Bratcat is doing great. She never loved her ostomy but learned to live with it for the 4 months she had it. She called her colon Annie Moore (as in "is there any more that has to come out") and then named her stoma "Seymour" because you "see more" with it. The beginning weeks were hard for her. I think partly because she had been in remission when she had her surgery so she really felt worse for awhile rather than better. The first few weeks she would feel a burning sensation when the stoma outputted. As she ate more food, it went away. It took awhile to learn to change her bag so she didn't leak. Luckily she never had any irritations. The one thing we noticed with her during the entire 4 months was that she would get an ache in her upper back if she stood for a long period of time and she would get out of breath if she walked alot. But she just adjusted to it for the time being. Her surgery was in July and in October she marched in homecoming. We went to see a Broadway show while she had her ostomy. She went to friends' houses and pool parties (although she didn't swim).
Her life is back to the way she was (even better) than before UC. She had an awesome senior year. She missed very little school (and none because of her stomach). She participated in jazz ensemble, brass ensemble, a few other music groups, several clubs, part-time work, etc. She sleeps through the night (probably gets up to urinate but she's always done that). I just asked her how often she goes to the bathroom a day. She says probably 3 times just for a bowel movement but total of maybe 7 times because she urinates alot (she drinks a lot of seltzer a day, always has). When she urinates, she poops a bit. But she can also hold it if necessary and can definitely wait to find a bathroom. No pain, no urgency, no pressure. She says it is somewhat formed. Foods can change the form of it. She doesn't think much about how often she uses the bathroom because, as I said, she would probably be in there just because of the amount of seltzer she drinks.
As for food, she can eat pretty much anything she wants. Italian food sometimes bothers her stomach but she still eats it. Maybe not as often but if she wants it, she knows what to expect after. She lives on Subway (it was the one thing that she could eat as she was recovering from flares). She's pretty much given up fast food but I think partly because she must have IBS to that type of food. Honestly she is much healthier now. She goes out with friends and never has trouble finding something on the menu. She munches on snacks with friends (potato chips generally bother her).
She is going to college next year. She is staying home but that has nothing to do with being sick. She never wanted to go away to school. In fact she chose her classes yesterday. Four days a week and they all start at 8AM. She could never have done that with UC.
Ask any questions you want. If I can answer them, I will. If I can get Bratcat on to answer, I will.