Coping With Fistulotomy

Well it all started with pain and a lump in the anus area. I thought I had a very painful hemorrhoid. I waited figuring it would go away in a few days, 5 days later I had a bloody pussy discharge that soaked a panty liner, my under pants and went thru my jeans, smelled worse then anything I can remember, but the pain was less and thought to myself, finally!!!!! No more, what a relief. I was sore but figured I was on my way to recovery.

What a mistake, the next day I was in soooo much pain could hardly walk, went to work anyways. I didn’t want to call the doctor, how embarrassing. I’m not one to go to the doctor, don’t trust them, I’ve had bad experiences in the past. All weekend suffered like hell. Monday morning called the doctor’s office, talked to nurse and explained what I had experienced; she said to come in right away. Doctor had to take a look and said I needed surgery today!! She called surgeon while I was still there, he said he wouldn’t do surgery because the abscess burst and he could do more damage. Doctor sent me home with a prescription for the strongest pain pills available and antibiotics. Was still in soooo much pain I couldn’t stand it.

Next morning I called the doctor’s office and told them I was in so much pain even taking the meds, she said I should not be in pain with the meds I was on. She said she would call me back. 10 minutes later I received a call from the surgeon telling me to come in. Went in and he did the scope, talk about pain, your already sore and in pain and then they stick a scope up there. WOWSER!!! He then told me I would be having surgery tomorrow.

Scared to death, (I have anxiety) Anyways went in the next morning for surgery, can’t eat or drink anything after midnight the night before. Which meant no pain meds!!! OOOUUUUCCCCHHHH!!!! Wanted to die. Nurses were AWESOME. I was trying to be strong. Nurses said I must have had a high pain tolerance. Nurse came in about an hour later and saw I was crying. (Doctor had to take two patients from hospital into surgery before me. So my surgery was pushed back and I had to wait longer.)Nurse gave me pain meds, stronger then Morphine. 15 min. later it took the edge off the pain. Nurse came in short time later to take me to surgery. Surgery was more extensive then doctor thought, but went ok. Told my husband and daughter that I had an extreme amount of infection in my bottom, that I would have a lot of pain for a few days. The best part no cleaning, making meals etc. Came home about 2 hours after surgery, took pain meds for that day and the next, and couldn’t believe I wasn’t in much pain. Stopped taking pain meds of any kind.

Weird, considering a have a hole between anus and vagina for drainage.

The day after surgery I did laundry, gave the dog a bath, picked up house, etc. felt great!!!!! Had surgery on Wed. morning, went out to eat at a restaurant Friday night. Went to work a few hours on Sat. Considering the pain I was in before surgery, the pain after was a cake walk, No problem. Almost feel guilty for not being in pain. It is now Sunday and still feel fab. May have to have another surgery according to surgeon won’t find out until I go see him in 4-6 weeks.

Surgeon I had was great, very informative and easy to talk to and made me feel very comfortable.

Hope anyone else having it done will have a good experience after surgery as I did.

Helpful hints:

Do not wait to go to the doctor, once they see one a**, they’ve seen them all. ha-ha.
Doctor suggested toilet wipes for after you go to the bathroom, I used baby wipes (there bigger) worked great. Plus used several times a day to keep myself fresh after drainage. Just don’t flush down toilet.
Hard time going to the bathroom? It will happen. I used an enema which tells you to lie on a bed to do. When you get an urge to go to the bathroom, which will be a very short time, minute or two, make sure on the way to the bathroom you use a towel, chances are you will not make it to the bathroom, at least I didn’t. You can’t use enemas a lot, so the next day I used milk of magnesia, warning, you will have the diarrhea all day. But it worked within an hour or so. Take stool softeners right away after surgery. DO NOT WAIT.

Good luck to all.