Update on my Urethrectomy and Reconstruction

[Kara29]

I am counting all of my blessings at this point. I am on day 11 post-op.
I am eating full meals, more actually than I did before the operation. I am drinking fully. I am walking around like a good girl. I am using my breathing apparatus. I am changing and cleaning my own dressings and urostomy appiances. I am irrigating my catheters as I have been instructed to do so. My urine is nice and clear. I've been getting up around 8-9 AM and I am up until around 11pm. I've been laying in a leather couch trying to relax when I am not walking. I had a little bout of diarrhea the other day but we seem to have that under control. The only pain I am experiencing is from the tape on the dressings and some post surgical pain but tolerable. I am not taking pain medication unless I absolutley have to. Judith gave me some great tips on how to manage the tape and I am using them. So all in all today is a good day so far and it's been a pretty good week all things considered. We are going to try to make the trip back to Central New York next weekend. My post-op catheter/urostomy removal will be June 16th at 1:45 back in NYC. He will take the stoma catheter out and leave the suprapubic in and he says when I am comfortable catheterizing the stoma, I can have my local urologist remove the suprapubic catheter. It's used as a backup in case I have trouble or am slow to learn how to catheterize the stoma. But I think I will do well. It's just something new to learn. Judith has been great to help answser my questions as they arise.

Thank you all for the support you gave and continue to give me. As soon as I am back to my old self I will be there for you all again. I am in self-focus mode at the moment as I am sure you can all understand after a 9.5 hour operation.

My family including Allen wanted to thank you all for being there for us when we needed the support! It was a great help to all of us and continues to be for me.

I am updating my blog/journal daily if any of you are interested in seeing the day to day progress of this urethrectomy and reconstuction. It's at the bottom with my signature.

Love and Hugs to you all. I hope you are having as pain free a week as you can and are enjoying the nice spring weather!

:grouphug:

Kara Lynn :smile tee

[emilyrose197377]

It sounds you are getting better and I am glad. I hope you continue to get better each passing day. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

:grouphug:

[SharonA]

Kara...It makes my heart sing to hear that you are doing so well. I am doing my happy dance :dance: in your honor. :kissing:

[akrose]

Hi Kara- can you give us the name and phone. no address of your surgeon in new york, please? thanks, Aileen

[jaime15]

Kara,
It's refreshing to hear you are doing so well.......I'm so happy for you.
And thanks for the update.:grouphug:

[callie0767]

kara,
i am so glad to hear you are doing well. take care!

[Mrs. Burschman]

Yay Kara! I'm happy for you!

Amy (Mrs. B) :bunny:

[Judith56]

Kara, you are doing AMAZING well for this short a period of time. I am in awe!It seems like the urethra really was the source of most of your pain and now that it is gone, so is the pain. That is how it was for me, pretty much instant in that area. I can't tell you how happy I am for you. As for the rest of my body that's a different story! Keep up the great work in healing and you know to find me :hi:

[marsi4]

Kara, I cried tears of sadness before your reconstructive surgery and now I'M crying tears of joy. May this be the end of ic forever and a new beginning of a happy life of wellness. You are truly inspirational and have given us hope. You have struggled and fought so hard to overcome ic and I believe you have won the battle. I pray you can finally have peace of mind. Keep us posted and take it one day at a time. I know it's a difficult road to recovery but you'll get there with our support and that of your wonderful husband by your side. The worst is over and I'm so relieved that your surgery went well. I admire your strength and courage and most of all your compassionate heart to help others in the midst of your own pain and suffering. You're always in my thoughts and my heart. LOL,

Marsi4

[ICLori]

Kara, I'm so glad you are doing so well, and I hope everything continues to get better and better, and that cathing will be easy for you and no problems!

Blessings,
Lori

[Sarojini]

Kara --- so glad to hear things are going well right now!!! :grouphug: I hope the trend continues!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[dancemomof2]

Kara it is so great to hear you this happy. You so deserve to feel good. I am amazed at how well you are doing. Still praying for ya, and keep up the good work.

[Silverfern]

It's just wonderful to hear how well you're doing Kara! Keep up the good work. :kiss:

Hugs