Re: OT: friend just had colon removed....my questions for the group

[Guest guest]

I feel so badly because I wonder if

> something else could have been done? Was he " too far gone " with his

> Crohns/colitis that they really needed to take his colon?

In some cases, yes, one can be too far gone for SCD to be helpful,

especially if there has been significant scarring. I tried SCD before

my surgery and it wasn't helpful, but with Crohn's the illness can

come back in the small intestine, so it's prudent to stay on SCD to

prevent further flare ups (or go on SCD as soon as a flare happens.)

I went on SCD again after my illness returned in the small intestine,

this time successfully and was able to come off meds and become

pregnant with my son, .

Do I dare send him the BTVC

> book or is that just being too pushy and mean?

I would wait to give your friend the book...he's dealing with a lot of

emotional stuff right now, and he's probably on a lot of meds for pain

as well as to help keep the illness at bay while he's vulnerable

during recovery, so he should be OK. Some people never have any

problems post surgery, but if he should have another flare, then give

the book to him -- if it could help him avoid another surgery, then he

will more likely be willing to try it.

Any advice on what we

> can send him to boost his spirits.

As for what to send him...what does he like? Is he a sports nut?

Fisherman? Outdoorsman? Musician? Whatever his passion, get him

something that he will be excited about -- if you want, just get a

book related to something he loves so that he has something to read

that will lift his spirits while he recovers (if he's not a reader,

how about a DVD?)

By the way, my husband said they are going to

> put the colon back. WHAT?! I don't think he heard that right!

And finally, no, they are not going to put his colon back...he is

going to have the J-Pouch surgery in which the surgeon fashions a

" colon " out of the ileum (end of the small intestine,) and then he

will have his ostomy " reversed " so that all his pipes are put back

together, just much shorter. To be honest, I'm surprised they are

offering this surgery as I was under the impression that J-pouches

were not typically used for Crohn's patients due to the high risk of

flares post surgery (Crohn's can return in the small intestine or in

the newly formed " colon " , but for colitis or colon removal due to

injury or cancer, there is no risk of disease in the remaining

intestine, thus J-pouch surgery is usually reserved for those who have

had their colon removed due to these other reasons.)

Hope this helps...BTW life with an ostomy is WAY better than life with

Crohn's -- the surgery truly gave me my life back and allowed me to

give birth to my son (along with SCD -- because without either of

those, he wouldn't be here.)

SCD 2/08

CD 25 + yrs, ileostomy 4 yrs

[Guest guest]

,

Just another question ... my daughter is facing possible surger for UC to have her colon removed (we are desparately trying to avoid it with SCD and/or meds, but still have questions in case it comes to that) .. I had read that its very difficult to get pregnant post surgery. Is that not true or are you a wonderful exception to the rule. Congratulations by the way, on your baby.

Thnaks,

Teri

mother of L

SCD Jan 08

UC 1.5 years