12 days in the hospital. Around-the-clock meds that don’t take the pain away… just make it tolerable enough to survive. Countless pokes, bruises all over my legs, drains, a catheter, and a walker I’ll actually be taking home with me. A 7 hour Barbie butt surgery… plus some extra organs removed… and surprise endometriosis found along the way. Somewhere in the chaos, my bladder also decided it no longer wanted to function, so I’m heading home with the catheter too. And a drain tube. Because apparently we’re collecting accessories now. Watching my family through cameras because I couldn’t be there. Watching my husband work from a hospital room for nearly 2 weeks while still taking care of me. Carrying me, helping bathe me, setting alarms for meds, emptying drains, and somehow also coming home to 3 dogs… one with diarrhea, so now we’re adding dog diapers to the recovery storyline because why not at this point. Shout out to my incredible friends, my amazing sister for holding down every end of our family while I’ve been down, my mom for never leaving my side, and my husband who has been the definition of selfless through all of this. And to my AMAZING nurses, aides, and truly remarkable surgeon — thank you for carrying me through some of the hardest days of my life. You made unbearable days feel survivable. I will never forget the care, compassion, patience, and dignity you gave me. Recovery is humbling in ways you can’t understand until you live it. I still have weeks ahead of me, but at least now I get to heal in the comfort of my own home. So to this hospital room… respectfully… peace out ✌🏼#IBD #proctocolectomy #Barbiebutt #FYP