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Posted 5/31/2011 2:39 PM (GMT 0)
I wanted to say how grateful I am for a certain group of people (especially these certain woman who always answer) who constantly answer questions give support and reassurance tirelessly even though you all have probably answered the same questions a thousand times ;-)LOL! I and everyone else who comes here looking for the answers we need are truly blessed by you this group that has stuck around to let us know that life will be ok after the surgery we will move on and life will still be good if not definitely better!!! I appreciate all of you!!! I'm going in for surgery in 2 days and will be coming out with an ileostomy and even with all the research I've done I'M FREAKED OUT!!!!! But I know I can come here and get the help probably more comfort then anything else I need!!!! Thank you all again!!!!!

Ok just so you don't have to guess who guys are
Equestrian mom,another uc wife,summerstorm,blueglass,blueheron,80'schick,flchurchlady,
Hoodaya,trixiemom,betsieroni,shaz,andorable,run4pancakes, sorry if I missed someone and I'm only familiar with 2guys that I know are men nascaron and villager for the guys who more frequent the forum ;-)
Posted 5/31/2011 6:41 PM (GMT 0)
i second your opinion, there are some who never fail to respond to with info & support, even though they may have had their op many years ago they continue to support & 'hold the hands' of others on their way to surgery & afterwards - for me this forum is a real font of knowledge - it is priceless

i would be worried about you lifeinterupted if you were not 'freaked out' - it is a major life milestone -i hope all goes well for you - you will no doubt have been following others here who have had their op recently & you can take some heart from their having arrived at the other side of surgery & into recovery & healing -will be keeping an eye out for your updates

best wishes
Posted 5/31/2011 7:02 PM (GMT 0)
BEST OF LUCK with your upcoming surgery Dee!! it is so normal to freak out, it's a major surgery. i bet you've learned a lot so far and know what to expect. i also found this site before my surgery and it's been a BLESSING! can't express enough how helpful this site was for me with information and support! after reading so much on here before my surgery, i was so loaded with info about this surgery, possible outcomes, possible complications etc. i knew exactly what to expect AND how to handle any situation. it makes A LOT of difference when you're so prepared and know what's a head of you. and ppl here are amazingly supportive and caring! it's unbelievable! this site is a god send.

good luck and keep us posted. we're all here for you!
Posted 5/31/2011 7:38 PM (GMT 0)
We're here for you sweetie. Hang in there. Initially it will be a bit overwhelming but when my husband got sick in the beginning if I didn't have the UC forum and all the wonderful support and help I would have gone out of my mind.

When it came time for surgery and make the leap over to this forum once again everyone was so patient and kind and gave me so much support and info.

It is a daily ritual for me to come here and another board as I am "the secretary and information gatherer" for my husband. But it is just as much for me too so I can keep a handle on things. So far we are doing really well once again after some bumps in the road and needing to change to a different appliance and anticipate there will be other situations too from time to time. But knowing I have the great group of people to ask questions of is such a relief.

Not wanting to sound like a Pollyanna or a super religous person, but I truly feel I/we are blessed with the way things have turned out and if I can help anybody in any small way with their anxiety and fear, I want to try. So many here "pay it forward" and I think that is great!

Good Luck and keep popping in here with your progress and hopefully very few problems :-)
Posted 5/31/2011 9:50 PM (GMT 0)
Dee, Good luck going into surgery -- you're almost there. The night after my surgery I was a mess physically, and I'd been dreaming that my surgery had been postponed and I couldn't do it.... and then I woke up and just got this big grin on my face and said to myself, "I did this." You'll do it too -- and it will be worthy of your freak outs at points, but just so worth it overall. Let us know how it goes. I'll be thinking of you.

You know, the internet is so full of the worst of people's behavior -- people anonymously trashing and degrading each other in ways that most would never do in person..... and then you have something like this site, which, like uc wife, not to be all pollyanna or anything, but just shows so much of the best of how humans can act toward strangers. People were here for me, and now it's so satisfying to know and share the answers to some of the questions I had myself, just a few short months ago. I'd still rather have never had IBD in the first place, but if you had told me twenty years ago that I'd get a disease that would end up making me poop in a bag for the rest of my life, and that I'd feel good about the bag and the connections I'd made through it.... well, no way I'd have believed that.

That was a very sweet note ... finding and expressing gratitude for the good things can really help you through the not good things.....
Posted 6/1/2011 1:02 AM (GMT 0)
Dee~I'll be thinking of you...just remember to breathe and take every step as it comes! You are already way ahead of me since I didn't find his site until AFTER my proctocolectom sad

sending (((HUGS))) your way!
Posted 6/1/2011 1:59 AM (GMT 0)
Dee,
All the best with your surgery, although I know you will breeze through it. You have armed yourself with as much knowledge as you can and for that I'm sure you will adjust just great. Life truely is much better with an ileostomy, I love mine since I can go anywhere and do anything I please without running to the bathroom. Thank you for your kind words to us all, I am happy to be able to help out yeah This site has been a blessing to me as well, there are so many wonderful people here that are ready and willing to answer any questions we may have. Take care and hope to hear from you soon

((((((((Hugs))))))))))

Doreen
Posted 6/1/2011 2:53 AM (GMT 0)
Dee,

Good luck with your surgery. My 15 year old daughter had her surgery in February also. Her take down surgery was in April. It was the best decision we could have made. After her first surgery she felt so much better that same night. She cried and said mom I am so happy my stomach doesn't hurt anymore. Life does get better after surgery. She hardly ever left the house in over a year and after her surgery and she started feeling better, I couldn't keep her home. This site has been a blessing to me as well. I think her GI doctor got tired of me saying the people from the healing well site said this or said that (lol) But they were always right. Take care and keep everyone updated when you can.
Posted 6/1/2011 2:56 AM (GMT 0)
That was really sweet, i do stay here just because the people here got me through surgery and i think that i owe that to others, and i like to talk :D Oh and i like when people say im awesome, tee hee.
And be freaked out, its totally ok, i freaked that i would never do another cartwheel, it was so dumb. And then i freaked about other things, some made sense, some didn't. Just keep remembering your reason for surgery! And how much better you will feel.
i dont think its pollyanna, it makes me feel like maybe all hope isnt lost when i see people like on this board taking their time to help others. That doesnt help much, on the internet or in irl. Going off subject for a second, but if everyone would just help someone, even as little as holding a door for someone when their hands are full, and say please and thank you we would be in a much better place.
Posted 6/1/2011 1:31 PM (GMT 0)
I have been away for four days... what a kind and thoughtful post to come back to! Thank you. This site has helped me so much as well!

I will be thinking of you as you head into surgery. I had a mix of emotions right before surgery... nervousness, excitement but also calm and peaceful. Like you, I had put a lot of research into my decision. I felt good about it, but that didn't keep the butterflies away!

Argh! I realized that I forgot to send a couple more photos of me in clothing post-surgery from your post a while back. I have taken a few more lately and will email them to you tonight.

Best wishes!

-Heidi
Posted 6/1/2011 2:05 PM (GMT 0)
Dee - you are so right! This site is a blessing. It's also a huge help to those who are caregivers like me. I appreciate all the support, too.

Good luck with your surgery. It is okay to be freaked out and it is okay to grieve. You'll get through it and find health on the other side but let yourself feel the emotions that are natural. I wish you a very speedy recovery and will keep you in my thoughts.
Posted 6/2/2011 1:08 AM (GMT 0)
Dee,
I agree that everyone here is awesome! :-) I didn't find this site until after surgery, and you all have helped me so much and have been such a blessing.

Thankfully, I've had a good experience post surgery. I'm humbled to do whatever I can to try to help others put their mind at ease about surgery, so that they can relax and know that everything will be okay. It's also rewarding to play a small part in helping them get their health back.

I'm wishing you all the best with your surgery tomorrow and will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Please keep us posted on how you're doing. Don't forget to walk, walk, walk after surgery to help wake your bowels up!

((Hugs))
Cecilia
Posted 6/2/2011 2:28 AM (GMT 0)
Dee: it is ok to be freaked out. I was beyond freaked out, even up to the point where I was on the gurney outside the OR waiting for them to wheel me in. You will be ok though. I agree that this site is amazing! I've been away for a few weeks just due to being so busy, but I realized this evening I really need to make that effort to stay connected to this wonderful community that has helped me so much. Please keep us posted on how your surgery goes and let us know what information we can help you with once you are home again. I wish you a perfect surgery and speedy recovery.
Posted 6/2/2011 2:28 AM (GMT 0)
I agree with everyone; I came on here before my surgery and everyone here REALLY helped me not only make my decision but also feel confident and positive about it. That attitude has stayed with me and I want to help others feel the way I do, so I stay on here. Plus you never know what you might learn! I learn new things every day on here sometimes!

Good luck with your surgery! You will be fine, I promise! Just keep in mind, this is just a few weeks of discomfort for a lifetime of health :) Can't wait to see you on the flip side!
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