When I started post secondary I always reassured myself that I was "doing the right thing". Backpacking could wait a few years while I got a bachelors in business. That way I would have something to come home to when my feet got tired and the homesickness became too much. My plan was on track when I suddenly experienced the shocking taste of reality. Last summer, two weeks before my third year was to begin I found myself in the back of an ambulance.
Unfortunately my body had different plans. My stomach was the size of a hot air balloon and all I could do was clench my fists and let out the odd cry of gibberish. My body had no fighting chance, the Crohn's was winning and now my very white hospital room was filled with whispering doctors. I will spare the details of my 8 months of never ending hell and will instead sum it up with the highlights:
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| (Personal photo taken at the hospital 09/11) |
-Due to the first surgery failing I received a temporary ileostomy, which I was reassured would be reversed in three months.
-The incision of the second surgery became infected and was forced to heal open. I walked around for two months while a 4cmX4cm and 5cm deep hole in my stomach slowly healed.
-One week after finally leaving the hospital after my one month stint, I was luckily diagnosed with pulmonary embolism. "You would have gone home and died tonight" was how my surgeon beautifully put it as he readmitted me to the hospital.
-Being on blood thinners pushed my ileostomy reversal surgery date to March 9 2012.
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| (Personal photo taken at the hospital 03/12) |
The "life is short" saying finally hit home for me. All I ever wanted to do in life was have never ending airport terminals and plane rides. Yet I was potentially going to leave this world having only seen some of North America!? No way was I going to let that happen again. I threw out the idea of waiting for graduation, instead I'm making the light at the end of tunnel appear a couple years earlier than expected. Next September I will be only three years through my degree but on a plane to finally feeling fulfilled.
This blog is going to take you along for the journey as I prepare for my trip; from where to go and what to do, to what to pack and who to bring with you. Hopefully we will learn a few things together! Where have you been? What have you seen? Any advice for a beginner?
Wow Cally that is some extremely unfortunate stuff you've had to deal with. Considering all you wanted was to get a degree and go travelling. Which comes without second thought to most people as they don't have to deal with anything like this. Even with all you've been through I love how you contrast the two photos. The one looks very painful and uncomfortable, but the other one shows you goofing around. The second photo acts as a wake up call to be happy with life the way it is because one second you could be planning your travels and the next, you're in a hospital for eight months.
ReplyDeleteThis post is really inspiring and I'm glad that you're able to start your travels finally, even if it is earlier than you originally expected. My only advice for you thus far is avoid Air Canada haha!
Oh my goodness! Cally this post, the title already had caught my attention... and by reading the first few lines I was already captivated. You must of had an awesome time going through all of this (sense the sarcasm) but really it's crazy how things can just happens all of a sudden.
ReplyDeleteEven though all this happened and your travels had to wait, I think it's better to be healthy before you travel rather than be unhealthy and collapsing randomly while backpacking. (: Great post btw!
You have been through a lot, Cally. I admire how you remain positive and see life fully now. It is very nice to know that your body has compensated from all that has happened to you. From the books and articles that I have read regarding Crohn's disease, it is a very tricky disorder of the bowels and , you'll never know when it hit you until the symptoms show up already. And pulmonary embolism as well is no joke. Good thing it was detected and you were readmitted to the hospital. It might be because of your crohn's disease, it caused a blockage in your vein or artery.
ReplyDeleteYou have undergone a lot of risky surgeries and that you've almost been in septic shock at a very young age. And a disease after the other. You are one strong person and I really wish that you'll get to go anywhere you want to go because you deserve it.
I never think that you already went through a lot of this even though we sit right next to each other in class because you are such a happy and approachable person. I really wish that you'll stay healthy and positive in life. :D