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I've had UC for almost 30 years. I've been without symptoms for about 15 years. Then they found pre-cancerous tissue (dysplasia) in my colon, and the whole thing had to come out. It was terrifying. I felt completely fine, except for these small bumps that I couldn't feel or see. After the 1st surgery, I had that miserable bag and the whole 9 yards for 8 weeks.

 Reply posted for Jack.

Jack:

I'm sorry we lost touch. Please let me know how you're doing.

Best wishes,
Craig

 Reply posted for Jack.

Jack:

 Reply posted for cbyrnes.

My situation sounds a lot like yours.  UC for 35 years controlled by medication.  I'm feeling great and haven't had a problem in five years.  Dysplasia was diagnosed on colonoscopy and now I'm facing surgery and the decision to have an ileostomy or j-pouch.  I'm scared about all the complications I've heard about. 

I'm 60 years old and am interested in finding someone around my age who had a j-pouch and how they did.

Jack

 Reply posted for ACA11.

Thanks for the information Craig.

I have Uc, and had to have emergency surgery due to peritonitis, diverticulitis and hole blown into my intestines.

I almost died.  I had been having a severe episode with infections and pain..then on June 24, I was knocked down with excruciating pain so badly I couldn't walk at all.  My sister had to call the paramedics, they pealed me off my niece's bed in front of my son, her hubby and my 2 niece's.

I get to the hospital and I had a hole in my colon which is the meaning to the above diagnosis (I am sure you know what I am referring to).

I am due for my reversal here soon.  What do they do with the site of the Stoma when they remove it?

I am not afraid of getting surgery, I have had 2 c-sections, apandectomy, I am sure you are aware of the size of incision for the colstomy (OUCH), but I was walking after 2 days....

I am 32 and battling for 5 years with all these "SUPPOSED" illness's.

Bottom line:  I can't wait to have this done!  It seems I haven't wanted something so much in my life since my kids came of course...

I do FEEL 100% percent better as I am sure you do.  I have no gas, no diarea, no bloating, no constipation.  I feel like a new person. 

Cakies

 Reply posted for zswashington.

I'm so sorry you're going through this. Believe me, I understand being scared. The odds are good that you'll feel better after it's done and you recuperate, but it's hard to see that from where you are. Try to understand that, even though you're scared now, it *will* get much better, and soon.

 Reply posted for cbyrnes.

I am a Crohn's patient and I am on my way to having my first surgery and I am so scared...  While having this illness I have had 2 C-sections 13mos. apart and I am still suffering.  I still have tenderness around that area and my baby is now 6mos. old. 

 Reply posted for smiller.

I'm a lawyer, which involves a lot of tush-sitting as well. I started working a short schedule from home almost immediately. I'm back in full force now, just 1 1/2 months later.

 Reply posted for cbyrnes.

I have UC and I am getting pretty close to surgery (jpouch). I was wondering how long were you out of work?  I am in the accounting field and pretty much just sit all day. 

Thanks 

 Reply posted for ACA11.

I'm sorry, this isn't entirely related, but my joints are hurting.  I supposedly have UC - had the colectomy/J-pouch surgery in 2005 - and joint pain that started in 2007.  Now they are saying, maybe I have Crohn's instead.  Please let me know what has helped you.  I'm so tired of this.

Thanks.

 Reply posted for ACA11.

I'm going in to see my doctor tomorrow, because I'm feeling swollen and tender around the main incision (there are about 4 incisions, one of which I don't even know why it's there!) I can't say I'm having trouble with it; we'll see what the doctor says tomorrow. My worst concern is that I popped something open, and I'll need another, hopefully minor, surgery.

 Reply posted for cbyrnes.

Craig,

You stated that you still have some pain around the incision area.  When I had to have my gall bladder out in 10/08, it took almost eight weeks to fully recuperate from the incision point (major one below bellybutton) and to this day, it is still the same purpleish pink color.  Now after having knee surgery (I am a crohns patient and my immune system is attacking all other parts of my body, although I am in remission - I could never get sick like normal people LOL) the incision points on each side of my knee are still swollen and bruised after two weeks and one of them, if I bend my knee the wrong way, shoots fire through it.  Have you had much/many complications from the incision points?