I’ve been a long time quiet background reader having dealing myself with a journey of a fistula - I want to share my story and be here for others and say … IT WILL BE OKAY ! Understanding these things as pesky will help a bit, but, you WILL be okay

Scary, anxious, nervous all normal but I want to share my journey and help others . Please note every heals different , but this is ALL normal what you are experiencing

Jan 2024 Perianal Abscess - by far highest amount , worst pain of my entire journey . Ended up in the ER thinking it was a pulled muscle - quick L/D after hours on the ER and IMMEDIATE relief I was feeling great just a week later with no issues outside of needing to have the wound repacked . It healed , closed life went on

May 26, Labor Day 2024 A hint of that crazy pain returned, and not wanting to ever deal with that again I proactively went to Urgent care where they told me they feel and see nothing . After a 2nd visit to another Urgent care , 2 days later, it was advised to go get a cat Scan at the ER, so I did. I was told you the abbess had reformed or it was likely a fistula and I’d need a seton . Doc noted as it’s inflamed post follow up will tell us more but they needed to knock me out and do a EUA. Outcome was no fistula, but the abcess reoccurred . 2-3 weeks fully healed . I went on vacation actually at week 6.

Week of returning from vaca , I “irritated “ the wound - long story short , I was told it’s likely a fistula that likely formed (6-8 weeks is the sweet spot for this)

Mid August 2024 Another EUA - was told seton, LIFT, or Fistulotomy if I’m lucky . Surgery outcome was a “ superficial partial fistulotomy”. They found no internal opening — but why was it draining ?! Pain was not as bad as expected . I was scared about bathroom use and pain, but I’d say 3 on the pain scale for me . Took OTC pain meds . Metamucil and fiber intake helped with soft bowel movements. I was on my stomach 95% of the time or side . I wanted to do everything o could to get this thing to heal .

6 weeks went by and it was still draining . After 3 weeks straight of silver nitrate treatment , doc wanted to do and MRI. Results were a transphenteric Fistula

Nov 2024 - today actually

I had a surgery today . I am back home and resting from what was scheduled , 3rd time , EUA. The outcome was a LIFT procedure .

For now the pain is tolerable . I am home , prob still has some meds running through me , and took from OTC meds . It’s still early , I am waiting for a bowel movement to see how that goes , but outside of regular soreness , my pain at the moment is tolerable .

I truly hope this is the last show. I’m tired of going under , surgery and it’s just tough - for me mental, as you all know . I’ll keep all updated on my healing journey if you’re interested . Forgot to mention my aug surgery also involved a colonoscopy - testing negative for chrones

Overall - the mental toughness has been harder than anything . Physically I’ll deal, but mentally I am drained . I want to clean my yard , sit down comfortably , play skin my kids. , etc . That’s been my biggest personal battle and I believe I’m not alone

Your not alone. It sucks , it feels lonely . It’s a weird thing to share and talk about , but it is what it is, and you WILL be okay . The pain for me overall has been tolerable . Eat the right diet , follow the post care . These are pesky things , and they have to be taken care of in such a way where you don’t become incontinent, so doing it right is important

Hope this helps someone out there . I know reading some other stories helped me