I had 3 appointments today in order to get ready for my surgery.
First, was a visit to my colorectal surgeon. He could still feel my tumor, but it has shrunk. He said he could see the scarring from where it had been. We are going ahead with the plan for a robotic LAR with temporary loop ileostomy. He said I should be in the hospital for about 3 days, and is going to write me out of work for a month.
Second, was pre-anesthesia testing at the hospital. All the usual things, no need for detail
Third, was the ostomy nurse. She spent an hour talking to me about ileostomies and showing me the various types of pouches. She even had me practice emptying a pouch. I am now marked for the ileostomy, and also for a colostomy if the need should arise once my surgeon gets in there.
It's hard to believe it is almost here. It seems like just yesterday I was waking up in the recovery room after my colonoscopy and being shown those 4 lovely color photos of my tumor.