Out of work after 1st surgery...

Hi Katie,
At the time of my surgeries I was a stay home mom. (Now I work pt). I had a two step j pouch procedure. The first step kicked my butt and honestly I wouldn't have been able to go to a job after that for at least 6 weeks. Step two I would have been fine to return to work after two weeks recovery time. Both surgeries start to finish took 4 months time.

It really depends too what you're having done: permanent ileostomy, a two step j pouch or a three step j pouch. All require different amounts of time. :)

It depends. I would say it's 50/50.

Two steps are done a lot but so are three steps. I was off prednisone for quite a while so I think that's why my surgeon was comfortable with a two step. People who are really ill and on pred usually have a three step. I was however in pretty sad shape going into surgery.

Well, I hope your job understands if it comes to that for you. Good luck. If you have any questions after your consult, feel free to ask away.

I took six weeks at home after each of my first two surgeries. However, I had been out of work on disability already for about two months before my first surgery, so it took extra time for me to regain the strength just to, say, walk up a flight of stairs, or sit at a desk for eight hours. My job is also pretty active/client facing, so I had to be ready to go out to lunch, etc when I went back. I bounced back VERY quickly from takedown and only took about 2.5 weeks for that.

Optimistically -- I think it would be possible to go back to a part time desk job within three weeks or so (after the "big" surgeries, which would be steps 1 and 2 of a three-step, or step 1 of a two-step), assuming you have no complications. But that's a big IF... most people experience some kind of complication with at least one of the surgeries. It's the nature of the beast, they are major, complex procedures.

You might be pleasantly surprised and be able to go back quickly, but you can't really count on it, unfortunately. Since you're insured through your husband's job, would it really be the end of the world if you lost your part time job? As I find myself saying often on these threads... these surgeries are about changing your body for the rest of your life. Jobs, vacations, parties, etc pass, but your j-pouch will be forever (knock wood).

I had three step. 1st colon removal w/end ileostomy, three weeks of and I was ready to go back. I'm a cashier pt 20hrs week.

Step two j-pouch built w/ loop ileostomy, 5 weeks off. I go back mon. I had more pain with this step but need the money. I'm off pain meds though and live three four blocks from work. So no travel time.

Everyone is different. Just talk with your boss and let them know. They should work with you.

I was out of work for 3 weeks, for each surgery (2-step). I have a desk job and had been off pain meds since leaving the hospital.

Anything is possible but you won't know your recovery until you get there. I hope you don't lose your job; since you love it, I'm hoping your employer values you too.

Sue

I was really sick by the time I had my surgical consultation but the surgeon that I wanted was so busy that he couldn't operate on me for 6 weeks. If I had emergency surgery then I may have ended up with a surgeon who wasn't as experienced as the surgeon that I had.

Im not super worried or anything... just realized I should probably get some things in order, if it going to be a possibility.

Surgeon is great, hospital super, ill lose my job, pain pills are nice right now, recovery is gunna suck cuz I have barely any support and no family in the area, temporary bag scares the crap out of me... but it is what it is... and im afraid of a j-pouch too. I assume ill have constant pouchitis cuz I have terrible luck.

There are so many things to worry about. Complications IS one of them.
and with complications comes the risk of death.
I atleast should make sure I have a POA for health. Incase im a vegetable, etc etc.

Eh.
im too young to deal with this crap.

Im not really that scared. Im just being realistic.

Ill know more in a month. Remicade doesn't seem to be doing anything. And my colon cant really wait much longer. Blood is back full force. I shudder to think ill be bed ridden again. I felt better for 2 weeks after 1st remi and a 4 day hospital stay.

I will be freaking ecstatic to not have UC anymore.

Hell... even if double remi and Uceris work... any sign of a slip and im ready.
I was this broken organ out of me. I miss my life.

Not sure when the consult is yet. I was just put on Uceris and getting 3rd Remi dose tomorrow.
Hoping Uceris will keep symptoms down to give Remi a chance.
If after a month I am still majorly flaring (or flaring at all really) we might do a double dose of Remi and give that a try.

My referral process was started yesterday for the consult. So I'm not sure exactly when I will be going to Madison to talk to the surgeon.

blueglass said...
It's not good to label yourself as someone with bad luck and then assume bad things will happen..... personally, I think anyone with truly bad luck is already dead, as there are so many freak things that can kill a person.... you really can get better -- can be very hard to believe when you've been really sick for a long time, but a lot of us got much better than we every imagined we'd be again.

This, but moreover, a lot of people with UC that doesn't respond to meds who get surgery think, "5% of j-pouches fail, I will definitely be in that 5% because I've already had the odds against me and been one of the few people who don't respond to any meds." Well, guess what, almost everyone who has a j-pouch was one of those unlucky people to begin with. You might feel like the unluckiest person among UC patients, but among people with j-pouches (or ostomies), you are probably just average!