HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Difficult decision made – J Pouch Surgery July 14th

Support Forums
>
Ostomies
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 7/6/2006 2:24 AM (GMT 0)
After 15 yrs of coping with UC, the side effects of meds, and the severe impact this disease has had on my life, I have chosen to have J Pouch surgery. The first of 3 operations is July 14. I want to thank all of those who have gone before me and shared their experiences. I have learned a lot from you. I see a light at the end of the tunnel, but it's not a small one anymore, it's the train with the 3 big lights!

Shelley
Posted 7/6/2006 7:21 AM (GMT 0)
All the very best Shelley - my second op was also the 14th, but has now been brought forward to tomorrow so I am really excited and looking forward to it. I had my first op in emergency and probably would still be suffering with UC if not - but it was the best thing that could have happened even though I am prepared for some difficulties before starting the final stage. Good luck and keep in touch.
Posted 7/6/2006 1:24 PM (GMT 0)

Shelley,

Good luck on your surgery!  I know how hard the decision is to make.  My life is so good today and I owe it to a skilled surgeon and the decision to end the cycle of flares.  Get well and get out and enjoy life again!

Sue

Posted 7/6/2006 2:07 PM (GMT 0)

Good Luck on your surgery today Gillian.  Keep in touch.  

Sue, I've read a lot of your posts.  You've given me hope and inspiration.  That's quite a list in your 'signature'!  I can't wait until this happens.  Tomorrow I go to the pre-admission clinic and I'm sure that will relieve some anxiety.  Did you have the edpidural or the morphine pump for pain?  I am still undecided.   

Shelley

Posted 7/6/2006 3:21 PM (GMT 0)

Shelley,

I opted for the morphine pump.  I had an experimental (at that time) local anesthetic called "on cue".  It was a vial of lidocaine attached to my leg that fed directly into the incision.  I credit this device for getting me off morphine 12 hours after surgery.  It's a bit messy but very effective.  You can ask your surgeon if he uses it.

Sue

Posted 7/17/2006 9:20 AM (GMT 0)
Hi all - I am just back home after second op - but still have bag - it's all a bit complicated but I will now have the reversal around end September - because I went in in emergency in February, they couldn't do all they wanted and have to do it in 3 stages. Shame for me but still progressing to the final goal. At least I have lost one of the bags (I had a sigmoidoscopy and ileostomy before). They took all my rectum but managed to keep the anus and muscle so I have some control (lose clear liquid each time I go for a pee) which is a relief. To be honest I don't know why they told me this might be the last op - they only contstructed the pouch during this one and I can't see that they would connect up the system immediately but apparently they do sometimes here in Belgium if everything is working well. Anyway, another few months with the bag, but only one!

I had the epidural this time - never again! Was ok the first 12 hours after that excrutiating pain and nurses couldn't make the decision to give me morphine and all the anaesthestists in the op theatre - had to wait 6 hours. Awful - I will not even try the epidural next time. They think it got twisted or blocked.

Hundreds of staples and still v weak - but can't wait for the next op! Good luck with yours Shelley - you will still be in hospital - let us know how it goes when you are up to it.
Posted 9/7/2006 11:23 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Gillian,

I generally post on the Crohn's forum, but I was hopeful for some info I don't have. I have an ostomy. I have just heard of the j-pouch. Is this the one that is connect down below where everything can still appear normal? I have a young lady who is facing a colostomy, and is terribly frightened, especially because she will have the stoma up front, and a bag hanging in front and it all seems so awful to her. (I am actually proud of mine! I was bed bound for two years before the doctors found out what was wrong and fixed me! So now I have freedom.) Ny little friend has a very young daughter, and her husband is away at work (in China) and she is so afraid that if she has this surgery, it will be unfair to her husband and her daughter. I felt, if the j-pouch is what I think it is, that she would still appear normal to others and maybe that would be better for her. Is the j-pouch reversable? If her intestines heal up enough, could she be "put back together"?

Thanks so much for your information.

God bless and stay well,

Maddi

Posted 9/14/2006 11:18 PM (GMT 0)
Hey, It's great to hear thateveryone has done so well here!! I've had the first 2 surgeries and go back for my third on Tuesday September 19 this year. It's been a tough raod to recovery but for the first time since I was in highschool I actually feel energy running through my body. When you're sick you feel a lack of self confidence, like you have something to hide, and you don't feel whole as a person. I used to be so outgoing, but the last few years, I've really hidden away from the crowd, but now I'm starting to get all of that back. And I know after this last surgery, I'll feel all the more confident. I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one out there. reading everyones' posts on this page is really encouraging.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply