HaHa guess I don't belong on the UC boards anymore

I everyone,
I promised to write a follow up to my surgery. Everyone loves to talk about their experiences so I am taking the opportunity to tell mine here, so please bear with me. I am a little naive about my current situation except to say that I am no longer a UC patient.
I am so blessed in so many ways. I am 1 week +1 day post op. Last week I had a total colectomy with j pouch construction. I had some cardiac complications that put me in the ICU for a couple days. Though scary to be sent to the ICU I had great care and the privacy that provided was just what I needed right then. Even when I went to the floor, the nursing staff was attentive and well acquainted with how to care for me.
After a few days I was allow BR privileges. A double edge sword to say for sure.
I came home on Monday, and though not with out its challenges, I feel that I am healing better there than in the hospital. My husband is taking care of me. It is a good thing we both have spent years in the healthcare industry, so it puts us a little ahead of the curve when it comes to this kind of business. One of those blessings.
I had decided that I was going to get this done, but it is hard to press on when you fell pretty good. It is easy to say take it out when you are suffering, but as usual i was going into one of my mini remissions as the date approached. I knew that this colon had seen it's better days though, so I pushed forward. After 41 years diagnosed and the last four being in and out of flares ups I just couldn't stand the physiological effect of another remission only to flare again. I think having this done while not is a flared up and relatively healthy was a wise choice
The take-down (is that what it is called when they hook you back up to the j pouch? Still don't have all my terminology down.) will be done in June or July.
I have been managing well with my hubby and a home/visiting nurse I will get this ostomy thing manageable. I have no idea of how I will feel when I return to work next month. Though it will be for a short time I may be expected to travel for work. Is there anyone here that has an ileostomy and travels? What about sleep position. I am flat on my back all the time but I know that as a take fewer pain meds I will struggle with this.

Glad the surgery went well, and that you're home after the complication.

I've traveled some since my surgery, and a lot of people travel with an ileostomy. It's way better than traveling with colitis, that's for sure! The bag shows up on some scanners, so I usually have to get some kind of test for explosives or pat down, but it feels like a small price for my health and ability to travel.

As for sleeping, once you're healed from the surgery, you can usually do any position. I don't like stomach sleeping personally, but a lot of people do it just fine. I sleep on my side, and it's no problem.

Thank you all for the feedback.
I will keep you posted how my first trip goes though I expect it wont be for a while.
@bluegrass & summerstorm: I hear ya, re; travel with colitis. I had to plan my time of travel to coincide when my gut was quietest. I couldn't eat prior to flying but could manage dried cereal in a baggie to keep the hunger away. /And after all that I would still have those "moments" right when the fasten seat belt light turned on.
I guess it is too soon for me to think this through, but ileostomy travel has to be better.
@PSUDOC: I hope you are recovering well. Keep us all posted on your progress.

Ditto...once you are healed and up on your feet you will find a day of travelling is not much different than a normal day of being up and about.

You just plan accordingly.  My hubby's change schedule is Wed and Sunday.  Depending on the day we are travelling we may adjust his schedule a bit the week before to get on a different schedule as he likes to put on a whole new set up the day before travel.

In the airport he makes sure to use the men's room before boarding and most times unless the flight is very long he doesn't need to use the rest room on the plane. If he does it is usually to just pee as he is very good about drinking water and staying hydrated.

Of course have a change readily available for "just in case".  We do and have not needed to use it yet when travelling and out and about.

Your new normal I think you will find to be so much more predictable and manageable and travelling will no longer have such angst for you.  In the days of his UC and our desire to still travel made for some very hairy instances and close calls.  No accidents (don't know how though) but I was always on edge as I could see the panic in his face here and there and how close was the d*mn bathroom!!!!  So so happy to have that literally behind him now.  Yes it is a new normal but so much better than the 5+ years of suffering and all the frequency/urgency issues.  Plus there were so many times it was easier to just stay home and NOT go out as you became so tired of dealing with it too.