Hello and Goodbye - Colectomy over and done with

Its been quite a while since my last post.

Last time I wrote on this forum was about August last year. I had extremely severe UC and had landed in hospital; a few hours away from death.

My UC was unable to be controlled and my choices were rather limited, if you could call them choices... They were a) laproscopic colectomy, b) emergency colectomy (non-laproscopic with large scars) once I was unable to make the decision for myself, or c) death.

So after fighting this stupid disease for 12 n a half years, I lost.

What I now ask myself 10 months down the track, is WHY DIDN'T I DO THIS SOONER!

I know the reasons. Mostly because I'm vain. And I really didn't like the idea of having a stoma and the required bag... And I also have an allergy to pain...

As I was single at the time (sound familiar), I was also scared that I would have trouble finding a partner due to my aforementioned bag.

All of these worries were foolish.

I now eat and drink what I want. I go out clubbing, go out to dinner with my friends, I have a wonderful partner, awesome sex, the stoma and bag REALLY aren't a problem and the best bits; I now look REALLY hot and better still, I can sleep an entire night through without having to go to the toilet every half-hour.

I am writing this for those who are considering a colectomy, or for those who are about to have a colectomy forced on them by circumstance.

If you want to talk, feel free to email me. I live in Australia and my email address is djseverin at gmail dot com.

Best of luck to you all!

--Sev

Awesome!! I am loving all these happy colectomy stories! Thank you for sharing.

AKM77 - Hey'ya. Been a while. Still catching up on how everyone's going. Colectomy was scary as all hell, but my life is amasing now.

Judilyn - Thanks for the thoughts I have been so busy since the operation catching up on the 6 years of life I missed out on I haven't really been on the net other then for work. Hope you are doing well!

supersaw - Once UC becomes terminally chronic (fulminant), the immune response increases until the point where the bowel is so fragile it desintegrates. Due to its uselessness for its base function: to transfer water and nutrients into the blood stream and keep unwated substances out, you die of either dehydration (this was my case); starvation; or toxic megacolon. See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulcerative_colitis#Severity_of_disease

Hey Quincy

I am not going to go ahead with the j-pouch surgery. I was considering it, but when I looked at it objectively with my family, friends and partner, it became apparent it was due to my vanity and other then looking good, had no other purpose.

The only further surgery I need to complete is to have the rectal stump removed at some stage. This is also done via laproscope, and thus is not really that major. Estimate recovery time is around 4 weeks from start to finish. So compared to the colectomy, its a walk in the park. Also, there is no great rush to have this done.

Just about to sit down to dinner. Tandoori chicken salad, with a side of bruchetta and white wine to wash it down. 10 months ago, such a meal would have been a week of pain!

--Sev

Hi Severin, I have been wondering what happened to you. I’m glad to hear you are doing well. I also had surgery last October 20. I couldn’t stand the Ostomy and had my jpouched connected January 21. I had a rough time with surgery and was off work for about 7 months. I’m doing much better now.

Wonderful to hear you are so much happier. It seems like everyone who has had surgery has only positive things to say about their life afterwards. It makes me feel like if I have to make the decision, maybe it would result in a positive change and I feel less scared about the future. I am happy to hear youre doing so well. I hope you continue to feel great.

YAY for being healthy!!!

Dont think of getting an ileo as losing or giving up, think of it as taking control and kicking UCs butt! You are literally taking your old colon out to the trash!

Anyway, glad you are happy and doing well. I am super happy after surgery, and like most people have no idea why i didnt do it sooner!