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No more meds, no more (college) books, no more colon's dirty looks!

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 1/26/2008 2:12 AM (GMT 0)
I officially have a surgery date: February 21st! I had my consult today, and it really made me sit back and look at how the last (almost) 2 years of non-stop flaring have really affected my life. I'm going to have to take this last semester of school off and come back and graduate in the fall, but I think its worth it. I've been so sick for so long and nothing has worked and I really couldn't believe when the surgeon said I wouldn't have any pain when having a bowel movement :). Although I may sound really excited, I'm equally nervous, I tried taking a nap after the appt today and all I could think about was the ostomy I will have for 6 or so weeks after the first stage of the surgery (doing the j-pouch) and the colonoscopy the day before...(shudder). But the possibility of being able to eventually eat what I want, where I want, along with just being able to leave my apt is almost too good to be true...AND being steroid/drug free for my wedding/honeymoon in mid/late-June! I guess it will feel like a final push of pain and fear and uncertainty followed hopefully by relief...sweet sweet relief...<sigh>
Posted 1/26/2008 2:34 AM (GMT 0)
Did you read Keith's (KS1905) recent posts about a one-step j-pouch that can be done by laparoscopic surgery? He has been looking into it to resolve his pancolitis. / Old Hat (nearly 30 yrs with left-sided UC ... [etc.])
Posted 1/26/2008 2:36 AM (GMT 0)
I hope it all goes very smoothly for you! You'll be in my prayers! Please keep us posted.

My niece had the surgery a few years back and said it is the best thing she ever did. She is med. free.
Posted 1/26/2008 2:48 AM (GMT 0)
Old Hat: I have not read that post. However I did discuss one-step and laproscopic with the surgeon. He said based on the drugs that I'm on, and the amount of bleeding/diarrhea/symptoms I'm experiencing that a one-step would not be safe or rather, not have as high a chance of success as a 2-step. As for laproscopic, I understand the incisions are smaller, however the incision I was shown for the "open" surgery was maybe 3 inches or so...which apparently helps with the removal of the colon and reduces complications(especially when its damaged from severe inflammation, apparently it can start to disintegrate upon removal...making it harder to get through the smaller incisions).
Posted 1/26/2008 2:51 AM (GMT 0)
Also, thanks for keeping me in your prayers keylime! I'll update as frequently as possible. I'm waiting on the surgeon's nurse to give me some numbers of people who have had him and the j-pouch. But from what I've read on this board and others, surgery is always seen as a relief, even if there are some complications.
Posted 1/26/2008 3:03 AM (GMT 0)
Oh, right-- now I see in your signature that you've been taking Pred. That was a condition the surgeon cited to Keith as negating 1-step laparoscopic surgery. He hasn't taken steroids for a couple yrs, which is why they would consider him for that kind of procedure. Best wishes to you for big health improvement ASAP. / Old Hat
Posted 1/26/2008 3:33 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Old Hat, sorry about the signature. I always forget to update it until after I post something, hehe.
Posted 1/26/2008 4:40 AM (GMT 0)
Visit the ostomy board here at HW....I'm sending you best wishes for all to go smooth, a speedy recovery and a fantastic IBD-free life.

Keep us posted about the surgery and recovery.

:)
Posted 1/26/2008 4:01 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Carlow,

I had surgery summer 2006 and it was, like others have said, the best thing I have ever done. I am still impressed every day at how good I feel and what a change it has been. I also had a 2 step, with 10 weeks in between. I would be glad to be in touch with you, I know how it can be both really exciting and really terrifying. If you would like, you can email me at eglarson AT hotmail dot com.

I'm glad you're excited about this! Waiting for the date is so hard!

Best, Liz
Posted 1/26/2008 4:17 PM (GMT 0)
Good luck with your upcoming surgery!  I had jpouch surgery 8 years ago, best health decision I have made to date.  Just be patient with the recovery process, the early days can be difficult.

Sue

Posted 1/26/2008 4:38 PM (GMT 0)
good luck, i'm excited for you to get healthy!
Posted 1/26/2008 10:16 PM (GMT 0)
Thank YOU so much for all the well wishes and advice guys! I really hope I can get that 2nd step taken care of in time for my wedding...but I might have to leave the bag in if it takes too long to heal. I'm a little bummed, but I will take a fully active honeymoon (eating, hiking, mountain driving, wine tasting!) with less/little intimacy than a painful, drug altered one with just as little intimacy.
Posted 1/26/2008 10:52 PM (GMT 0)
I'm so excited for you! Congratulations - on your upcoming surgery, your upcoming wedding, and your upcoming graduation! Yippee!!! To finally be UC free - sweet :)

Your outlook is great! May you heal quickly.
Posted 1/27/2008 4:27 PM (GMT 0)
You'll be toasting at your wedding, baggie or no baggie, that you and your spouse are embarking on a whole new life and a whole new way of life -- med free! What a wonderful way to start out your new life together!

Best of luck and say bye-bye to all those fricking meds and living in bathrooms.

Mitz
Posted 1/28/2008 3:47 AM (GMT 0)
yay for you getting better!
 i promise that the time you spend with the bag will not be that bad! 

Good luck, i hope it all goes well

Posted 1/28/2008 5:03 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks again all! I meet with my dept chair tomorrow to talk to her about my decision, she's been extremely helpful and considerate these past few years. I really hope she's still around when I come back. I don't know what I'm going to do these next couple of weeks to keep me busy before the surgery, but I suppose I'll spend it researching this operation, etc, as much as possible (the curse of a formal education, I research everything now). Oh, and keeping my mother from being too much of a (overly concerned) mother, anybody else have one of those? :)
Posted 1/28/2008 2:30 PM (GMT 0)
Please visit www.j-pouch.org for support and encouragement.

Sue
Posted 1/28/2008 7:04 PM (GMT 0)
Good luck with your surgery. Why are we all not having this surgery rather than suffering with flares and different meds and all the BS that goes along with this problem..
Posted 1/29/2008 3:09 AM (GMT 0)
I will Sue, thanks. I've downloaded the Ostomy Handbook from the Ostomy forum here on HW too. Thanks cabdrivr, who knows eh? It took me a long time of suffering to push past that "hump". Whatever anyone's decision, just remember in the end its yours and yours alone. I guess thats why its so hard to do it voluntarily.
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