This morning at breakfast time, the team from the Colon/Rectal team came to see me.

I’m now on the Low Residue Diet which is a low fibre diet which will allow me to pass number 2’s as soft “goop” considering that the mass in my bowel is blocking a lot of the bowel, preventing me from doing normal number 2’s. Sorry for the TMI but not sorry haha. It’s wonderful to be able to eat real food again though after being on a clear fluid diet for over a week with only having very salty broth… choice of chicken, beef or vegetable broth to drink, apple juice and jelly… lime, strawberry or orange.

I have been referred to the Oncology Team now for treatment, chemo, as any surgery options are considered too risky because of where the mass is and because I have weak spots in my bowel, they don’t want to perforate and create more issues, treatment is really my only option. I just need to build up my strength first to be able to cope with the chemo.

I spoke to a doctor yesterday who recommended that if in worst case scenario happens, I will not be resuscitated as my other health issues won’t stand up to it, nor if they have to tube me. I understand their reasoning and I made the choice that in the worst case scenario, do not resuscitate me.

Had an OT assessment this morning for the things I may need for helping with showering, toileting, getting dressed. Lily, the OT did tell me that even though the hospital is looking into getting me onto the NDIS, with all my health issues, I may not still be considered to be disabled enough to be eligible for NDIS. Something which I had thought of myself after doing my own research as my other serious health issues aren’t covered by NDIS.

Dr Litwin and his team, including students, as he quizzed them during the visit about why they take stool samples… to make sure nothing else is going on… he is taking me off the IV antibiotics I have been on for the cellulitis in my right leg and for my bowel infection.

The next thing Dr Litwin has to do is work out where I am going to from here and my discharge from hospital.

A cousin visited today and it was wonderful catching up with her.

The doctor’s have stopped my IV antibiotics as they feel that after a week, I’ve had enough antibiotics in me as it is making my poop turn into liquid. They were going to stop the antibiotics because they knew it would affect the gut health, which they didn’t want to do, so they switched it to a tablet antibiotics.

It’s early evening and as I settle down for the night, I write this as much as a journal for myself and for those who take the time to read these posts. It’s one way for me to keep track of the things I want to keep track of in this whole new and different world that I’m in.

Until next time

Kaye