"There are happy surgeries, and there are sad surgeries. This is a happy surgery," the nurse said to me in the pre-op room. Everyone was excited for me, but I was apprehensive.

First of all, the surgery brought back memories of my very invasive and sad surgery last November. And also, I was focused on the reality of adjusting to a new normal that might take a year to regulate. 

We waited a while in the pre-op room, and I was finally wheeled to the operating room about one hour later than scheduled. The surgery took two hours with Dr. M's part being only 30 minutes. He loosened my abdominal wall so he could rejoin the small intestine and tuck it back inside. Then, he sewed up my abdominal muscle. However, at the stoma skin site, he did a purse-string stitch, partially closing the hole, but leaving it open for drainage. This will allow any bacteria to escape before the skin closes on its own. 

My bowels are very slowly adjusting while I still experience pain from the surgery, so it's been a tough few days. The bidet Stephen installed in our bathroom has quickly become my best friend. Applesauce and bananas are the main foods I can tolerate well, but I'm hesitant to try much else.

I'm grateful for the chance to try for a normal-ish lifestyle, and that the surgery was successful. It will just take patience.