let me add this to my post
do not ever think of surgery as giving up!
i see that alot in posts and hear people say that, and thats not what it is at all!
Its taking control of the disease, its kicking that colon out (literally!) it doesnt want you, so why do you want it?
Its the ultimate form of winning!
I think alot of people put off surgery because they feel like they are giving up, or that surgery makes them weak somehow.