Call,
I will have to google "anoplasty." I can honestly say that I do not know what it is!
You offered to make a donation to the board. That was very nice of you. You can send me some $$$ as I plan to spend some $$$ in your home state very soon. Honestly, that was a nice comment you made. If you wish, I can ask my friend Dwight to pray for you as I have already requested that he do for Steve. I hope you feel better soon!!

Sounds like a good idea to take the valium, just to help you through your "birthing". Hope you can also stay on top of the pain. Does the milk of magnesia work well for you usually? I am by no means an expert, but I think some people prefer the movicol/miralax for making soft stools. Maybe you can also call your crs/doctor and ask them about that and tell them about your situation.
Praying for your poop!!

Hey Call,
Hope you are doing better.
I went to the CRS today and told him about having to go back to school and pain and discharge and stuff and he recommended some stuff that I found at Walgreens called Balneol. It's a hygienic cleansing lotion for after BMs and for discharge and such. I picked it up yesterday and love it! You just put it on normal toilet paper and it has been softer and less painful than any cotton balls or anything for getting the area clean. Plus it comes in a little tiny bottle so I can take it with me everywhere just in case!
Just thought I would recommend it! Hope you are feeling better!

Elizabeth - That sounds like great stuff! I'll have to look for it the next time I go to the drug store!
Bum - I've never taken Milk of Magnesia before, it was on my post op instructions, which is why I planned to take it.
Cheryl - I'd gladly send $$ to help keep this forum running. It's been a Godsend for me. Or, if you come 'round Orlando, I'll definitely buy you lunch. And as for the anoplasty, it's basically reconstructive surgery. I had two large skin tags removed, several internal enlarged papillae removed, and had tissue transfered from outside my rectum to 'fill in' the fissures since I had such horrible stenosis. So, they had to stitch in the new tissue, and stitch up the donor area as well as where the skin tags were removed. Lots of stitches and lots of pain.
AND on a happier note, I am pleased to announce that I had my first BM today.
Without going into exact details, lets just say that the urgency to go threw the fear of going out the window. As soon as I sat down, the BM tore out of my body. It hurt like hell, but was over so quickly that all I could do was sit there in shock. I'm still having spasms, but because the pressure is relieved, I feel so much better. It's amazing. I feel like I've finally jumped the last major hurdle in my recovery. Now that I know I can handle BMs I can concentrate on feeling better. I know I still have a long road ahead, but at least I know where that road leads and I'm not just walking blindly anymore.
Thank you all again for the prayers and continued support. There are not enough words to express my gratitude.

Yay!
How are you doing today?

Call,
Happy for your good news!!

Well it seems like with every step forward in recovery, there is a small step back that follows. :-(
I ended up having two BMs yesterday and I have been in agony ever since. I feel like I've passed the Empire State building from my rear end. I can only assume it's bruising because there is no blood that I can easily see. Also, I took my last toradol before my first BM and as luck would have it, I think that was the pill that was keeping the pain at bay. The Percoset nor the vallium seem to have much affect. I hardly slept last night. I just paced the house in pain. I am going to have to call the doctor this morning and see if I cand get more toradol since my appointment is tomorrow. The pain is agony - the worst pain yet. I am just waiting for the day that this recovery starts to turn the corner and send me in a good direction. So far, this sucks and I'd have a hard time recommending this surgery.

I hope you can get more painkillers from your doctor right away and that they have some good recommendations for you. Are baths recommended after your operation?

Quick update - I talked to my doctor this morning and was basically informed that what I'm going through right now is completely expected. Because my first BM took so long, the second-half of the pain experience was somewhat delayed. That being said, the doc informed me that I should double-up on the percoset and stay on the vallium consistently for a little while. So, I did that today and have had some success with that.
I even had a relatively pain-free BM this afternoon. The aching afterward was a bit uncomfortable, but nothing I couldn't handle. I've also been using the sitz bath a lot, but I'm finding that it actually hurts more because of the stinging.
The good news though is that with each day I am gaining more and more control, have less discharge, and haven't had much blood at all today.
I am hoping that I am turning the corner towards recovery. I have my post-op appointment tomorrow and the doc is planning to keep me out of work until the 28th since sitting is still quite painful and sitting behind a desk is my job (I write/edit school text books). Here's to hoping everything will continue to get better.
Also, if anyone is interested in the pain pump that the surgeon used, it is a Marcaine Pain Pump. I would suggest discussing it with your doctor if you are considering an anoplasty. I truly believe it kept the edge off with the pain for the first few days.
Thank you again to everyone. I will update again in a few days if things continue to go well, which I am hopeful for.

I write/edit school text books
More evidence for my theory that sufferers with AF's are intelligent! Happy for your GOOD news!! We are enjoying this nice, warm Florida weather as the Midwest gets more snow today. :roll: