Christine Ball’s Surgery/Recovery Bounceback

Christine BALL...an appropriate name for someone who has been thrown to the ground again and again but has always bounced back. Our sister has had some bad luck in her life...widowed when their son was 10, diagnosed with and treated for stage 3 colorectal cancer a year and a half later, city job eliminated when cuts had to be made, more surgeries sprinkled in. And all survived by sheer will and determination and the help of family, friends and coworkers when there was no such thing as a GoFundMe.

Flash forward to January 2020 when Chris has to have yet another (her 7th) abdominal surgery as a result of her previous cancer treatments. She’s been living with a “temporary” ileostomy for 9 years but it has outlived its usefulness and has become a cancer threat. Time to switch to a permanent colostomy which requires major surgery, approximately 5 days in the hospital (barring any complications) and a minimum of 5 weeks off of work (again barring any complications). This time off will be unpaid as all of her accumulated sick time has been exhausted dealing with her condition and its limitations, doctor appointments and hospitalizations. Not to mention all new supplies to purchase and get accustomed to.

Christine is (a) scared to death knowing what recovery will take and (b) understandably worried about finances while she gets back on her feet. As her sisters, we would like nothing more than to ease her financial worries so she can focus solely on getting well again. The money will help Chris stay current with her monthly expenses including mortgage payment, car payment, utilities, insurance premiums (auto, home, life, health), food, medicine, hospital and doctor bills. We hope that you will join us by making a small donation if you can and by sharing this GoFundMe link via your own Facebook, Instagram, SnapChat, and/or Email, especially to people who know Chris. Of course prayers, good karma and well wishes are also appreciated. Thank you from Laura and Elizabeth

And, as Christine says: GET YOUR COLONOSCOPY DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

IN HER OWN (semi-graphic) WORDS: (yes, she okayed publishing this because it may save a life)
I'm scheduled for surgery Monday, January 20, 2020.  They will be removing my ileostomy, fixing my hernia, removing about a foot of my colon and giving me a colostomy which goes on the left side of my belly instead of my current right side location.  They sew my ass shut and fix my gaping hole internally.

There are so many pluses to this:  I will not dehydrate as the ileostomy drains all liquids from my body constantly.  I won't have to take half of the vitamin supplements I currently do because a colostomy works differently.  The stool is more solid, I will only have to empty the bag about 3 -4 times a day as opposed to the 50 or so I currently do.  I won't have to live my life around where the nearest bathroom is anymore.  I will still be monitored annually, but my colonoscopies will be done directly through my new stoma.  

I will donate my current supplies to the hospital for someone who can't afford them - they have a "bank" for that.  I will have all new appliances to order and wear.

I will be in the hospital approx. 5 days - UH downtown barring no complications.  I have to be cut open abdominally - again. This will be my seventh abdominal surgery, ugh.  I will be off work for at least 5 weeks, again barring no complications.  

I will have an appt. downtown a month before surgery for EKG, bloodwork, etc. with anesthesiology team and to see Dr. D where he will give me all the nitty gritty of the surgery and afterwards.  I will meet with the stoma nursing team who will work with me to determine where new stoma/bag will be located - I get to choose what works best for me and they will work with me after surgery as well to make sure I've got it figured out so I can go home.  
I'm really not looking forward to any of this, but I know it's best for me to do so.  I just know what I'm in for and how hard it is to feel better...

I love you all and get your annual colonoscopies done!