Coping With Fistulotomy

Gosh…where do I begin? I had my first abscess drained when I was 19-YO at a general surgeon It went ok…and lasted a few years. Then it continued to reform and needed I and D under general anesthesia Again, time went by and then another. It got to the point after the birth of my first child that I needed an hemorrhoidectomy…which turned out to be by far the worst surgery I have had to date.

Anyway, I have lost count but believe I am up to about 15 surgeries including the bunionectomy that was another nightmare.

I was referred to the top colorectal surgeons in CT who have all done one procedure or another on me and have found my case to be extremely complex. They are trying to avoid cutting my sphincter muscle that may leave me incontinent at 35-YO.

This fistula has been draining pus since ‘03 non-stop. I have to wear gauze 24-7, take pain killers every four hours, and have been on anti-biotics for about two years. Although, from a medical standpoint antibiotics don’t work for an abscess or fistula but it seems to work to keep the pus draining and not forming another abscess.

My surgeon even tried a Surgissis plug on my fistula with only one internal opening. I was actually pain free the day after surgery but then it returned. We also tried fibrin glue, twice, but to avail.

We are still trying, surgery 16 coming up and although this has physically and emotionally drained me…be strong, try to laugh and always have hope in the power of healing. What a pain!