So I don't have Crohns, I don't have any intestinal disorder, in fact, and yet my life revolves around the four walls of a bathroom. Why you ask? My life completely changed on June 4, 2013 when my gynecologist requested to perform a vaginal ultrasound for some occasional spotting I had been experiencing due to stress. The technician that performed the ultrasound was rough, really rough, at one point the instrument outright hurt and I screamed. After leaving the appointment feeling completely violated I started to experience heavy cramping and a fever. By June 10 I was in the hospital with a 104 fever and a Bartholin's gland cyst. My gynecologist decided to perform a procedure called a marsupialization. After the surgery I continued to have issues but my gyno just kept putting a bandaid on the problem and prescribing me antibiotic after antibiotic. I was experiencing pain in my perianal area, persistent low grade fever, and felt downright crummy with no explanation why. I started keeping a food diary, went to 17 different doctors, was prescribed medicine after medicine until FINALLY I had a colonoscopy in February 2014. The weekend before my colonoscopy I developed a huge purple bump near my bum. Since I was already scheduled for the procedure the doctor decided to drain this newly formed abscess and investigate. Low and behold, I had a fistula. By March, I had found a world reknown surgeon/specialist (Dr. Floriano Marchetti if you're wondering) in Miami and was scheduled for exploratory surgery and possible seton placement.
My first surgery was April 18 and 4 fistulas were found! Two which were rectovaginal, right through my Bartholin's gland where my gyno had operated. She had allowed the sepsis to spread by not treating it until it formed a semi-horseshoe around my bum. I thought that was the end of it.. until... two weeks after the seton placement another abscess appeared finally forming a complete horseshoe. My second surgery was May 9th and by far the most pain I had ever been in my life. I had giant drainage tubes plus setons everywhere. I looked like something out of Dr. Frankenstein's laboratory. Real sexy. After the large drainage tubes were removed in June I was left with the setons, and although annoying I could live with it. I was trying to look at the light at the end of the tunnel. I had no IBD, no Crohns, no ulcerative colitis. I would go through this and be healed. Finally, last week I embarked on the last step of the journey and on Oct. 8th had a Bio-Lift procedure. I must say I was pleasantly surprised at the lack of pain after the procedure. I was walking and happy two days out. Fast forward to today, and I'm defeated. As I proceed to wipe after peeing there is was staring at me in the face. Stool. My enemy. My surgeon had been optimistic, so much so that he recorded the procedure (with my permission) and is as we speak presenting it to a conference room full of colorectal surgeons in Kuwait. He did warn me though of the possibility of it failing. If it did there was the possibility I would need a temporary colostomy bag to help the fistulas finally heal without the threat of bacteria running through them. I have been crying for 6 hours straight now. I emailed my surgeon and have yet to hear back as of yet, but needless to say I know my body and have become an expert in the field now. To add insult to injury, upon my return home from the surgery I found a letter from my insurance company denying coverage for the procedure. So yea... I may not know the struggles of dealing with Crohns as you all, but this support group speaks true to my life. I don't know where else to find people who understand me.
My first surgery was April 18 and 4 fistulas were found! Two which were rectovaginal, right through my Bartholin's gland where my gyno had operated. She had allowed the sepsis to spread by not treating it until it formed a semi-horseshoe around my bum. I thought that was the end of it.. until... two weeks after the seton placement another abscess appeared finally forming a complete horseshoe. My second surgery was May 9th and by far the most pain I had ever been in my life. I had giant drainage tubes plus setons everywhere. I looked like something out of Dr. Frankenstein's laboratory. Real sexy. After the large drainage tubes were removed in June I was left with the setons, and although annoying I could live with it. I was trying to look at the light at the end of the tunnel. I had no IBD, no Crohns, no ulcerative colitis. I would go through this and be healed. Finally, last week I embarked on the last step of the journey and on Oct. 8th had a Bio-Lift procedure. I must say I was pleasantly surprised at the lack of pain after the procedure. I was walking and happy two days out. Fast forward to today, and I'm defeated. As I proceed to wipe after peeing there is was staring at me in the face. Stool. My enemy. My surgeon had been optimistic, so much so that he recorded the procedure (with my permission) and is as we speak presenting it to a conference room full of colorectal surgeons in Kuwait. He did warn me though of the possibility of it failing. If it did there was the possibility I would need a temporary colostomy bag to help the fistulas finally heal without the threat of bacteria running through them. I have been crying for 6 hours straight now. I emailed my surgeon and have yet to hear back as of yet, but needless to say I know my body and have become an expert in the field now. To add insult to injury, upon my return home from the surgery I found a letter from my insurance company denying coverage for the procedure. So yea... I may not know the struggles of dealing with Crohns as you all, but this support group speaks true to my life. I don't know where else to find people who understand me.
