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Having j-pouch surgery Sept 11!

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 8/19/2009 4:26 PM (GMT 0)
i went to my surgeon yesterday with my wife and my mom, and he agreed i need the surgery, we scheduled it for sept 11 of this year. I dont have any anemia at this time, however, am a jehovahs witness and do not accept blood transfusions, so just as a precaution, the dr is having me give myself Epogen injections for 10 days before surgery, it will boost my RBC production..

he said i will be off work for 3 months, i will not go back to work in between the two surgeries, and if all goes well, i will be feeling fine for the baby being born in january!

i am getting laid off from my job, but found out i get to stay till march 26, 2010...just enought time to get this surgery paid for! and i am hoping to get approved for short term disability pay while i am out;

Posted 8/19/2009 4:32 PM (GMT 0)
Best of Luck in your surgery. If the pouch works well you will feel much better. At first, it can be really tough especially while you
await the reversal of the ileostomy. Be patient with yourself. I have a J-pouch, and I was doing much better. I am having some slight problems and have needed to go on some medications, even so, I am still much better off today than I was prior to the surgery. I feel better and I can control my bowel movements. My nurse practitioner has had a J-pouch for 12 years and is doing great. Remember to have faith and really take care of yourself and your pouch after the surgery.
Posted 8/19/2009 5:40 PM (GMT 0)
I hope all goes well for you! Do I recall that you are in Oklahoma? If so, who is your surgeon and what hospital will you use? I live in North Central Oklahoma. You'll have to let us know how it all goes!
Posted 8/19/2009 6:18 PM (GMT 0)
That's great news!! :-)
Posted 8/19/2009 6:37 PM (GMT 0)
yes i live in Coweta, ok, near tulsa, the surgeon is Dr. Craig Johnson with Surgical Associates. ive heard he is the best..
Posted 8/20/2009 12:02 AM (GMT 0)
Good luck, keep us all posted. I am having surgery in January, it works out better for my business to take my time off in the winter, after the holidays. My surgeon says that as long as I start back with smaller dogs (I am a mobile dog groomer) I can expect to be back to work within 4-5 weeks of the first step. If I don't work I don't make money, so taking the time off between surgeries as well just doesn't make sense for me. In fact, if I don't mind the bag too much I may wait awhile longer for take down to as not to inconvenience my clients too quickly. We'll see how it goes and how I feel.

Post all about how you feel and how it's going!!

Meesh
Posted 8/20/2009 12:45 AM (GMT 0)
I had complications with the the reversal but apparently only 1% do, lucky me! Even so, the surgery was the best thing I have ever done. Good luck! I am really enjoying my jpouch!!!!
Posted 8/20/2009 1:43 PM (GMT 0)
Good luck with your surgery. I had my colon removed Oct 20, 2008 and my Jpouch was connected Jan 21, 2009. Be aware that complication can occur and recovery can be much longer than expected. After my first surgery I had a blockage and then became dehydrated. I was in the hospital for 22 days. I was planning to go back to work between surgeries but was unable to. I was off work a total of 7 months. The last few months have been good and I can finally say that it was worth it. Your young age is on your side.

Take care,
Posted 8/20/2009 3:18 PM (GMT 0)
glaciergirl, its good to know you are enjoying it so soon after surgery, that gives me hope! =)

 

oh and if u guys want, i can keep u updated while i am in the hospital...this website helped me make the decision so maybe i can help someone else, you can ask me anything too!

Posted 8/20/2009 3:24 PM (GMT 0)
Hi! I read about the jpouch surgery a lot on this site and I have a question for you. At what point did you decide to go ahead with the surgery? It seems like such a huge decsion....I have had UC for 12 years now and these last few years have been the worst. I am really curious as to why/when/how people make the choice to have this surgery.

Thanks! and Good Luck!
Posted 8/20/2009 3:38 PM (GMT 0)
it was pretty quick actually, for the last few years my dr has asked me if i would consider the surgery, but i said no, cause i didnt think i was that bad and it scared me..
i probably would never have decided, but we are having our first child, and i have been thinking alot...one, i miss ALOT of work, which it is protected by FMLA but still its money i dont make, i am tired of just living with the pain everytime i sit down in the restroom...me and my wife were talking and EVERY trip we have gone on together i have been sick in some way, last year i had pneumonia for 2 months and missed work the whole time, and i threw up everything i ate, all related to UC..but the biggest thing is, i want to be healthy for my baby, i dont want to be a sickly dad who is always reserved and wondering when i will flair again;
i am getting a tiny nervous now that its a sure thing and we are just waiting on the day to come, in about 3 weeks...but i am going to stick with my decision, especially hearing how people, including one of my friends say this surgery was the best decision they ever made and they kick themself for not doing it sooner =)
Posted 8/20/2009 3:46 PM (GMT 0)
I am very happy for you Ruissar! I know you are looking forward to being all fixed up for your new baby. You are going to enjoy it so much. Way to go.
Posted 8/20/2009 7:24 PM (GMT 0)
thanks for all ur support!
Posted 8/21/2009 6:23 AM (GMT 0)
Great news. You sound happy and positive. I am sure things will go smoothly and you will be here after your surgery telling us that you wish you had done it sooner. smilewinkgrin
Posted 8/21/2009 2:04 PM (GMT 0)
Sounds like everything is coming together for you. You can focus on your health, and not even worry about the job! Well, I guess that situation could be better. But everything works out for the best, in my experience. Hopefully by next March the economy will turn around, and you'll be healthy with a new baby, and ready to take on the world.
Posted 8/26/2009 1:10 AM (GMT 0)
Congratulations! I'm fresh out of surgery #1 of 3 for my j-pouch. I'll have to have the ostomy for 6 months or so instead of the 3 that I was hoping for but I know I'm much better already.
Posted 8/26/2009 5:10 AM (GMT 0)

ducridr said...
Congratulations! I'm fresh out of surgery #1 of 3 for my j-pouch. I'll have to have the ostomy for 6 months or so instead of the 3 that I was hoping for but I know I'm much better already.

Wow, goodluck to you!! You seem to have such a positive view and you just had surgery the other day. It is people like you who make me realize that if I do need surgery one day, I can handle it and it will only lead me to a better life.

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