The Lewis County Herald - 1/24/23

I traveled to a couple of medical appointments last week that had been made by my surgeon several weeks ago.

During the procedure to remove my colon, and the embedded cancerous mass, the surgeon fashioned a temporary stoma to bypass the lower part of what was left of my digestive system to allow for healing to take place.

Last week’s appointments were in preparation for a surgery to reverse the stoma procedure and connect things up to return me to a more normal state.

The first appointment was at the hospital (where the first surgery took place) and was to test for leaks in the section of my system that had been bypassed. The bypass was to allow that section to heal before returning to active duty. They also took several scans of the area to provide the surgeon with a sort of roadmap.

We traveled to Lexington the night before the procedure, which had been scheduled first thing Monday morning.

There was some prep for the procedure but it wasn’t as extensive as for the earlier procedures. The section of innards they would be testing has been on the inactive list for nearly four months. Clear liquids for a couple of days and nothing solid the day before.

Tammy chose a motel across the street from the hospital but not the same one we had utilized before. The price was about the same but the earlier accommodations were more like a display room you would find in an Ikea store but with a more minimalistic touch.

The second appointment was in the surgeon’s medical facility where he gave me a brief exam and proclaimed me sufficiently ready to undergo the reversal procedure.

Tammy had some work obligations on this day and permitted me to travel to Lexington by myself with the admonishment to not piddle away the surgeon’s valuable time by sharing with him my lofty sense of humor (not her actual words).

She also strongly advised me to listen to his words and instructions carefully so I could repeat them to her verbatim, to include tone and inflection. And to not schedule the procedure on any date which could potentially create a conflict. And to ask to be his first appointment on that day.

There were some other things but my mind was busy wondering if I should just record audio of the visit like I do council meetings so I can accurately quote the participants.

The day of the appointment arrived and rain was pouring. It wasn’t an early appointment but I left with ample time to allow for the weather and a potential stop at Bud’s to pick up a few boxes of .22s.

Bud’s would conveniently be on the way, if I had plotted the proper route to the surgeon’s office in my GPS.

About 10 miles from Lexington, the clouds dissipated and sunshine prevailed. I had plenty of time to make my planned stop and still be at the medical office some 40 minutes early.

It’s a good thing I arrived early. My waiting room time was a less than two hours before I was called back.

After my exam, the surgeon recited a compendium of information reminiscent of a medication package insert packed with small print, illustrative charts, and disclaimers.

I was still regretting my decision not to record the conversation when I sat down with a scheduler to determine the best date for the procedure. She handed me a multi-page summary of what the doctor had just told me. I was greatly relieved with this newly acquired tangible conveyance I could pass along to Tammy.

The stoma and associated appliance have become more routine and I have gained proficiency in in the application and maintenance of this simple but effective device. I wonder if I will miss it.

The scheduler said she would send confirmation of my appointments – one for the surgery and one for pre-admission testing – along with detailed instructions on preparing for the procedure.

We continue to feel blessed and are thankful beyond words for the kind gestures and abundance of prayers.

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