HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

First anniversary for colon removal

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 10/20/2009 1:33 AM (GMT 0)
Wow, I can’t believe it has been a whole year since I had my colon removed and have been UC free. It has been a long hall but it was worth it. I had the first part of a two part J-pouch surgery on Oct 20, 2008 and the second and final part on January 21, 2009. I had a rough time with my first surgery and was in the hospital for 22 days. My second surgery was much easier with only 6 days in the hospital. I didn’t get along very well with my temporary ileostomy. I was never well enough to go back to work between surgeries. I was off work for a total of 7 months.

My number of BMs and urgency has decreased significantly since my second surgery. I now average about 4 BMs per day and can hold it for several hours if I have to. As long as I don’t eat after 6:00 pm I won’t wake up overnight for a BM. Within the last month I have started to pass some gas without messing my pants. That is huge in reducing my number of BMs. For several years I have not been able to urinate without it being followed immediately with a bowel movement. For the last few weeks I have started to pee without a BM. That also helps to reduce my number of BMs. I know that might not seem like a big deal to the women but it is huge for me. I’m sure the men will understand. I can finally stand up and pee like a man. lol.

The only real complaint I have is that my BMs can take up to 10 minutes or more on the toilet. When I empty my pouch a lot of gas comes out at the end causing a huge explosion that can sometimes hurt. After that I can usually get more gas and stool out by pushing and waiting. It’s really not that much different then when I had UC.

Take care,
Posted 10/20/2009 1:45 AM (GMT 0)
Paul, good to know that things have been better for you after surgery. Hope it keeps getting better.
Posted 10/20/2009 3:09 AM (GMT 0)
Good that you reminded us, Paul! You really have been an educator on the forum, being so straightforward about what you were going through with treatments, clinical studies, and then surgery & post-op experiences. The road to better health can be a long haul, but you're getting there-- with sense of humor still intact. Best wishes for still more improvement in the near future! / Old Hat (30 yrs with left-sided UC ... [etc.])
Posted 10/20/2009 3:12 AM (GMT 0)
happy new birthday! Isnt being UC free great?
Posted 10/20/2009 9:22 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Paul....wow, can't believe it's a year either. I also must state it's been very educational and helpful that you've kept us updated in a most forward way regarding the trials you've been through med/UC/surgery-wise.

I hope you continue to feel better without any other issues.

Congratulations on your peeing success! tongue

quincy

Posted 10/20/2009 12:04 PM (GMT 0)
It's been a year already??? Wow, it seems just like yesterday that you were going in for the 1st surgery.
Posted 10/20/2009 2:45 PM (GMT 0)
Wow, I am surprised it's been a year, too!
I hope you continue to improve. Small victories are huge, people take these things so for granted.

I celebrate being able to toot a little (in the privacy of my home, of course) without having to wait to get on the toilet. Woo hoo!
Posted 10/20/2009 4:47 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone. I haven’t seen a doctor since last spring. It seems real strange not to plan my life around doctors, hospitals and clinical studies. I haven’t taken any medication in over 4 months. They say it can take up to one year to fully adjust to my new plumbing. I assume they mean from my second surgery. That will be this January.
Posted 10/20/2009 5:13 PM (GMT 0)
Hurray! Congrats Paul, and as the others said, thanks for being such a wealth of information and always sharing your stories -- from the trials, Remicade, and then on to the surgery. I'm so glad you come back to visit so we can keep updated on how you are doing. Again, congrats!

Posted 10/21/2009 1:09 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Paul,
Woohoo! Congratulations! I've followed your story for some time and only log on occassionally now. This forum was helpful beyond words when my daughter was struck with UC...and like you...nothing seemed to work for her and within 4 months of being diagnosed, had her colon removed. It's been almost 3 years now...we celebrate the day with a birthday cake for her jpouch and a gift of some sort. I think you need a "no colon and still rollin'" shirt as a badge of honor  smilewinkgrin This is a good site:
http://t-shirts.cafepress.com/item/no-colon-and-still-rollin-fitted-tshirt/14723617

Isn't it great to be med free?? My daughter does suffer now from the effects of high doses of Prednisone..she has osteonecrosis in 9 joints and will have a very rough road, but I try to remind her that she's more than her imperfect body. She's coming to terms with the bone disease..suffers some pain in her joints, but we've got a great orthopedic surgeon to care for her. When she's in alot of pain, I try to think back to how horrible UC was and remind her that in reality, it could be much worse from the meds that they wanted her to take...much worse.

She too has the noise problem when she goes to the bathroom...it is still embarassing for her to go in a public restroom...but ya know, after all she's been through and all you've been through...you're entitled to make some noise!!!

All the best to you in your recovery!
Elise
Posted 10/21/2009 1:13 PM (GMT 0)
Paul,

Happy Anniversary! I'm almost 9 years from surgery and I still marvel at not spending time in the GI's office! In fact I haven't seen my GI since surgery. I get a physical once per year and a pouch scope every other year from my surgeon. That's it on doctor's visits! Oh, and no meds!!!!

Your jpouch will only continue to improve in performance; many more happy travels to you and your family.

Sue
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply