Hi Sandee,
I've CD for about 8 years. the first three wasnt too bad but the next five were real ugly because I developed fistulas on my butt. about six all together. I had two seton surgeries and then a temp ileostomy last year, but they woldnt get better, they kept getting worse, to the point that my bottom was one big open fistula. I have been on about every kind of med and still nothing. so i had to choose between being sick or having the ileostomy forever. So I had my colon and rectom removed last month on May 6th. I am doing alot better now, I didnt think i was ever going to heal from the surgery but I am recovering good now. I still have an open wound on my bottom where the cut out all the dead tissue form the fistulas and that is doing good, i still have to have it packed twice a day , its not bad though because it doesnt hurt. I hate having the bag but I Love not being sick. So I guess the pay off is worth it.
Like Cindy said its so great to be able to do things and not have to worry about the impossible urge to run to a bathroom. There are days that I feel so good because I can enjoy life now and its all because of my own little personal porta potty.