Coping With Fistulotomy

I had never heard of a fistula until I got mine. I had a lump on my right butt cheek that my family doctor suggested was a fistula. I went to a colo-rectal surgeon who said I needed surgery. The fistulotomy was done in August of 2007. Due to the depth of the fistula I had a seton procedure. My pain was not too bad, in fact, I never saw the need to fill the pain meds the doctor gave me. Don’t get me wrong….it hurt, but I don’t like meds and it was a pain that was tolerable. The strings or whatever they are from the seton fell out about four or five months later. I had to continue with the doctor for almost a full year after my surgery. Usually about once every three to five weeks.

Finally after a year I was told that I was good and didn’t have to see the doctor for a year just to be checked. Well, I didn’t make it to the year mark. I was just about two or three months shy for a year to being colo-rectal-surgeon-free. The fistula is back and now surgery is scheduled for Monday, June 15. This time the doctor said I would need the seton procedure and the strings would have to be in for about a year or two. Today at the doctor for a last minute appointment before surgery, the doctor says he changed his mind and may perform a mucous flap. This was explained to me pretty well so I think I know what I am getting, but not sure if the pain will be worse or better than the first surgery. Just hoping to never have to have this procedure again, ever! I thought child birth cost me most of my dignity, but trust me…..my colo-rectal issues have taken the little dignity I had left.