Hi all,

I feel a little relieved to have found this forum and hopefully some comfort in your experiences. While I do not have IBD, etc., this is one of the only active forums I've been able to find and feel comfortable posting on.

I am a 29 yr old female with an extremely active lifestyle (I train twice a day, 5 days a week doing CrossFit and Olympic lifting). 5 weeks ago I had a perianal abscess drained. It was so random for me to even have one develop- "bad luck", the doc said. My CRS said 2 weeks before I could start to ease back in to working out. Well, here I am 5 weeks later with only 1 painless day to remember and zero activity besides regular walks.

After the abscess procedure 5 weeks ago, I have had consistent drainage, although never excessive and continually less and less. I have been diligent with sitz baths and proper hygiene. Three days ago, however, the wound site healed over rather quickly and I ended up developing a minor abscess overnight. It spontebeously ruptured the following day. I had my follow-up appointment today and the CRS said this is a sign of a fistula and I am scheduled for surgery tomorrow.

I am not sure what the surgery will entail as far as the extent of the fistula, whether or not they'll place a seton, etc. My entire life I've been a very private person - regarding my body. I am blessed to have auch a dear and understanding husband to help care for me, but at this point I just feel *extremely* anxious and scared, completely exposed, embarrassed, and am totally dreading Monday. I keep having moments of "Ok, let's just do this", followed by total freak-out moments.

The doctor said to expect about 2-4 weeks to heal after surgery. Of course in my mind I want to know when I can start training again- realistically. Seems like there's no rhyme or reason to healing, different for everyone. I just want to feel like I'll be normal again and able to do the things I love without having to wait months and months.

I guess I'm just looking for words of support, wisdom, etc. Thanks for taking the time to read. I just need to know I'm not the only one who feels this way.

Also, I've been seeing that some people have nurses that are "packing" the wound for them... is this normal to have someone come to your house? Should I expect the hospital to offer this? Makes me feel super uncomfortable as I don't want more people touching me.

I just had fistula surgery two weeks ago and one many years ago. It is not a really hard surgery. It is just a nuisance all the extra time it takes to deal with bowel movements, keep it clean etc. As you know! No difference from Abscess. I am now worried about every little post op lump- is it scar tissue or an abscess or what. I did a lot yesterday and am quite sore today. But there have been days in last two weeks that I have felt fine!
You will do well- just annoying to have to go thru it!

and no packing- just keep some gauze over for drainage.