6 months

It's been six months since my second (and hopefully last) ostomy surgery. I celebrated the day by battling a urinary tract infection. Whoopee!

Other than that minor inconvenience, my strength and enduarance are returning, and I anticipate once the weather turns more vernal, I'll be outside working my muscles and getting the remaining portions of my previous self back. I can tell my back muscles need strengthening, but all in good time. As my abdominal muscles get stronger, so will my back.

The trick is to know how much to do without over-doing. That has always been a challenge for me because I tend to push myself and over extend, only to pay the price for it.

I seem to have gotten into a good routine with bag maintenance. I understand Ian-Sophia's habits, needs, and moods. I've learned that if I eat big I will have hell to pay within an hour with excessive output, and that certain foods give me more mileage than others. Much of the stuff I eat comes out in 3-4 hours. Just about everything is turned into liquid, with the exception of lettuce, olives, corn, and nuts.

Most importantly, thanks to my body's inclination in the winter to fatten up, I've regained the 30 pounds I lost six months ago.

My new challenge is to learn how to manage my fluids and food once I begin serious exercise. Dehydration is a main concern since my output is bile colored water. I'm not keen on sports drinks, but I suppose I will have to develop a taste for them, especially when we go bicycling.

I don't think this year I'll be able to pull off a 20 mile round trip bike ride—I figure that is for next year—but for this year I'd be very happy to pedal around town doing our 5-6 mile trips at least twice a week.