{this is how i waste my time}

Pre-surgery letter

An email sent to friends, family, and others I kinda, sorta know through the Innertubes:

“Everyone-

I’m sending this mass email to everyone that’s been involved with, or asked questions about, my adventures in the land of colorectal surgery.  It’s hard to believe it’s been six months already since the first surgery.  I feel great, however, and am excited to continue on.

Tomorrow morning at approximately 7:00am I will go under the knife for stage two (and possibly three) of the j-pouch creation process.  The first scenario is that I come out in basically the same shape I am right now.  My new pouch will heal for three months and then the final surgery will allow me to begin using it.  The second scenario is I’ll be done with surgery and begin the slow, but final recovery process.  The surgeon will make the decision on just how much to do once he has me open.

My hospital stay will be a minimum of 3-5 days, with a possibility of being there up to three weeks (should any complications arise).  Obviously the stay will be longer if stage three is also completed.  If anyone wants to contact me during this time, you can call or text me at 440-570-6928.  My only request is that you hold off on calls until Friday and visits until Saturday.  You’re more than welcome to try sooner, but I guarantee I won’t even remember talking to you.

As for recovery, I could be back to work in three weeks.  If both stages are completed it will be 4-6 weeks.  To get a point where everything is functioning at full strength will take about a year.

As much as I have downplayed the surgery, it is, in fact, a rather serious operation.  I ask that you please keep me in your thoughts, prayers, etc. tomorrow.  Everyone’s support over the past six months has been invaluable during the healing process.  I appreciate your sympathy, words of encouragement, questions about the surgeries, and all of the other many, little things everyone has done to help.

Thanks again and wish me luck!”