I have been reading for a couple weeks and decided to post up my story.
I had symptoms in 2005 and finally got a colonoscopy. The did find colitis and a big cancerous tumor low in the rectum. Long story short..Radiation, chemo, surgery, (that took all but about a foot of colon) and more chemo. Things were not to bad for the next 4 years 4-8 poops a day but every time was URGENT.. then, last november I started to flare. I had never been treated for the colitis after the cancer surgery.
Within a few weeks I was in very little control and pooping every hour. All this was happening through the christmas/new years holiday. Jan 5th I had another colonoscopy and was put on 30 mg predisone, antibotics, canasa 1000mg and vicodin. Within 10 days I was at least getting some better so I started stepping down. Three days into that I was flaring again..so back up to 30mg. I have been to a GI specialist and thanks to all of you and the posts here I knew all the options he had for me! Because of the lack of colon left,, treating effectivly is a challenge. I am a very active outdoor 50 year old and I do not like the side effects of the pred. So I am pushing for the illistomy. I had the "appliance" for 6 months while the first surgery was healing so I know what I am in for. I am looking forward to being in control of when I empty. I know everyone is different and for me the constant meds are not a good option. I wanted to share my cancer story to let you know I have been cancer free! Colon Cancer is not the worst thing that ever happened...I am begining to think Colitis is!
I see my doc tomorrow to discuss the surgery options.