Suzy McHale’s Diary: 2009
Events of note this year: My second rectal prolapse surgery in May (mostly successful this time). Chris and Michele’s second Doberman dog was euthanized.
January
Wednesday 7/1
Mum has to have a colonoscopy tomorrow, so she has to endure the torturous purging today (3 liters of that solution which was surely invented by a sadist!). This is Mum’s second one (last was in 2006). I had to drink that stuff twice last year, and I would rather fast for a week!
It’s 4 weeks since my operation and I feel much better, but still have the prolapsing whatever-it-is. I go to the specialist in 2 weeks so will have to wait for his verdict (*sigh*).
Michele and Chris’s Doberman dog, Sarah, had to be put down last month as she developed the same condition in a knee joint that Sasha had in 2007 (a torn anterior cruciate ligament). She was a larger dog and required an expensive ($3000) operation to repair it, but they didn’t have the money. She was only 5 years old. She was their second Doberman (the first developed some genetic digestive disorder and was also euthanized) – if they ever get another dog, just get one from the pound!
~ Ended 12:53 p.m.
Tuesday 20/1
Tomorrow I see Dr. Sitzler for the verdict on my operation, and this prolapse or whatever-it-is I still have. I am both anticipating and dreading the appointment – 6 weeks have passed since I had the operation.
Mum’s purging went OK (better than the last time, and better than my experiences last year!) and the colonoscopy showed no abnormalities.
Michele came to visit us, by herself from Queensland, last Tuesday and left Saturday. She spent 2 nights away visiting 2 friends, and stayed the last night. I have to admit my first impression was, my goodness she has put on some weight! She is quite stout – I am around 60 kg, so she must be closer to 70. I guess having 4 children does not help (another reason I don’t want to have any!) but perhaps she “comfort-eats” a bit, too! Mum said Michele will have to be careful she doesn’t get Type-2 diabetes (what Mum has) as there is some history on Mum’s side (one of Gran’s brothers had Type-1 and died of it as there was no insulin treatment then). I will have to watch my weight too! Exercise and a reasonably healthy diet are usually enough to stave it off.
We went for a drive up to Mt. Dandenong on Friday morning, following the old route we used during family outings in the 1970s and 1980s. There is a lot more housing development, unfortunately, though once we got into the mountain road it was not too different. I found the drive a bit tedious though. We went to the East Boundary pub for dinner; the food was nice – though the servings were enormous (double a normal serving) – and expensive! At around $20 each the meal came to over $100.
~ Ended 5:45 p.m.
Wednesday 21/1
Not very good news: I have to go back to hospital for more surgery, as there is a little bit of prolapse still protruding near the end – it wasn’t all pulled up – though it was otherwise successful. The surgery is not as severe as the first (through the rectum this time, I think). Dr. Sitzler said I could do a liquid fast and have an enema rather than do that awful purge. The operation will be under general anesthetic again. So more waiting until I can get into hospital, though I should not have to stay as long. At least I know better what to expect this time.