That sure is a lot of words isnt it? 
I have had UC for about 4-5 years now. I actually went into a good remission for about 8 months and foolishly thought I was "cured". Yeah, I was pretty wrong about that one. I have been flaring for the last year almost. I would start at 40mg of pred and taper down to about 15mg and start bleeding again. I guess after a while, I just figured taking the 40mg of pred and dealing with those side effects was better than bleeding and cramping. Unfortunately two weeks ago, the bleeding wouldnt even slow with the 40mg. I saw my GI who scheduled me for a colonoscopy two days later. Last years colonoscopy showed that half of my intestine was "moderate". This time, it was "severe". My GI told me that I need to consider surgery. Wonderful.
I fortunately have a family member who is a colo-rectal surgeon. He looked over my info and told me that I am at stage four whatever that means basicly there is nothing left of that old intestine for the UC to eat. My surgery is scheduled for Mar.24. I am so excited. I spend alot of time reading the posts here and it greatly helps. I cant wait to be off of the pred. I cant remember what it feels like to be calm. My pain is not really that bad unless I wait too long to take the pred. I am sure my wife and kids will enjoy me off the pred also 
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I have a very physical job and expect to be out of work for a little while on sort term disability. I am curious as to how long anyone with this similar surgery was out of commision. I am basicly having the j-pouch and then restoration. I cant see trying to be able to return to work with the bag. My work might agree to put me in the office for a little while doing paperwork, but I dont know how long I could ride that out. I work in a very dirty environment with not only dirt/debris but hazardous chemicals also. I will not push myself to get the takedown sooner than I am ready, but I am afraid to wear out my welcome up in the office. Dont get me wrong, I would enjoy hanging out in the office, rubbing elbows with the big dogs, but I am union and my bros. in the field can get touchy about the "light duty" people milking the desk jobs 
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I will greatly appreciate any tips or info from anyone. In a perfect world, I will have the surgery and be out of the hospital in a week. I will go home and heal for 6 weeks and return to work in the office. After I have had my fill of free bagels and donuts that are always plentiful in there, I will schedule my takedown surgery. Two weeks after the second surgery I will be back in the "gang" and have some sweet scars to show the boys in the shower,(we are required to shower at the end of our shift). I know I am probably dreaming here but it sounds good. I cant wait until I bring in my next batch of venison sausage and after my buddies have had their fill, I will tell them that I stuffed those sausages from my old intestine 
. Good times. Sorry about that, I work in a steel mill so pretty much anything is fair game here. Thanks for reading my autobiography if you even made it this far!!