Happy New Year to all......

Just wanted to wish you all a Very Happy New Year and hope that 2011 brings only good things to everyone.

We don't really celebrate New Year, I never go out on New Year's Eve mainly because it was always so difficult to get a sitter for that night that I got into the habit of spending it at home - then as James grew up I realised I had zero interest in going out with other people and would rather spend it at home with him anyway.

That continued throughout my adult life - I'm just not a 'party person' the rest of the time so see no reason to become one just for New Year.

Rab nearly always works on New Years Eve, usually until about 3am - but this year he's finishing earlier and should be home by 10pm. We'll see the New Year in with a toast then move on.

I have to admit that this year I'm quite looking forward to saying goodbye and good riddance to 2010!

Apart from all that a quick update on me (yes, it's all about me, me, me...LOL)..

I'm still having my wound dressed every two days - it's still not healing and is being packed with something called Aquacell (Aquacell promotes healing from within apparently).

I asked the nurse today how long she estimated until it healed and I suggested maybe another week or two?....she said unfortunately it'll take much longer than that now. Blast! Still no sign of being able to lay in my nice hot bath yet.

I'm tired but not totally exhausted like I was a month or so ago - although I do still feel worn out most days by the end of the afternoon. I'm eating better - in fact over Christmas I ate plenty and managed to lose a whole kilo! Go figure eh!

I've discussed with the nurse the idea of having CEA blood tests done after 3 months instead of waiting for my 6 month check up at the hospital and she thought this was a good idea (*thanks Fiona for the suggestion).

My wound is uncomfortable and hurts if I stay in one position for too long - parts of my bum are still completely numb indicating nerve damage - which is apparently very common in this op. The advantage to this is that the nurse is able to pack the wound with Aquacell without hurting me at all - every cloud has a silver lining eh :-)

The Stoma works perfectly well, is not difficult to look after and I've accepted that it's here to stay. Do I like it? No, but I can live with it anyway.

I'm currently sourcing alternative bags as I dislike the ones that have been sent to me (*clear bags and actually I don't want to see the contents, thank you very much) so my current mission is to find colostomy bags that are both comfortable to wear and easy to live with.

Some of them itch like mad (different adhesives I suppose), some hang too low, some are too transparent, some are useless in that they start to come away from the skin too quickly...

I've found one that is 'acceptable' and asked for these to be delivered after the Christmas break...I've also found a new design that is completely flushable and requested samples.

If they work I feel that would be the best option for once I return to work - quick and easy to change and dispose of....eventually I'll work out which are best for me.

The gas pains have disappeared (since I ate the Spicy Thai Red Curry!) and eating is no longer particularly difficult now....I definitely don't have any trouble with eating Christmas pudding, mince pies, cream and all the seasonal fattening foods - it's just that they're not fattening me up at all...oh well, I'll just have to keep trying then :-)

So, just a final wish to you all...........

'May the New Year bring us all good things or at least nothing that we can't cope with - Happy 2011'