Eric Tapley

Another surgery is behind me, and I’m home recovering (once again). I’ll post more later, but for now just wanted to quickly update everyone on my progress. As always thanks for the overwhelming understanding and support!

Eric has been readmitted to the Boston Medical Center with a partial intestinal obstruction. More information as he is diagnosed and treated.

I’m pleased to report that my recovery continues at a great pace. I’ve been walking around outside quite a bit, eating plenty of varied foods (but sticking to a low fiber, low residue diet) and helping out a bit around the house, all without problems or pain. So at this point I feel comfortable easing back into life, and will start working a light schedule from home, as tolerated.

If you try to email or call me and don’t hear back right away, however, please be patient. Although my recovery is progressing nicely I’m still going to take breaks and rest when I need to, and that means shutting off my PowerBook (gasp!) and turning the ringer off on my phone.

You all knew I couldn’t stay away for long.

Hey, everyone. Just a quick update to let you know that I’m home recovering now. I was released from the hospital late this afternoon.

I’ll write more later, but for now, I want you all to know that my recovery is going very well, I have only a little pain that is managed quite well, and am generally feeling great. And it’s wonderful to be home.

As you’ve probably heard by now, I’ve been in the hospital for the past two weeks with severe intestinal problems. Specifically I suffered from a complete intestinal blockage due to inflammation of my small intestine near the spot of my previous surgery. This was exacerbated by ongoing problems with Ulcerative Colitis, lots of ongoing medications, and a possible bacterial infection.

Initially my doctors thought I would need emergency surgery, so I was transferred from hospital to hospital until I ended up at the Boston Medical Center. Rest and aggressive medical therapy was able to relieve the blockage. As a result the surgery has been delayed to give my body a chance to rebuild some strength and to schedule the operation for a more convenient time.

My surgery is scheduled for May 11th at 7:30 am. This is a major operation, during which I will have the remainder of my colon removed to get rid of the Ulcerative Colitis permanently, a “J-Pouch” constructed for eventual return to normal bowel functionality, and a temporary colostomy bag installed while my insides heal. It will be about a 5-hour procedure followed by 7-10 days of hospital recovery and then a gentle schedule of home rest and recovery. Two months after the initial surgery I will return for a smaller procedure to remove the colostomy bag, which will again be followed by a few days of hospital recovery and then - finally - a gradual return to normalcy. In the time between the two surgeries and initially following the final procedure I’ll be working closely with my doctors to monitor and and evaluate the healing and recovery process.

I’m very optimistic about this turn of events. I was able to avoid emergency surgery and have a bit of time to prepare physically and emotionally for the operations and recovery. I’m also working with top specialists in this field, a team lead by Dr. Becker, so after three or four months I should finally get back to being healthy. It’s been a very long two years and I’m excited to be solving these health problems.

Thanks for your understanding, support, prayers, and generally being great while I’ve dealt with these health problems. I know it’s hard because we don’t like to see our friends or loved ones in pain, but with a disease like mine there is very little anyone else can do. Now this is finally coming to closure and I’ll be able to resume my life - yea!