for those of you contemplating surgery ....

DO IT! This is going to sound stupid, but for the first time in my life I was able to drive down into Manhattan for my post op and not have to worry about the various pit stops I would have to make along the way or even worse the accidents I used to have frequently. Not only that, I was able to have a cup of coffee after I parked for the walk to the doctor's office. If I had tried that, I wouldn't even had made it out of the establishment that sold me the coffee. I might as well have just poured it into my pants. I still have pains, but man, I feel like a million bucks. My life is back and I told that to my surgeon. He was very happy and he is looking foward to doing the reversal in a few months. Things are good folks, and for those contemplating it .... yeah, there are risks, little bumps along the way, but it is so worth it. God bless you all for being there for me helping me through the bad times. Love you all. You are all a great bunch of people. Have a great weekend! I know I am ... going to a BBQ w/o diapers tomorrow ;)

- A

Thats great to hear man. Im setting mine up this winter so its easier to hide with clothes and I can try to enjoy summer.

     So glad to hear this Anthony.  Yesterday was a good day for me as was this morning.  I started to have doubts as to whether I was making the right decision to go ahead with the perm. ileo.  Thinking...geez, maybe I didn't give the Humira a fighting chance,  started it March 24th.  I said some prayers to guide me in the right direction.  Well...lol....my prayers were answered sure enough after lunch.  My husband and I started to walk around the block...wham...the "urge" hit and if it weren't for my wearing a kotex pad (long past those days, now only wear them for rectum issues), I would have had the poo going down my legs..ugh...sorry to sound so gross but you can understand.  Now I have the pressure back in the rectum too.....sooooo...I KNOW now...I did make the right decision.

     My surgeon wasn't keen on my having the j-pouch because of my age but since I have no qualms about wearing a bag and the perm. ileo is much easier on my system, I am going for it.  I know it will take some getting used to, but living like this is the pits.

     Keep us up to date with everything Anthony...I'll keep praying for you to get healthier every day!!!

I have my consultation Monday with the surgeon. Kinda anxious but every time I read a story like yours it only reminds that there isn't anything to worry about.
Personally I think it will be kinda cool; the fact that I won't have to worry about bathrooms is a big plus. Also the fact that I can start having real food again and being able to not cancel plans constantly.
I'm just hoping that I have an awesome surgeon and that the hospital I will be at is good.

I wish you could see the smile on my face reading your post. I almost teared up as well.

So glad to see someone celebrate a victory. Keep us updated on the reversal when it comes.

I can't agree more.
I had my surgery 7 weeks ago. I stayed in a semi-private room in the hospital. My room-mate had her take-down surgery and she had numerous diarrheas everyday after the surgery. Her doctor said she would have diarrheas/numerous BMs in the first 6 months. I gave her my Depend pull-up diapers the day she went home. She wanted to try different brands of diapers.
I opted for an permanent ileostomy. I don't want to undergo another 1 or 2 surgeries. And I don't want to rush for the washroom any more. Never.

I read your remark about the coffee to my husband, I thought it was funny, it made him sad. Sad that we suffer like that (or did).

Hey Anthony congrats on feeling better! if you dont mind me asking, who do you see in manhattan? I go to the Jill Roberts Center for IBD @Cornell on the upper east side.