On Monday, August 4, 2014, I will be going into Banner Good Samaritan Hospital to have major surgery. This has been a long time coming. First of all I want you to know I do not have cancer. And for that I am extremely grateful. But let me take a moment to tell you how I arrived here.
I have struggled with intestinal issues from my early teens. I have had many polyps throughout my life. Finally in 1998 I had to have my colon removed. The surgeon made a pouch out of my small intestine and hooked that up so I could go to the bathroom as normal, just 10-15 times per day. That worked well for the next 15 1/2 years. That is, until I went on my second trip to India.
Half way through that trip this past January, my internal pouch stopped working properly. Instead of going to the bathroom 10-15 times per day, I had to go every 20 minutes to an hour. I thought it would get better but it didn't. Now 7 months later I have to have all that previous work removed and have an ileostomy installed. That is an external bag. If you are unfamiliar with what I'm referring to just Google "Ileostomy" and you will get a pretty good idea what I will be dealing with the rest of my life.
I want to thank you for praying for me. It will be a very painful surgery and I will not only be recovering physically but I will be learning to deal with life with an ostomy bag. The good news is this will free me from being tethered to a bathroom.
I will have the freedom to do things I have not been able to do for the past 16 years. I will be able to go fishing with my dad. I will be able to sleep on an airplane. I will be able to go to the villages in India without having to worry about bathroom facilities. I will be able to go hunting.
These are all things I currently cannot do.
Thank you again for all your prayers. I should be healed up and on my feet in time for my daughter's wedding in late September. I was fearful that I would have to leave during the ceremony to go find a bathroom. I will be able to stay through the service and bawl my eyes out.
Let me know if you have any questions. I am more than happy to answer them. Not much embarrasses me anymore. Oh, and no, it has nothing to do with my diet. This is a genetic problem I have been dealing with for almost 40 years now.
I have struggled with intestinal issues from my early teens. I have had many polyps throughout my life. Finally in 1998 I had to have my colon removed. The surgeon made a pouch out of my small intestine and hooked that up so I could go to the bathroom as normal, just 10-15 times per day. That worked well for the next 15 1/2 years. That is, until I went on my second trip to India.
Half way through that trip this past January, my internal pouch stopped working properly. Instead of going to the bathroom 10-15 times per day, I had to go every 20 minutes to an hour. I thought it would get better but it didn't. Now 7 months later I have to have all that previous work removed and have an ileostomy installed. That is an external bag. If you are unfamiliar with what I'm referring to just Google "Ileostomy" and you will get a pretty good idea what I will be dealing with the rest of my life.
I want to thank you for praying for me. It will be a very painful surgery and I will not only be recovering physically but I will be learning to deal with life with an ostomy bag. The good news is this will free me from being tethered to a bathroom.
I will have the freedom to do things I have not been able to do for the past 16 years. I will be able to go fishing with my dad. I will be able to sleep on an airplane. I will be able to go to the villages in India without having to worry about bathroom facilities. I will be able to go hunting.
These are all things I currently cannot do.
Thank you again for all your prayers. I should be healed up and on my feet in time for my daughter's wedding in late September. I was fearful that I would have to leave during the ceremony to go find a bathroom. I will be able to stay through the service and bawl my eyes out.
Let me know if you have any questions. I am more than happy to answer them. Not much embarrasses me anymore. Oh, and no, it has nothing to do with my diet. This is a genetic problem I have been dealing with for almost 40 years now.
Hi Pastor Brian, I am so sorry you are going through all of this but am happy you will have some sort of relief from the past several years. The Tafoya Clan will be praying for you through all of this and are here if you need anything at all.
ReplyDeleteBrian, what a long road you've had with this and a long road ahead. Praise God for the knowledge He has given us that these kinds of things can be done. I am praying for your surgery and recovery!
ReplyDeleteWe will definitely be praying for you bro. Will you be recovering at the hospital for a while or going straight home? We love you bro, and hope to see you soon.
ReplyDeleteI should be in the hospital 4-6 days recovering. I will probably have my abdomen cut open from my rib cage to my groin so it will take me a few days to get back on my feet again. Thank you for your prayer. Love you both.
DeleteYou will definitely be in my prayers Brian! It's been quite a journey for you but there is always the positive that God brings to light, like enjoying life's precious moments.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear about your trouble. We will be praying for a good recovery.
ReplyDeleteYou're in our prayers, Brian.
ReplyDeleteYou are an example to us in victory over self-pity. It is an honor to read of your challenges, an honor to pray for you as you continue to impact people, an honor to have a common family heritage.
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to a time when you, Dad, and I can go fishing together. It will not improve my fishing skills, but I will treasure the time with the three of us.
DeletePraying for successful surgery and quick recovery Pastor Brian! <3
ReplyDeleteBrian I just read your blog...because you know my issues with Crohn's I can sort of relate to you....and while this will probably not be the most fun thing you have ever done, I am so thankful that you are finding positive things about this. I know how hard that can be sometimes when our health kicks us in the butt...no pun intended.... :).... I will be praying for you, and if you are ok with it, I would love to come and visit while you are in hospital. You and some of the church family came to visit me and prayed for me while I was in the hospital while I was dealing with my ordeal with Crohn's...Brian, God will see you through this. He loves you so much and He as always has a plan. I will pray for quick recovery and complete healing. I will also be praying that things will get better for you as you come to terms with this new chapter of your life....I consider you a dear friend and have always seen you as one of my favorite pastors at Calvary.....God bless!
ReplyDeletePlease feel free to come visit me in the hospital. Give me a couple of days after the surgery to get my wits about me. Thanks Staci.
DeleteYou are covered in our prayers dear friend. .. we love you so much!
ReplyDeleteThis may be a blessing in disguise. .. I'm sure you will adjust well and find you'd wished you'd done it sooner.
Much love and prayers,
Charmaine and Jerry