The first one was to remove a cancerous tumor and I had two areas that were resected (one was at the sigmoid and the other was removal of ileocecal valve and appendix ovary etc) so two resections. About 10 days after that initial surgery, I was still hospitalized and feeling very sick. It didn’t get better and my drain was producing fecal material so they opened me back up and there was a leak at theresected site (the one at the ileocecal area) Two months later I developed a small bowel obstruction and it wouldn’t clear so they removed a portion of small bowel. Unbeknownst to any of us, my small bowel was possibly knickers and I developed an enterocutaneous fistula. They couldn’t fix it surgically because I was not strong enough for another procedure so we just waited to see if the bowel would heal. Ultimately it didn’t and the fistula broke loose and perforated my colon. I had emergency surgery and a fourth resection. I developed sepsis and also had a small leak so I was put in full bowel rest for 12 weeks (five of those weeks in the hospital)

I am definitely an unusual case and had lots of set backs. But the only thing that I also good things that happened. I never had to have a colostomy and I am now doing really well. I haven’t had any LARS symptoms and I’m able to eat what I normally was (I eat a lot of fruits and vegetables and a somewhat high fiber diet). I feel like because I have ulcerative colitis, my colon probably was already inflamed. At the time, I felt overwhelmed with everything that went on, but I do feel like it all happened the way it had to. I do still have bloating and I don’t think that will ever go away but compared to a lot of people, my struggle is minimal

Hang in there, everyday it does get better. Don't measure your situation by projecting what has not happened, yet, or what occurred in different circumstances to others. They don't necessarily apply to your own situation or progress. One thing that did seem to help is that I forced myself to walk around the house every few minutes and returned to easy activities. It raised my expectations and diverted my suffering. Baby steps, like doing the smallest of tasks i.e., emptying the dishwasher even if it takes you twice the time as before. Four or five months from now you will be doing things you can't do right now, and you will feel empowered as you improve.