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One year today since surgery!

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 6/25/2011 1:21 PM (GMT 0)
Today is my one year anniversary of having my 1st step of surgery for my UC. I am happy to say I'm UC free and doing really well. I haven't felt this good since before I was diagnosed with UC. My UC was severe and I didn't respond to any of the drugs so I really didn't have much of a choice.

I know this post doesn't apply to most folks on here b/c they can control their UC with meds and diet but for those of you who are like I was....really, really ill and not responding well to the meds, I just want to say that surgery is not the end of the world (that's how I felt) if you are facing it. It really was a blessing in disguise and I am so thankful for it.

Posted 6/25/2011 2:31 PM (GMT 0)
Congratulations on healing and getting better. I hope you have many, many good years UC free!
Posted 6/25/2011 3:13 PM (GMT 0)
hi i m also suffering from ulcerative colitis from 6 years
Posted 6/25/2011 3:15 PM (GMT 0)
i m taking medicine 100mg azathioprine pr day . 800 mg asacol 3 times in a day
Posted 6/25/2011 3:20 PM (GMT 0)

 

Congratulations glad to hear you are doing so well!!!!!!

I also thought having surgery was the end of world for my 15 year old daughter,  It was the best thing for her she is just 3 months post-0p and doing great.  All the meds also failed her.  Hopefully next year I can be posting on her one year and have the same results as you have had bye bye uc.

Posted 6/25/2011 7:22 PM (GMT 0)
It still applies to us regarding your experiences and support.

Awesome you're doing well!!
q
Posted 6/25/2011 7:37 PM (GMT 0)
Nice, and so good to hear!
Posted 6/25/2011 10:39 PM (GMT 0)
A good news story is always great to read. Very happy for you.
Posted 6/25/2011 10:49 PM (GMT 0)
Out of interest you had the reversal. Is there any chance you can just get the j-pouch done in a oner? without getting the bag, like I'd rather full open surgery as long as I don't get bag?
Posted 6/26/2011 1:24 AM (GMT 0)
Congratulations! I like hearing positive surgery stories. They make me feel like if it comes to that it will all be OK. :o)
Posted 6/26/2011 2:01 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone! wink

tank89: You you can have this surgery done in one step, however, you have to find a surgeon that is willing and has experience doing 1 steps. The surgeon I chose only does 2 and 3 step procedures. You run less of a chance of complications if it's done in steps. But there are people that have it all done in 1 step and are perfectly fine.

The bag isn't really all that bad knowing it's just temporary. :)

Posted 6/26/2011 3:23 AM (GMT 0)
That is so great to know! I'm so happy for you. I'm sure there are many of us on here struggling with our meds and considering surgery so it means a lot to hear positive feedback. Thank you! Here's to having continued good health!!! And more importantly having no more UC!!!
Lana
Posted 6/26/2011 3:26 AM (GMT 0)
Happy new birthday!!!
Posted 6/26/2011 5:36 AM (GMT 0)
WAIT A MINUTE! I have a question! You can get rid of UC completely through surgery? If so, why doesn't everyone just get surgery? Why deal with potentially developing another flare up in the future? I want to get rid of my UC for good!
Posted 6/26/2011 7:52 AM (GMT 0)
Gina..Be serious already....why would we have surgery if we don't need it?

Let us know how YOUR surgery goes.

q
Posted 6/26/2011 8:58 AM (GMT 0)

ByeByeUC said...
Thanks everyone! [img]/community/emoticons/wink.gif[/img]


tank89: You you can have this surgery done in one step, however, you have to find a surgeon that is willing and has experience doing 1 steps. The surgeon I chose only does 2 and 3 step procedures. You run less of a chance of complications if it's done in steps. But there are people that have it all done in 1 step and are perfectly fine.

The bag isn't really all that bad knowing it's just temporary. :)

I get what your saying I suppose, how much does the bag wreck your abdomen though, because the intestine is pulled thru to the surface does this mean the abdominal muscles are damaged? Really just don't want a bag. The scars I can tattoo over.
Posted 6/26/2011 11:23 AM (GMT 0)
tank89:

Believe me, I understand about not wanting the ostomy. I don't know where you live but I know there are surgeons at Mt. Siani hospital in NYC that are excellent and do one step procedures.

No, it didn't hurt my abdomen muscles at all. I can barely even see my scars now. My stomache muscles are definately weaker now and I need to work on that but no damage done at all. Nothing a few thousand sits ups won't fix! ;)

Posted 6/26/2011 12:05 PM (GMT 0)
Gina, obviously a life with a colon is better than one without, but when ones UC never goes away, then having the colon out is much better than suffering with UC. Plus sugery has potential risks, for the short and long term.

Byebyeuc, I am so happy to hear you are doing well. Your story makes me feel very optimistic.
Posted 6/26/2011 9:16 PM (GMT 0)
Congratulations!!!! Always nice to hear a success story. It is encouraging to those of us who may be facing surgery in the future. Thank you for posting, and I am so happy for you.
Posted 6/26/2011 9:57 PM (GMT 0)
I really just didn't know. I'm not very knowledgable on the issue. A lot of my friends have just been telling me to get surgery and I didn't know what to say because I know surgery is a BIG deal but if it gets rid of the UC then I mean why not? But now I somewhat understand I suppose.
Posted 6/26/2011 11:47 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Gina,

Yes, surgery is a BIG deal but if your quality of life is in the toilet (no pun intended) like mine was then it can be a blessing. My family and friends begged me for 2 years to have surgery but I wasn't ready at that time. You kind of have to get to the point where you just can't take it anymore and then you just know it's the right decision.

No matter how you look at it, it just stinks to have to make these tough decisions. Not with just surgery, but even with the meds too. If surgery is something you really think about, then it's best to go talk with a colorectal surgeon and get all the facts. Best wishes! :)
Posted 6/27/2011 3:30 AM (GMT 0)
Gina since my own surgery I wonder a lot why everyone doesn't do it. But its a personal thing.
But if you are tired of uc and ready to beat the disease and take your life back thenit may be time to talk to a surgeon.
Posted 6/27/2011 6:26 AM (GMT 0)
Everyone doesn't do it because everyone doesn't need it....makes no sense to wonder.

But...of those who are suffering regarding quality of life and pooing their pants and cannot get their UC under control with any meds...I would ask the same question, for eventually they'll more than likely have it.

q
Posted 6/27/2011 11:31 AM (GMT 0)
thanks for sharing, very encouraging to me as I just had surgery and am still hoping I made the right decision!
Posted 6/27/2011 1:37 PM (GMT 0)
If your UC is not bad and is controlled by the least toxic of drugs I would defintley not rush into surgery but if your UC is not controlled and are constantly flaring and havng to take predisone and remicade, why would you want to put those toxic meds in your body? I mean I'm not better, I've been there and done it  but only for a very short time. I guess I'm not really a live in the moment kind of person and always looking into the long term. Predisone even short term left me with osteopororis. An ostomy is a cure! a J-pouch you still might have problems but it is much better controlled. Either way this disease is a lot of work and life change.  Even with all my problems I am so much healthier with a pouch than UC. I could have framed my last blood work. Sometimes I cry reading some of these posts.  Congats on your one year aniversary and your continued good health!

 

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