news!!!!

kathy

Wow! Just a staple..way cool. About laying off the abs for a year. There is something going around about squeezing your butt and abs while driving to stay toned! Maybe this will work? We are all pretty good at squeezing! Meds kicking in and I'm happy. Good Luck to you! Arthur

Hi Mike,

I am just sooooo relieved for you!

I do feel sorry that you can't do any ab excersises for another year but on the other hand you don't want a repeat performance of this last little bump do you? How about swimming instead, it's much kinder to the body and will still keep you "gently" in trim.

Good luck

Shell

Mike that's really good news. I'm with Shell - get in the pool!

Thanks for all the thoughts, prayers and well wishes.

It took Fazio only a few minutes within scoping to determine what the problem had been. He definitely knows what he is doing.

Unfortunately swimming is out for awhile. Seems I still have an open wound from where the anal area was sewn shut (well mostly anyway). Unless I want to risk infection there, he said it was wise to avoid the pool or spa until it was closed. I can do light jogging he said, so hopefully I can just train to run another marathon.

Mike S

What great news! I'm sure that you were thinking much worse things based on what you described (I sure would have been!). I hope you are planning something fun and relaxing for the next few weeks to celebrate!

Oh my goodness, I totally missed this post. I am so happy to hear Dr. Fazio found the problem. Scopes and x-rays are definitely needed for this type of situation.

I would have wondered if you had punctured a hole in your pouch with the catheter.

Take it easy, it takes a long time for the behind to heal when the rectum is removed, usually one year.

I know I haven't been on here in a long time but I popped in and saw your post. So sorry that you seem to never catch a break.
Dr Fazio is "the man" though so at least you can rest assured that you have a good answer to your problem. My husband was also quick to start working out again after his surgeries. Give it time...not worth screwing up all that hard work. You'll have plenty of time to worry about your body when things get back to "normal"
As far as your poor wife goes....my heart goes out to her. I understand completely where she's coming from. I can't seem to handle the littlest thing now when Tom gets sick. My mind just goes back to all the bad stuff he went through and I get overly nervous. You should invite her on the site to find out as much as she can so she can help you and help herself. I wouldn't have made it through without the support of the people here...

Hope things will go smooth for you from here on out!!

BTW....Tom is doing good other than frequency and a little pouchitis and has now developed what my daughter refers to as a "muffin top" (occurs when your belly hangs over your pants)Ha ha! I never thought I would see the day!

Best of luck to you and your wife!

Judy