Better Than I Deserve

"Great news. The biopsies are essentially normal and it appears that your IBD is in remission. On the scope I thought the rectum was mildly inflamed, but the biopsies are normal (which is good). You should definitely continue the Remicade/MTX & the plan for surgery with Dr. Steele."

I didn’t know if I would ever hear that phrase again. “It appears your IBD is in remission”. Truly a blessing and so many answered prayers in one sentence. So much excitement and joy in one sentence! The trip to Cleveland was a success for many reasons. Starting with a “successful” colonoscopy that showed the new medication and diverting loop ileostomy has been working extremely well. Katy and I got to celebrate this wonderful news and her birthday in Cleveland as we stayed the night Monday. We got to go out to lunch and dinner for the first time in many months and enjoy each other’s company. We got to celebrate an incredibly difficult but rewarding year of life.

“When do you want to do the reversal?”

That is the question my surgeon entered the room with for my appointment on Tuesday. At this time, I was still very uncertain and not confident in what the next steps would be. The clean colonoscopy doesn’t guarantee that a reversal will be successful or that it is the appropriate next step. I still had a million questions for the surgeon about what would be best for me. After all, I just had the healthiest 3 months of the last 3 years of my life with my ostomy and I wasn’t sure if I was ready to take a risk and try again. I had regained normal daily life again because of the ostomy and now I’d have an uncertain future again. After discussing all of my concerns, my surgeon very confidently said he would recommend that we move forward with the reversal. He is confident it will be successful, and if it isn’t, he will be able to get me back into surgery within a couple days of my symptoms coming back. This all but guarantees I will never be as sick as I was this summer. With this reassurance we scheduled my reversal surgery. October 19th. Less than two week and I will be bag free! This is extremely exciting and encouraging. It is also uncertain and carries risks. I have less than two weeks to get in the best physical shape I can to hopefully recover as quickly as possible. It is another abdomen surgery which means no bending, lifting, or twisting for at least 6 weeks after the surgery. Another recovery period that will hopefully be as successful as the first one!

This starts a new chapter in my IBD story. Even though it is in remission currently, things can change quickly especially with a reversal. I will continue to share my progress, struggles, and successes in fighting this disease!

Avery got to spend time with Grandma and Grandpa and absolutely loved it!

I want to thank every single person that has prayed for me during this time. I truly believe that God has been working through this experience and my understanding of his grace and provision has grown from this. Even with my ostomy, I’m better than I deserve. I can only pray that the reversal is successful and I’ll be even better than I deserve again.

With love,

Andy