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Ohcountrybear,

I wish I could tell you exactly what to do but you really need to make that decision so that you can live with your decision - only you know how much you can take. That being said, I have to say that I wasn't a happy camper when I woke from emergency surgery to find out I had a permanent ileostomy at age 23. It sucked. I had no idea that was in store for me, or I was just too ignorant and naive at the time!

But I will have to say that I am so happy that I don't have to live with the pain of Crohn's disease, diarrhea, taking an incredible amount of meds including large doses of steroids, and the list goes on and on. I couldn't eat because of the pain and when I did, I'd be in the bathroom all night. What a change in my life now. Yes, I know I have foods that I just don't dare eat, some cause diarrhea (doesn't take much for me), but what do I care.... I have a bag! As long as I stay hydrated. And I can pretty much go anywhere anytime. I can eat a large variety of ethnic foods, and really enjoy going out to dinner. I feel happy and healthy. I am so blessed that my health has been so good. Yep, I've had bumps in the road, a few partial blockages that hurt like heck and adhesion issues. It's always something when you are dealing with the amazing thing called the human body. But overall, I feel well - not sickly or drained or afraid to run to the store in a minute's notice.

Speaking of traveling, I was just talking with a friend, and I told her that since my DH has been diagnosed with ALS, his goal is to make it to UT before he has to have a power chair. We are getting really close to the power chair; so I am fully anticipating him saying in passing one day, "Oh btw, I just bought us 2 airline tix to go to UT day after tomorrow." And all I would have to do is just throw some clothes in a suitcase and grab some Ostomy supplies. The only thing I'd ask is "for how long" so I'd know how much to take! Off we would go. No worries.

So, if I can help you in any way, I would be happy to. But, You are the one that will have to live with your decision. You have great sources of information to draw from, especially with the internet and this forum and your doctors/surgeons. All you have to do is ask the questions you need answers to.

I am so sorry that I can't really help much with the reconnection issues - my resections were all failures due to the Crohn's disease reoccurring so quickly in the rectum.

I wish you only the best. Please be open to listen to whatever information you can gather. Put together a list of pros and cons, talk it over with whomever you need to, and make the decision that is ultimately the best for YOU.

Its just scary..... Im soooo afraid to have this ostomy reverse just to find out I am still incontient. Everything i have read has been people with unsuccessful surgeries. Ughhhh so distressing.