Surgery is scheduled

There was no question about needing the surgery, according to the doctor and nurses at my appointment today. I have to be in there for an extra week to get a feeding catheter though because my blood work shows some malnutrition and the doctor wants me in better shape for the procedure, extending the stay to about 2 weeks total. That dampened things a bit because the suspense leading up to it is now gonna be that much worse. Regardless it was a successful trip, anti diahreah pill made it a little more tolerable. The doctor did check up my rectum with a foot and a half tube, said it looked pretty ugly. It's looking like a 3 step procedure he said. November 16th is the day and a week later I'll be getting the surgery so I'll have both things done without having to leave which is nice. Any questions just ask 😊

Best wishes for a speedy, successful recovery!!

Keep us updated. I always look for your posts since we've had some similar situations....obviously yours are substantially worse.

Chin up and think of how much better you'll feel after.

Good luck! I am glad to hear you had a good appointment and got the go ahead, even with the delay.

Great news! Don't forget to bring your tablet and sign up for Netflix, if you haven't already. I don't know how I survived my early flares without those two things.

During my last flare, I watched The West Wing from start-to-finish (for the first time). Loved it and a great distraction. Also recommend Friday Night Lights, 30 Rock, and The Wire.

Good luck!!!

Happy to hear you're feeling confident that this is the best choice for you. 3 step is annoying but the time actually passes quickly. As KS said, the ostomy takes a little getting use to, but it's really not that bad once you know what you're doing. I had 3 step so please feel free to ask me any questions you have.

I couldn't use netflix because the hospital has a login. I brought my chromecast but I couldn't get onto the hospital's network.

Wishing you the very best with it all and speedy recoveries through all the steps!!

I had a 2-step procedure myself (labroscopically) and had a worse looking colon than you (by the way you described it). I was very anemic (hemoglobin 4 during surgery) and also very malnourished. I underwent my surgery 9/26/15 and I'm living almost a normal life again. Almost, because I have a temporary ileostomy and once that's gone, I can return to my previous activities that I did before UC. The first few days after surgery you will probably not have any appetite, so they might hook you up to some TPN. Anyways, try to increase your appetite as much as you can, and exercise a lot so you can get your other procedures done quicker. I'm scheduled for my reversal procedure probably at the end of november or beginning of december (getting the pouch test done to see if it's ready). At first, life with a stoma is hard, but as time progresses you'll get used to it. Make sure to keep it clean and not let it get irritated. Good luck, and you have made the right decision my friend :)

I will be thinking of you on the 16th. My daughter too had the 3 step and is doing great now. It's a tough road, but i bet you will feel better even a few days out of surgery. Make sure you have a good surgical team and are as healthy as you can be going in. Listen to the Stoma nurses-they are the bosses! Line up support at home too, so you can heal in comfort.
UCDad, I feel your pain too-there is life on the other side that looks so much different and feels so much better. Hang in there.