Back at Mayo

Hi Friends! It's Julie writing this time...just Dad and I on this trip. We ended up coming back to the Mayo Clinic yesterday after Dr. Ellis found some abnormal pockets of fluid in my abdomen. Today, we did blood work, urine samples, and a very uncomfortable enema x-ray to examine the issues more thoroughly. Dad and I met with Dr. Aggarwal and Dr. Dozios this afternoon hoping for some good news. Unfortunately, that did not come. I have two abcesses in my abdomen about 3 centimeters each. I also have some fluid build up under my scar from the last surgery. From some of the other indicators, they are certain that my Crohn's Disease is already flaring again. That is not at all what they had hoped to see, especially so soon after the last surgery. So, I will go in Monday to have fluids drained, do an MRI, and possibly have some surgery to insert a seton into another fistula that has formed. We will assess more then. We were also told that, most likely, in a few weeks when the infection is cleared up, they will do a permanent diversion of my colon and I will have a permanent external bag. That was really overwhelming at first...it wasn't even on my radar as a possibility. However, after talking to Robin, Mom, Dad and most importantly, God, I know that this is not the worst possible thing that could happen to me. I know, for a fact, that when I had it before, my quality of life was excellent. I also know that right now, it is not. I have the best doctors and nurses on my side both here and at home, and I trust them very much. I know we can handle whatever this disease throws at us. God is good...all the time and so are all of the amazing friends and family I have supporting me. Dad and I can feel all of your love and prayers. Thanks so much to each of you.