Late night thoughts

I've been having a very busy last few weeks. My days are pretty long with classes, doing homework and trying to find time to work out. Also I have a ton of tests coming up within the next few weeks. I have to get up early tomorrow but I am sitting here thinking about all the things I've been through the past two years. Just about less than a month ago, exactly two years ago was the first time I started getting my horrible UC symptoms. Little did I know, it was going to change my life forever. Today I was actually very happy and felt a sense of pride that I only have gotten a few times while having this disease. A lady in one of my nursing classes went out of her way to come up to me and say "I'm so thankful to know you. You are so inspiring and strong." Not only was it a bit random for the day, but I had never really had anyone approach me like that before. And I actually was so happy about it. I've said since day 1 after my surgery that I was going to do what I could to share my experiences and help others who go through what I do. The other week I was blessed to have to chance to go in front of my lecture in one of my nursing classes and talk about IBD, my surgeries and how I live my life with it. I also taught a few of my peers in the lab how to change Ostomy appliances and how to take care of it. Even the teachers were asking me questions because some of them weren't totally familiar with everything the disease involves. I'm so happy that I decided to go into this journey with an open mind and willing to do something like share such personal, emotional stories and experiences I've had. Sometimes i catch myself smiling during the middle of a bad day because I think that even though I'm in a pretty unfortunate situation, it's so bittersweet and honestly, I don't think I would change what I've been through or my situation if I was given the option. 

February is coming soon and I'm very anxious for it because my pre-surgery appointment is at the end of the month! 

Here's my healed tummy 1 month out of surgery number 2! Feeling great and back to normal again. You can't even see my larger incision scar because it is a lot lower than where my pants sit! Yay! 

-- JKL

2015

Its almost been 4 weeks since my surgery! Things are pretty much back to normal for me. I officially stopped taking my meds about 2 weeks ago (right after New Years) and I don't have any pain anymore. My scar is healing just great, except for the fact that its still swollen and numb around the incision area. All my other scars were all just too small to really hurt.

2015 has been… interesting so far to say the least.

Well, waking up New Years day, I had double pink eye for a few days on top of still having lingering pain from my surgery. I started school back up on January 12th, and jumped right into my Nursing classes. We already learned all the basics in lab including vital sign information, how to perform a complete bed bath for a patient who is in a coma, and how to change the linens of an occupied bed. Next week in one of my classes, on topic we are covering is bowel elimination and GUESS IS WHO GUEST SPEAKING?!?! -- Yes, I volunteered to show everyone my ostomy, share my story, and answer any questions anyone has. I might as well show and help my fellow nursing students learn about something that they might eventually encounter. 

Me in my North Park scrubs!

Unfortunately, my skin has been severely irritated since my surgery. I have had a bad skin irritation under my skin adhesive that hurts at times. I've been using the stoma powder to ease the irritation and I also was prescribed a medicated powder. I went last week for my post-op appointment at the U of Chicago Hospital again. The nurses and doctors kept telling me how much they were impressed with how my healing has been going and they were all very excited for me to begin nursing. 

I also today just applied to be a camp counselor for the Camp Oasis for children with Crohn's and Colitis that will be in August located in Wisconsin. I hope I eventually get a call back for an interview so I can be around other people who relate to me and so I can help the children who suffer from the same struggles as I do. 

My view from the nursing floor at NPU

First weekend back at school

AND THE COUNTDOWN BEINGS….

LESS THAN 2 MONTHS UNTIL IM OSTOMY FREE AND JPOUCH LIVIN…!

March 6th here I come.

-- JKL