HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Joining the army after my J pouch surgery

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 4/19/2009 6:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hi i'm new to this...

I am a 21 year old male.

I was diagnoised with UC when i was 13 and I got the J pouch surgery this last august and september at the age of 20

I have been feeling wonderful and other than getting use to how everything works foods I shouldn't eat ect... it has been the easiest transition in my 7 long years of having UC. I'm 21 now and after alot of thought and prayers I have decided to try and join the army again. I tried at 18 and was turned away due to the massive amounts of medication I was on. I have gone into my local recruiter and they informed me I should have no trouble getting in, however I'm somewhat sceptical. I have not been down to MEPs yet, because along with UC I had migraines due to the UC. They have also gone away, but I also now need my doctor to write a clearance letter saying I no longer have or take narcotics for the migraines. After talking with my doctor I wanted to look into what I may be up against with joining. My surgeon cleared me to join the army and to do any and all physical activity that intails, However my doctor told me that she is worried about tearing my pouch doing certain activities. I would also like to say that in the last 7 months of having the pouch i have went from about 8 bowl movments a day to 3 or 4 which is extremely low. If there is anyone out there who either has been in the army or have also had the surgery who can help me that would be a very welcomed aid. thank you for your time and I wish you well with whatever you also may be going through with UC.

John  

Posted 4/19/2009 6:57 PM (GMT 0)
I don't have any advice I just wanted to say I'm happy that you are doing so well with your J pouch! Best of luck in joining the Army.
Posted 4/19/2009 7:43 PM (GMT 0)

Being the wife of a retired Army man I would like to see you be able to join.  Do all you can to find out the requirement and what you have to do and what your doctor says.  Here is a site that might help with requirement ....

http://www.army.com/enlist/requirements.html

Good luck and follow your dream!

ElaineNY

Posted 4/19/2009 10:30 PM (GMT 0)

Some find it hard to understand why people WANT to join the Army.  It takes a special person/special commitment and is not for everyone.  I commend John for wanting to and also for those who know it is not for them.

As for UC - he no longer has UC - he is free of this DD.  My husband wants to remind John that no matter what his "job" would be in the Army he would be an Infantryman first - you have to be able to go to battle!

ElaineNY

Posted 4/19/2009 11:23 PM (GMT 0)
Johnny K,
Find a FVW rep in your area, they are fully versed in medical paperwork and if you sign a power of attorney over to them they can act on your behalf with the military to get you in. I did this when I was getting my medical discharge for my UC. The representatives know all the right paperwork and will even help you fill it out to ensure that everything is correct and I'm sure that they would love to be able to help someone like you get into the Army. I wish you luck my friend, it was the best nine years of my life and I wouldn't give those memories up for anything in this world. Please keep us informed on your progress, I will keep you in my prayers.
Emilie
Posted 4/21/2009 2:33 AM (GMT 0)
turn  thank you all for your quick and helpful responses, in response as to why...i would say its a mix of reasons...i always wanted to and couldn't...i want to serve my country... i want to make myself a better person... some other personal reasons.

I have been considering this for about 9 months now ever since i was told i have to get the surgery and i do understand the commitment and intensity of my decision and what joining the army will intail and if i am allowed to do it i know i will love every minute of it... if i am not then at least i tried.

Emily i have a question on the FVW rep...will he help me even tho i am not yet a vetran or is that only for vetrans...can you give me any other information on what he can and will do ect... thank you very much :).

I also wanted to update you all that I got my clearance letter from my primary doc clearing me of migraines along with the clearance from my surgeon and i am taking both letters up to my recruiter tommorow 4/21 i'm so excited and thank you all for your time and imput. I will continue to update you all good luck to all of you.

John
Posted 4/21/2009 2:36 AM (GMT 0)
Good luck to you! The military definitely wasn't ever something I was interested in, but I hope that you are able to join!
Posted 4/21/2009 7:32 PM (GMT 0)
Johnny,
You will need to contact someone in your local area, there are different specialists in different areas. But making some contacts with those guys just might be the help that you need. You should also talk to some recruiters, use a false name but get all the information you can and make all the contact that you can, you just might find someone that can move mountains for you. Talk talk talk to everyone and make them WANT you to enlist. Let us know what they say.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply