The New Normal; Follow-up Colonoscopy; Las Vegas & COVID; Notable Events

It’s 650(!) days ATN. I was recently reminded that it’s been roughly six months since I last did an update, and that I should post something so that you all know I’m still alive. At least for those of you who haven’t seen me in person – the last half year has seen three trips… Continue reading The New Normal; Follow-up Colonoscopy; Las Vegas & COVID; Notable Events

The Slow Road To Recovery; Daruma-san Gets His Second Eye

It’s 461days ATN and 61days since the surgery to reverse the ileostomy. I know I know it’s been a long time since the last post. Some of you have been wondering if I’m alive. A couple times I’ve been tempted to reply, “No. Do you have any burning questions about the afterlife? It’s not all… Continue reading The Slow Road To Recovery; Daruma-san Gets His Second Eye

Still Kicking

It’s 413 days ATN and 13 days since the surgery to reverse the ileostomy. Still Kicking This is just a quick update to let you all know that I’m still alive. For the most part anyway. The ileostomy reversal is a fairly simple procedure compared to the rectal resection a few months ago. We initially… Continue reading Still Kicking

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Reconnecting the Plumbing

It’s 400(!) days ATN and 92 days since the surgery that removed the tumor. Reconnecting the Plumbing The ileostomy reversal is TOMORROW! By some coincidence it’ll be exactly three months from the surgery date that created the ileostomy. The expectation was that I’d have the ileostomy for 6-8 weeks. I have a sneaking suspicion my… Continue reading Reconnecting the Plumbing

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365 Days; Cancer Free?!; …but not quite journey’s end

It’s 365 days ATN, 58 days since surgery, and 52 days since being deemed CANCER-FREE. It’s hard to believe a YEAR has gone by! As a radiologist commented earlier in the week, “You’ve had quite a year!” Diagnostics. Chemo. Chemo-radiation. Surgery. We’re in the home stretch of the journey but still not quite done. It’s… Continue reading 365 Days; Cancer Free?!; …but not quite journey’s end

Everybody Poops – But Not In The Same Way (Life With an Ostomy)

It’s 329 days ATN and 20 days into Life With an Ostomy. It’s also my 21st birthday! (That’s 21b26. At some point you just start adjusting the base. For those of you not so mathematically inclined the Earth loops around the sun roughly 53 times in that time.) Many years ago I couldn’t imagine being… Continue reading Everybody Poops – But Not In The Same Way (Life With an Ostomy)

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Preparing for Surgery; Surgery Day: Day 0; The Day After: Day 1; The Day After The Day After: Day 2; Discharge Day! Day 3

It’s 314 ATN and two days since the hospital staff decided they’d had enough of my company and allowed JT to take me home. So much has happened in the last week, yet so much of it seems like it was in another world. It’s sort of like going on an exotic trip and returning… Continue reading Preparing for Surgery; Surgery Day: Day 0; The Day After: Day 1; The Day After The Day After: Day 2; Discharge Day! Day 3

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