You know this whole thing is very up and down. A couple of days ago I was going to get on and really rave about how well I was doing. All it takes is a day or two of relative normality to make me happy, I tell you! I am very pleased to say I have had no real issues indicating a fissure retear or anything like that. But where the skin tag was removed (and really then where the fissure was, I would say) is still just so easily irritated and causes such a slow start to my day. Part of that is the need for the extra clean-up an hour or so after a BM and maybe even a second time due to some very minor leakage. It is amazing how irritating that is! But the skin tag area is still pretty pink when I look down there and is extremely sensitive. We went to the hot springs on Thursday and Friday things were great! Maybe soaking in a hot springs pool for 8 hours a day is the true cure, but I don't think that will happen in reality!
I have been using Balneol and that seems to help with the "second cleanup" as I've started calling it. I always rinse off with water after. Sometimes I use a little A and D as a barrier- I have to say the jury is out.
Yesterday, I made the mistake of cleaning up in a hurry after a second BM in the afternoon- you know, I was actually trying to accomplish something and wanted to get back to it! And I poked myself with my fingernail a little. That sent me into an anxiety ridden afternoon and evening, convinced I had slit myself open. I soaked last night and put Calmoseptine on and this morning things seem a little more irritated than usual. Usually after this first morning BM, and the second cleanup and rinse, things take a little while to stop itching/burning and then things are relatively ok.
Any other thing I am not thinking of though? Or is it just a need for more patience and time. I know we have talked about this before ad infinitum but I forget all that was said. Anyone ever try a tiny bit of vinegar in a bath? I remember my mother doing that for a sunburn for me as a kid and for an itchy bottom too, I think...Unfortunately, she's not around to ask.
Bambi
And sorry if I have not responded as much lately. My husband is in his 6 weeks off of treatment, so we have gone to our cabin (no internet up there), made the day trip to the hot springs last week and are planning a trip to two other hot springs in southern Colorado later this week. I made reservations using our canceled airfare a couple of days ago to do our home exchange in Miami in early August. It was originally supposed to be a winter Florida trip, but we are happy to go whenever we can. It is essentially a "free" trip using awards on an airline from a credit card and the home exchange of our cabin. So we hate to pass it up. Hopefully, our presence will not trigger any hurricane activity!
Then Doug has his follow-up appointment on Aug. 15. Our daughter is currently buying their first home, starting her first teaching job in a month, buying a car and holding up fairly well. We are planning to be around over the next two weeks to help her and her husband as much as we can so I will try to come on and actually contribute!