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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 5/20/2014 4:44 PM (GMT 0)
Today I had my last appt. with my surgeon- everything is great, the butt wound is filling in nicely, stoma is fine, no problems or issues at all. With anything! So, no more surgeon appt's, no more GI appt's, no more medications... bizarre! Since my surgery, 5 short weeks ago, I've been living like a different person- out every AM, early- like 7:30ish! Eating big meals- well, really normal size- but to me, after barely eating for the past decade, they seem huge. No accidents, no urgency, I empty the bag maybe 6x a day??? Don't have to get up at night to empty, been sleeping a good 8-9 hours a night. Leave the house at the drop of a hat, no "What if???" I can remember before surgery, thinking "UC has been my defining factor for over 10 years- without it, who will I be?"... Crazy thinking, huh? Now, I'm ME again. Just me. It's not that I "miss" UC, no way... I am going to see my GI one last time before we wrap things up, I want to thank him for all his help. So I don't know why it's bittersweet, but... it just is! Hard to believe, huh? Can any of you picture your lives without UC? I couldn't, for so long. I'm at peace, finally. Ciao, my friends! :-)
Posted 5/20/2014 4:52 PM (GMT 0)
Yay, Eva! This makes me really, really happy to read.

Also, stories like yours are a big reason that I'm pretty sure that if the treatments all fail me, and I'm having to miss out on stuff/make big adjustments in my life because of UC, I'll pull the surgery trigger pretty quickly. Sure, not all surgical outcomes are this good, but it seems that the majority really are.
Posted 5/20/2014 5:02 PM (GMT 0)
Glad things are going so well, congrats :-)
Posted 5/20/2014 5:06 PM (GMT 0)
Eva,

I bet that you feel healthy again too. Because I feel so much healthier without my diseased colon that was poisoning me and all the UC meds. My GI told me that after the colectomy that I'd wake up feeling like the "Monster is out of your body", he was so correct in his statement.

I'm sleeping through the nights now too, it's been a long time since I was able to sleep through the night.
Posted 5/20/2014 5:27 PM (GMT 0)
Congratulations!!! Thanks for posting this. Inspires me and gives me hope for a "normal" life.
Posted 5/20/2014 5:30 PM (GMT 0)
Though we may have vastly differing opinions on surgery, I am glad you are doing well and happy with your decision.
Posted 5/20/2014 5:33 PM (GMT 0)
if'n it aint broke, don't go a fixin it -

if'n it is, git that sucker the hell out !

awesome EL !
Posted 5/20/2014 5:46 PM (GMT 0)
Congrats! So glad you are feeling good and able to resume a full life!
Posted 5/20/2014 6:18 PM (GMT 0)
So, no more surgeon appt's, no more GI appt's, no more medications...

I am going to see my GI one last time before we wrap things up, I want to thank him for all his help.

So FREAKING AWESOME. These two statements I'm so jealous of, If it were me I would be repeating these lines over and over again just because I wouldn't believe it. Unless I end up going the same route as you one day the only time I will be uttering those words I will be on my death bed.

I'm so happy for you, go out and live life to fullest.
Posted 5/20/2014 6:23 PM (GMT 0)
Good to hear!....it must be wonderful for your family to have you back.
Posted 5/20/2014 6:28 PM (GMT 0)
Fantastic. Don't be a stranger.
Posted 5/20/2014 6:53 PM (GMT 0)
Wow, Eva Lou. That is wonderful! I hope you will still stop in here from time to time. Enjoy your UC free life!
B
Posted 5/20/2014 6:55 PM (GMT 0)
yeah   yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
Posted 5/20/2014 7:06 PM (GMT 0)
right, everybody- I truly feel like that little dancing smiley guy! AWESOME!!!! I get such satisfaction out of NOT refilling my stupid pill case daily! And only going to the doctor when I'm sick?!?! Unheard of! Best decision ever, seriously. Not to push surgery onto anyone- heck, it took me 8 years to finally be ready for it. But I simply CANNOT get over how much better I feel- like 15 years has been taken off this body. My GI always said "You don't feel fine, you're sick"... and I would laugh it off. You live with an illness for so long that it becomes the norm, & that is just not right. Now, I can't believe I waited so long. Even my surgeon said to me today "You're healthy!". What??? Who, me?!?!? The bag is really nothing- I no longer notice it, it doesn't interfere with clothing, it takes barely 5 minutes in the bathroom to empty, it doesn't smell any worse than any other poop, I've had zero leaks, zero skin problems, & I change everything once a week. Which takes all of 5 minutes. In my head I had built it up, the surgery & ileostomy, into this huge, scary, dark monster looming over me. Now, I find it's like being outside for hours on a sunny day, riding in a convertible, drinking an icy cold beer.... my WOCN nurse says "An ostomy is for living". When I first heard I thought "So corny..." But she's on to something. I still check this forum pretty much daily, but really- so little applies to me that it's as if I'm checking the prostate cancer forum! I'm female! I hope all of you suffering find relief, somehow, someday! And if it comes to a surgical outcome- don't be afraid, or depressed, or feel like you're giving up. It really is quite liberating. I know not everyone has such good outcomes, but I think going into this electively made all the difference. And it is bittersweet- closing this chapter of my life. Onto bigger & better things!
Posted 5/20/2014 7:46 PM (GMT 0)
Great news!
Posted 5/20/2014 7:53 PM (GMT 0)
Is the bittersweet because you are concerned you will miss obsessing over your former disease? I am starting to think the worse thing about UC is you get sucked into using it as a crutch and it becomes you. Habits are hard to break.

Now you can give up on kefir and become a obsessed dieter like all the "normals".
Posted 5/20/2014 8:03 PM (GMT 0)
are you leaving us? It feels like you got through surgery and healing really quickly. I am amazed by how great you sound :) I am happy for you.
Posted 5/20/2014 8:49 PM (GMT 0)
AZYooper, you hit the nail on the head- after being on the forum for many years, I swear there are a lot of folks who relish the idea of a chronic illness... they let it define them, & that's it- nothing more. I don't know if people are lacking in other areas of their lives- social relationships, work, hobbies, etc. Even when I was really sick, I'd get bored with UC- it's just boring.... no one likes to talk about the bathroom 24/7. I suppose I can find something more fun to obsess over, keep my semi-OCD side happy! Not diets, however! I am loving eating to gain weight.
Posted 5/20/2014 10:16 PM (GMT 0)
Doin' the happy dance for Eva Lou! Go, enjoy your life!
Posted 5/21/2014 1:25 AM (GMT 0)
So happy for you Eva!!!Enjoy the UC free life !!! Thanks for sharing your experience....makes me little more comfortable to the "S" word!!!
Posted 5/21/2014 1:34 AM (GMT 0)
Wow. This post literally brought tears to my eyes. Each time I read a bit or went to post I'd start crying again. I'm just so happy for you, but honestly? Jealous. You really touched on all that we miss out on/deal with having uc.

I'm thrilled that you're embracing your stoma/bag and choosing to look at the bright side and all the freedom it gives you. I understand if you don't want to hang out on the UC board anymore but I hope you will pop in to the ostomy board. Your positive outlook could really help some people :-)

Get out there and live life!!! You lucky bugger!!!
Posted 5/21/2014 2:33 AM (GMT 0)
Me too, tearing up like crazy. Happy for you, hurting for my baby...living like it is my disease and that I personally have to find the answer. My side of the family, my pain too.
Sometime you have to embrace the light. Move on, take the lumps and the light at the end of the tunnel is just that...light. A new happy ending. Hugs to you. Don't leave us just yet if you can bear our angst. Inspiration needed.
Posted 5/21/2014 5:09 AM (GMT 0)
My gastroenterologist was videotaped a while back discussing fulminant UC for a medical conference. At the end of the commentary the extracted colon was shown spread out whole on a table. 2/3 of it was diseased and looked like rotten meat! It stood out in sharp contrast to the 1/3 that still had living pink tissue. So that explains why post-colectomy patients feel like something totally vile has left their bodies ... ! Eva, I'm so glad your recovery is going especially well on all fronts; that's awesome news. But I don't think most forum members use UC like a crutch because nothing else of interest is going on in their lives; most want to help others who are suffering flares and may not have access to the best available medical care. / Old Hat (33 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal)
Posted 5/21/2014 6:48 AM (GMT 0)
My UC was a message from God telling me to stop drinking. If he cured me today I doubt I would stop drinking. God cure me of this sadness, help me live a better life..
Posted 5/21/2014 8:58 AM (GMT 0)
Eva Lou, I can remember as a kid after having surgery and finally leaving the hospital, I wrote in my diary that night: "It's sad to think that I'll probably never get to visit that ward again" (and I've never had another hospital stay since that day 36 years ago). It's funny how we get used to life being full of doctor's/hospital visits and suddenly, when it's all gone and everything is well again, we miss it!
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