Coping With Fistulotomy

As anesthesia provider and working in the medical field, i knew right away something was wrong when i first felt a bump near my anus. it was a boil-like bump that would come and go but one day redness appeared. At first i thought it was internal hemorrhoid that i can get rid of with preparation H but it only got worse. Pain soon followed and it got to the point where i could hardly walk properly.

Had a general surgeon look at it and next thing i know it i’m in surgery for perianal abscess I&D.

I received a spinal anesthesia and once it wore off, the burning pain ensued. The surgeon left a penrose drainage in which was painful because of the stitches around the area. It was miserable. He explained that there was a 50% chance of fistula forming. A coin toss. Follow up visit he pulled the penrose drain out. After a month i was able to go back to work. Occasional drainage would occur, white drainage which i was explained that it was fatty tissue. Seven months went by and it still drained and during some bowel movements blood would splurt out. I knew it was a fistula forming. My doctor performed an anal exam and probed the wound. The most painful examination i have ever experienced. Next thing i know it i need another surgery, fistulotomy This time he told me 95% that this surgery will heal it.

So, another spinal anesthesia, 12 hours later i take my dressing off to see my wound. I became nauseated. I was so worried about having my first bowel movement. I was glad i took a stool softener because it wasn’t too bad. The wound was deep and big. Sitz bath helped alot. So here i am lying in my bed day 3, with not much pain surprisingly compared to my first surgery. I pray that it heals completely. Only time will do it. Mentally you have to be strong and just realize there’s really nothing you could have done differently. Stay strong.