The Unwanted Companion and Taking Care of Yourself
Procrastination in health matters can lead to unnecessary pain and complications. Addressing issues early, even when they are uncomfortable, is crucial for avoiding larger problems down the line.
August 12th
Today’s entry is going to be a bit different - short and to the point, but important nonetheless. I finally faced something I’ve been putting off for a long time. We all have those things, don’t we? The tasks or issues that we know we need to address but somehow manage to push to the back of our minds. For me, it was a day surgery. And not just any surgery, but something that I had been avoiding for over three years.
Now, I’m not sure if you’re like me, but I had managed to “procrastinate” this procedure for far too long. It wasn’t an emergency, not yet at least, but it was annoying - an ever-present, lurking nuisance that could flare up at any moment. And when it did, the pain was excruciating. You couldn’t sit, couldn’t lie down, couldn’t do much of anything without feeling it.
The culprit? An anal fistula. A rather unpleasant companion, to say the least. It’s one of those things you just get, and, unfortunately, it doesn’t heal on its own - not 99% of the time. Once it gets infected, it’s like a ticking time bomb. The pain is so intense it’s almost impossible to ignore, and that’s when you realize you’re in serious trouble.
Here’s the thing: treating it isn’t as simple as you might think. You can’t just numb the area with local anaesthesia and call it a day. No, this particular procedure requires you to be fully knocked out. It’s a big effort and, of course, it comes with a hefty price tag. But before anything can be done, the doctor needs to check if the fistula’s channel is passing through the inner and outer muscles. If it’s the latter, well, let’s just say you’re in deep trouble - literally.
To make matters worse, the initial check is often inconclusive. To be sure, you’d need an MRI, which means even more cost and time. But here’s where I got lucky. My fistula was only affecting the inner muscle, so they were able to cut it open and let it heal naturally. That was the procedure today.
At the moment, I’m pain-free - a welcome relief. They’ve given me plenty of painkillers, with strict instructions to take them if the pain becomes severe. We’ll see how it goes.
So, here’s to finally getting things done, even when it’s something as uncomfortable as this. It’s a reminder to take care of yourself, even if it’s a pain in the butt… pun very much intended.
Walter
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Consecutive Days Posting on Walter’s Diary:
Thrity-Four (34)
Understanding the Anal Fistula: What It Is and How to Treat It
For those curious (and perhaps a bit brave), let’s dive into what exactly an anal fistula is and how it’s treated.
An anal fistula is a small tunnel that develops between the end of the bowel and the skin near the anus. It’s usually the result of an infection in the anal glands that didn’t heal properly. When these glands become blocked, an abscess can form. If the abscess doesn’t heal completely, it can leave behind a channel that connects the infected gland to the skin—this is the fistula.
Unfortunately, once you have a fistula, it doesn’t typically go away on its own. Treatment usually involves surgery, and the type of surgery depends on the fistula’s location and complexity.
In simple cases, like mine, where the fistula only affects the inner muscle, the procedure is straightforward. The surgeon will cut open the fistula to allow it to heal from the inside out. This method, known as a fistulotomy, is highly effective but requires you to be under general anaesthesia.
For more complex fistulas, particularly those involving the outer muscle, the treatment options become more complicated. Sometimes, a seton stitch is used to keep the fistula tract open, allowing it to drain and gradually heal. In other cases, advanced procedures like LIFT (ligation of intersphincteric fistula tract) or even more invasive surgeries might be necessary.
Recovery varies depending on the procedure. For a simple fistulotomy, most people recover within a few weeks, but it’s crucial to follow post-operative care instructions to avoid complications. Pain management is an important aspect of recovery, and patients are often prescribed painkillers to manage discomfort in the days following surgery.
In short, while an anal fistula is an unwelcome and painful condition, it’s treatable. The key is not to procrastinate (as I did for so long) and to address it before it becomes a bigger problem. If you think you might have a fistula, consult with a healthcare professional and discuss the best treatment options for your situation.
Remember, taking care of your health is always worth the effort—even if it’s a pain in the butt.