Hi Bubba, I just had my J-pouch on April 21st, and I don't have any regrets. While I am a bit older (44), I fought the U/C for 15 years. All the steroids and other drugs, too many to recount. I recall going to Disney World with my kids two years ago and learning where every bathroom in all the parks were. Or how about
not being able to go to their ball games because of a flair up and usually no toilets (or decent ones without a line) at the ballparks. As for decent toilets, how non-descriminate do we become? You know what I'm talking about
. Having to go so bad you didn't care how clean it was or where it was, or worse yet, soiling yourself.
I wanted to hit on some of the things you are probably dealing with while you have U/C so we can look to the future. I had my colon removed October 2005 and had a temp ileostomy until April. In February 2006 they reconnected me and gave me a new temp ileostomy and then in April they did the final take down. I'm not going to lie to you. I've had more pleasant days, BUT, I don't regret it one bit. Oh sure, the day's you sit on the toilet and cry because your bottom hurts and the day's you wonder why me? Well, those pass. Right now, I am starting to turn a corner and gain a bit of control back, based on what I eat. I am starting to eat things with flavor and learning what I can eat and can't just yet. I am back to work full time and things are looking up. I am not going to fool myself, because I know it will be like this for about a year. But I am headed there and there's no turning back. Hopefully by next week I'll feel in solid enough control to start making my kids ballgames again. Life will get better. Consider the minor inconvenience for the bigger picture of getting you're life back. When I had the Temp Ileostomy I couldn't believe how much of a slave the U/C had made me. It was nice to be back on top.
Good luck to you. Phil