Full circle

Last week was my annual check up. Things didn't go according to plan. The few days that lead up to my check up had been stressful. This had obviously started the remainnig colitus in my stump to flare up. I suspected that the endcospy would be uncomfortable, however, I hadnt expected this level of discomfort this quickly. The specialist realised that the pain was disproportionate to the procedure and decided to stop.

For those who have never had the proceedure an Endoscopy is where a camera is inserted to check the inside of your bowels and take biopsys of inflammed areas. I am sure any good google or Bing or wikipedia search will be able to do a far better job of explaining it than I can.

What these searches may not tell you is that as you lay on your side facing all the equipment. you also have the pleasure of facing the same screen that the surgeon sees when inserting the camera. I again have the pleasure of seeing parts of the inside of my body. A luxury that you never get bored with ;) Seeing this confirmed why the pain had been so intense, my stump was inflamed ulcerated and very very sore!

I felt bad that I had to cancel the procedure and also annoyed that I would have to go through this all over again.

Anyway enough of my medical history on to the real topic. Before the procedure as I am now becoming almost on first name basis wit the specialist and endoscopy nurses I mentioned this blog and the charity work that I have recently been involved in. The nurse mentioned that after the procedure she would try and introduce me to Karen the bowel cancer nurse who is also involoved in raising awareness. As I sat in the recovery room annoyed, frustrated and a bit emotional,  Karen arrived.

It took us both a few seconds to recognise each other but Karen was the nurse all those years ago that was there the day I was told I had Cancer. That day is still a blur. I'll be honest all I recall is laughing. A weird reaction right?

We chatted for a while. It was as I discussed 2013 with her and the planned activities for 2014 that I once again realised how much I have achieved. It was perfect timing after tge failed procedure and possible UC flare up. Its these reflections that drive me. 2014 is shaping up to be epic. Parliament next week, more OCR events and some interesting conversations with my stoma bag suppliers ; )

The past shapes who we are today, but right now WE have the ability to shape our future.