Progress Report!

Hi Lovelies!

Just thought I would do an update of how I have been. I know, I know, I said I would try and do one every few days and I have left it to a week (looks away sheepishly)

I have been really well for the most part but have had my ups and downs. The downs still not being anywhere near as bad as what I was prior to surgery though. Since I updated you last I have been to Chermside shopping mall (giant-ass shopping centre near our house) and was able to drink a coffee frappucino - although it was soy, I still felt like this was a huge victory! While we were there I brought some support singlets that I talked about in my last post. They are made to smooth down your fat, but for me they are made to smooth down Steffi (stoma)
I originally looked at buying one online, and f**k me I am glad I didn't because I would have never been able to get it on. HOLY MOLY THEY ARE TIGHT HUH?! I got an Australian size 8-10 off the rack, since that is my size and I would be only an 8 at the moment, so I thought oh surely if it's 8-10 I will be OK. NO. NO FLIPPIN' WAY!
I ended up getting a size 10-12 and I fought to pull that down. I actually had to wrestle with it in the change rooms of Big W, to the point I broke out in a sweat,  but they work well.
I also got one of those triangle shaped pillows because I was having trouble sleeping and getting comfy, and now i sleep like a baby and have even been sleeping on my side at night! Winning! I never would have thought I could sleep on my side this soon after my surgery. I'm a bit scared I'll roll over onto my tummy and get myself into some seriously trouble though! Haha.

Now I have been feeling pretty down about my appearance lately but specifically my hair. It was really damaged due to being ill for so long and I have hated it for aaaages. I have blonde highlights in my hair, but I haven't been able to get it dyed for a long time because I was scared that it would fall out since it started getting really brittle with being sick and the same goes for getting it cut. My hair then did start falling out when I wasn't eating properly because I was so malnourished. I would brush my hair and clumps would come out. It was so bad I stopped brushing my hair altogether and I think I would have lost at least a third of my hair. Since I have been eating properly after surgery my hair has stopped shedding…hoorah!! I have also started to see lots of new growth, which is awesome, except I have a crap load of fly away sticky uppy bits on my head - so annoying!! Anyways, I thought I would book in to my local salon as it's only a short walk down the road and has fantastic recommendations, to get my hair cut and have a treatment put through it to strengthen it. I really wanted to get my hair coloured but didn't know if it was still too weak to be able to get it dyed yet.
I went there on Wednesday and had a chat with Kamy at The Ruby Room in Nundah, if anyone local ever reads this I couldn't recommend her enough. She said she would be able to dye my hair, she used a lower level of peroxide and only did half a head of foils this time, to be on the safe side until more of my hair grows back and gets stronger. Needless to say, I was over the moon!!
I got my hair treatment and OMG it was more of a hair TREATment. Never have I felt so spoilt having a treatment through my hair. They gave me headphones and played some relaxation music, put a towel over my eyes so I could totally bliss out, gave me the most amazing massage, not only on my head but my neck as well - absolutely amazing! Then when I thought it was all over they gave me a lovely chamomile and vanilla tea to finish.
I was a bit apprehensive about getting my hair cut, last time I got my hair cut, it was wonky and so hideous. But this was amazing. Nothing major, totally simple but it's exactly what I wanted without knowing it myself and I feel like a million bucks.

WARNING!!! SHAMELESS SELFIES FOLLOW!!

After :-)

After I got my haircut Will and I went to a cafe for some lunch and I had the best time. I just felt so happy and relaxed. I didn't have to worry about analysing every single ingredient on the menu - about what foods might upset me, I didn't have to look around to see where the nearest bathroom was, exactly how I would get there and did I need to ask for a key before hand to get in? I was able to completely relax and enjoy myself. I can't remember the last time I felt that happy prior to the operation. Now it happens most days. 

I mentioned before I still have my down days. Even though I have had an ileostomy, I still have active Crohns which I have to remember so that is why I will be feeling a bit blah sometimes. Some days I am really tired and don't want to do anything but I have more good days then bad and the days I dont feel so good, I'm only ever really tired. I feel a trillion times better then what I did. 

I saw my gastroenterologist on Thursday who gave me the all clear to start Humira again which is awesome, that will make me feel even better. I got weighed while I was there, and I was the exact same weight as I was in hospital (47.2kgs) I felt a bit bummed because I have been trying so hard to put it back on. 4 days later (today) I had an appointment with the colorectal registrar and I was 900 grams heavier! I had only had a light breakfast and hadn't had lunch by this stage, its safe to say I might even be a kilo heavier!! I go from staying the same weight for 2 weeks to a kilo in 4 days! Frustrating! I wish I was able to slowly and steadily gain weight but I'll take it. Both doctors were pleased at my progress and couldn't believe I had only just had surgery as I looked really good :)

Anyways I am going to sign off

Love to you all

Holly xx