Re: Colectomy Help

[Guest guest]

I have no personal experience to provide you, but there are

numerous Yahoo! groups (http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/ostomysupport/,

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/jpouchsupport/

for example). There are also local chapters of www.ostomy.org (http://ostomy.org/ostomychaps.htm).

If you elect j-pouch, www.jpouch.org has

been favorably mentioned many times. www.CCFA.org

(http://www.ccfa.org/info/surgery/surgeryuc)

is a great resource for all issues of the GI flavor.

Prednisone rules; it is a POWERFUL drug (and

prednisone sucks, too).L

I’m on midnights L, but this is my day off J You’ll

hear from many people on this topic tomorrow.

Arne

UC 1977, PSC 2000

Alive and well in Minnesota

From:

[mailto: ] On Behalf Of serbrinamv@...

Hi everyone

After a long and hard decision to make, I have elected to have a colectomy. I

have exhausted all other options. I have been on predisone for years and it is

the only medicine that somewhat controls my UC. I am meeting with a surgeon in

a few weeks to discuss this option. I know many of you have had a colectomy and

I would appreciate any feedback or questions that I should be asking the

surgeon. I feel like I'm making the right decision, especially since I'm still

in my early thirties, but of course I " m still somewhat scared. Thanks for

all your help.

Serbrina UC '01/PSC '04

..

[Guest guest]

I have no personal experience to provide you, but there are

numerous Yahoo! groups (http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/ostomysupport/,

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/jpouchsupport/

for example). There are also local chapters of www.ostomy.org (http://ostomy.org/ostomychaps.htm).

If you elect j-pouch, www.jpouch.org has

been favorably mentioned many times. www.CCFA.org

(http://www.ccfa.org/info/surgery/surgeryuc)

is a great resource for all issues of the GI flavor.

Prednisone rules; it is a POWERFUL drug (and

prednisone sucks, too).L

I’m on midnights L, but this is my day off J You’ll

hear from many people on this topic tomorrow.

Arne

UC 1977, PSC 2000

Alive and well in Minnesota

From:

[mailto: ] On Behalf Of serbrinamv@...

Hi everyone

After a long and hard decision to make, I have elected to have a colectomy. I

have exhausted all other options. I have been on predisone for years and it is

the only medicine that somewhat controls my UC. I am meeting with a surgeon in

a few weeks to discuss this option. I know many of you have had a colectomy and

I would appreciate any feedback or questions that I should be asking the

surgeon. I feel like I'm making the right decision, especially since I'm still

in my early thirties, but of course I " m still somewhat scared. Thanks for

all your help.

Serbrina UC '01/PSC '04

..

[Guest guest]

I have no personal experience to provide you, but there are

numerous Yahoo! groups (http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/ostomysupport/,

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/jpouchsupport/

for example). There are also local chapters of www.ostomy.org (http://ostomy.org/ostomychaps.htm).

If you elect j-pouch, www.jpouch.org has

been favorably mentioned many times. www.CCFA.org

(http://www.ccfa.org/info/surgery/surgeryuc)

is a great resource for all issues of the GI flavor.

Prednisone rules; it is a POWERFUL drug (and

prednisone sucks, too).L

I’m on midnights L, but this is my day off J You’ll

hear from many people on this topic tomorrow.

Arne

UC 1977, PSC 2000

Alive and well in Minnesota

From:

[mailto: ] On Behalf Of serbrinamv@...

Hi everyone

After a long and hard decision to make, I have elected to have a colectomy. I

have exhausted all other options. I have been on predisone for years and it is

the only medicine that somewhat controls my UC. I am meeting with a surgeon in

a few weeks to discuss this option. I know many of you have had a colectomy and

I would appreciate any feedback or questions that I should be asking the

surgeon. I feel like I'm making the right decision, especially since I'm still

in my early thirties, but of course I " m still somewhat scared. Thanks for

all your help.

Serbrina UC '01/PSC '04

..

[Guest guest]

Thanks ArneI could use all the info I can get my hands on and you are right.....predisone rules but man the long term effects are starting to kick my butt. (No pun intended) LOLSerbrinaUC '01/PSC '04Sent via BlackBerry by AT&TFrom: "Arne" Date: Sat, 21 Mar 2009 02:02:28 -0500To: < >Subject: RE: Colectomy Help I have no personal experience to provide you, but there are numerous Yahoo! groups (http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/ostomysupport/,http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/jpouchsupport/ for example). There are also local chapters of www.ostomy.org (http://ostomy.org/ostomychaps.htm). If you elect j-pouch, www.jpouch.org has been favorably mentioned many times. www.CCFA.org (http://www.ccfa.org/info/surgery/surgeryuc) is a great resource for all issues of the GI flavor. Prednisone rules; it is a POWERFUL drug (and prednisone sucks, too).L I’m on midnights L, but this is my day off J You’ll hear from many people on this topic tomorrow. Arne UC 1977, PSC 2000 Alive and well in Minnesota From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of serbrinamv (AT) sbcglobal (DOT) net Hi everyone After a long and hard decision to make, I have elected to have a colectomy. I have exhausted all other options. I have been on predisone for years and it is the only medicine that somewhat controls my UC. I am meeting with a surgeon in a few weeks to discuss this option. I know many of you have had a colectomy and I would appreciate any feedback or questions that I should be asking the surgeon. I feel like I'm making the right decision, especially since I'm still in my early thirties, but of course I " m still somewhat scared. Thanks for all your help. Serbrina UC '01/PSC '04 .

[Guest guest]

Thanks ArneI could use all the info I can get my hands on and you are right.....predisone rules but man the long term effects are starting to kick my butt. (No pun intended) LOLSerbrinaUC '01/PSC '04Sent via BlackBerry by AT&TFrom: "Arne" Date: Sat, 21 Mar 2009 02:02:28 -0500To: < >Subject: RE: Colectomy Help I have no personal experience to provide you, but there are numerous Yahoo! groups (http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/ostomysupport/,http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/jpouchsupport/ for example). There are also local chapters of www.ostomy.org (http://ostomy.org/ostomychaps.htm). If you elect j-pouch, www.jpouch.org has been favorably mentioned many times. www.CCFA.org (http://www.ccfa.org/info/surgery/surgeryuc) is a great resource for all issues of the GI flavor. Prednisone rules; it is a POWERFUL drug (and prednisone sucks, too).L I’m on midnights L, but this is my day off J You’ll hear from many people on this topic tomorrow. Arne UC 1977, PSC 2000 Alive and well in Minnesota From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of serbrinamv (AT) sbcglobal (DOT) net Hi everyone After a long and hard decision to make, I have elected to have a colectomy. I have exhausted all other options. I have been on predisone for years and it is the only medicine that somewhat controls my UC. I am meeting with a surgeon in a few weeks to discuss this option. I know many of you have had a colectomy and I would appreciate any feedback or questions that I should be asking the surgeon. I feel like I'm making the right decision, especially since I'm still in my early thirties, but of course I " m still somewhat scared. Thanks for all your help. Serbrina UC '01/PSC '04 .

[Guest guest]

Thanks ArneI could use all the info I can get my hands on and you are right.....predisone rules but man the long term effects are starting to kick my butt. (No pun intended) LOLSerbrinaUC '01/PSC '04Sent via BlackBerry by AT&TFrom: "Arne" Date: Sat, 21 Mar 2009 02:02:28 -0500To: < >Subject: RE: Colectomy Help I have no personal experience to provide you, but there are numerous Yahoo! groups (http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/ostomysupport/,http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/jpouchsupport/ for example). There are also local chapters of www.ostomy.org (http://ostomy.org/ostomychaps.htm). If you elect j-pouch, www.jpouch.org has been favorably mentioned many times. www.CCFA.org (http://www.ccfa.org/info/surgery/surgeryuc) is a great resource for all issues of the GI flavor. Prednisone rules; it is a POWERFUL drug (and prednisone sucks, too).L I’m on midnights L, but this is my day off J You’ll hear from many people on this topic tomorrow. Arne UC 1977, PSC 2000 Alive and well in Minnesota From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of serbrinamv (AT) sbcglobal (DOT) net Hi everyone After a long and hard decision to make, I have elected to have a colectomy. I have exhausted all other options. I have been on predisone for years and it is the only medicine that somewhat controls my UC. I am meeting with a surgeon in a few weeks to discuss this option. I know many of you have had a colectomy and I would appreciate any feedback or questions that I should be asking the surgeon. I feel like I'm making the right decision, especially since I'm still in my early thirties, but of course I " m still somewhat scared. Thanks for all your help. Serbrina UC '01/PSC '04 .

[Guest guest]

Serbrina,

For Suzanne the most important information was 1) whether they

thought they could do a j-pouch and 2) if they thought they could do the procedure

in one step. We were very fortunate in that Suzanne was able to have a j-pouch

done in one step.

Suzanne will tell you it was definitely the right decision; her

quality of life was immediately improved and she has had only minor

post-surgery complications.

Good luck,

LINDA (Mom of Suzanne, 19, UC / PSC 2004, j-pouch 2006)

Hi everyone

I have elected to have a colectomy I know

many of you have had a colectomy and I would appreciate any feedback or

questions that I should be asking the surgeon.

Serbrina UC '01/PSC '04

_,___

[Guest guest]

Good morning Serbrina.

I read your post about the decision to have a colectomy. I was in your shoes in

October 2005. After using prednisone with no impact on my UC, my gastro brought

out the last " big gun " medication--6 mercaptopurine. The 6-MP also failed to

bring me into remission. The decision of whether or not to have the surgery is

a personal matter. It is a decision that only you can make. I was in my 40s

when I had my colectomy and I wondered if life would ever be the same. There is

going to be a period when you will wonder if you have made the right decision;

you will wake up one morning and know that you have gotten a part of your life

back.

There is so much more that I have to say about this life-changer so if you want

to discuss this further, please feel free to email me privately.

Best wishes for better health,

Deb

GERD, UC 1993, cholecystectomy 2004, PSC 2005, colectomy 2005, CKD 2007,

SBO April 2008, one fat and happy golden retriever

[Guest guest]

Good morning Serbrina.

I read your post about the decision to have a colectomy. I was in your shoes in

October 2005. After using prednisone with no impact on my UC, my gastro brought

out the last " big gun " medication--6 mercaptopurine. The 6-MP also failed to

bring me into remission. The decision of whether or not to have the surgery is

a personal matter. It is a decision that only you can make. I was in my 40s

when I had my colectomy and I wondered if life would ever be the same. There is

going to be a period when you will wonder if you have made the right decision;

you will wake up one morning and know that you have gotten a part of your life

back.

There is so much more that I have to say about this life-changer so if you want

to discuss this further, please feel free to email me privately.

Best wishes for better health,

Deb

GERD, UC 1993, cholecystectomy 2004, PSC 2005, colectomy 2005, CKD 2007,

SBO April 2008, one fat and happy golden retriever

[Guest guest]

Good morning Serbrina.

I read your post about the decision to have a colectomy. I was in your shoes in

October 2005. After using prednisone with no impact on my UC, my gastro brought

out the last " big gun " medication--6 mercaptopurine. The 6-MP also failed to

bring me into remission. The decision of whether or not to have the surgery is

a personal matter. It is a decision that only you can make. I was in my 40s

when I had my colectomy and I wondered if life would ever be the same. There is

going to be a period when you will wonder if you have made the right decision;

you will wake up one morning and know that you have gotten a part of your life

back.

There is so much more that I have to say about this life-changer so if you want

to discuss this further, please feel free to email me privately.

Best wishes for better health,

Deb

GERD, UC 1993, cholecystectomy 2004, PSC 2005, colectomy 2005, CKD 2007,

SBO April 2008, one fat and happy golden retriever

[Guest guest]

Hi, congratulations on making this important decision! I had a colectomy about a

year and a half ago. I really didn't want to do it, but I'm SO glad I did!!! My

quality of life is infinitely better. And I'm pregnant, so I'm proof that you

can get pregnant after a colectomy (even though the surgeon told me I may have

problems getting pregnant, this one happened in one try).

I had an ileorectostemy, which is one step and entails no j-pouch. Because my

rectum was in good shape (at the time, now it's worse) and so was my ileum, they

were able to just connect them. They took out part of the rectum and part of the

ileum, so it was more than just the colon that they took out, but they just

stapled the rest. So it was a vevry smooth recovery.

Having PSC I was told means higher likelihood of chronic pouchitis. Sure, you

can take antibiotics for it, but it's still a pain. Also, a j pouch makes

getting pregnant even more difficult, though not impossible. So definitely look

into the ileorectostomy option. I had mine done at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. I

was fortunate in that my insurance recognized Mayo as a provider.

Good luck!

Ruth

>

> Hi everyone

> After a long and hard decision to make, I have elected to have a colectomy. I

have exhausted all other options. I have been on predisone for years and it is

the only medicine that somewhat controls my UC. I am meeting with a surgeon in a

few weeks to discuss this option. I know many of you have had a colectomy and I

would appreciate any feedback or questions that I should be asking the surgeon.

I feel like I'm making the right decision, especially since I'm still in my

early thirties, but of course I " m still somewhat scared. Thanks for all your

help.

> Serbrina UC '01/PSC '04

>

[Guest guest]

Hi, congratulations on making this important decision! I had a colectomy about a

year and a half ago. I really didn't want to do it, but I'm SO glad I did!!! My

quality of life is infinitely better. And I'm pregnant, so I'm proof that you

can get pregnant after a colectomy (even though the surgeon told me I may have

problems getting pregnant, this one happened in one try).

I had an ileorectostemy, which is one step and entails no j-pouch. Because my

rectum was in good shape (at the time, now it's worse) and so was my ileum, they

were able to just connect them. They took out part of the rectum and part of the

ileum, so it was more than just the colon that they took out, but they just

stapled the rest. So it was a vevry smooth recovery.

Having PSC I was told means higher likelihood of chronic pouchitis. Sure, you

can take antibiotics for it, but it's still a pain. Also, a j pouch makes

getting pregnant even more difficult, though not impossible. So definitely look

into the ileorectostomy option. I had mine done at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. I

was fortunate in that my insurance recognized Mayo as a provider.

Good luck!

Ruth

>

> Hi everyone

> After a long and hard decision to make, I have elected to have a colectomy. I

have exhausted all other options. I have been on predisone for years and it is

the only medicine that somewhat controls my UC. I am meeting with a surgeon in a

few weeks to discuss this option. I know many of you have had a colectomy and I

would appreciate any feedback or questions that I should be asking the surgeon.

I feel like I'm making the right decision, especially since I'm still in my

early thirties, but of course I " m still somewhat scared. Thanks for all your

help.

> Serbrina UC '01/PSC '04

>

[Guest guest]

Hi, congratulations on making this important decision! I had a colectomy about a

year and a half ago. I really didn't want to do it, but I'm SO glad I did!!! My

quality of life is infinitely better. And I'm pregnant, so I'm proof that you

can get pregnant after a colectomy (even though the surgeon told me I may have

problems getting pregnant, this one happened in one try).

I had an ileorectostemy, which is one step and entails no j-pouch. Because my

rectum was in good shape (at the time, now it's worse) and so was my ileum, they

were able to just connect them. They took out part of the rectum and part of the

ileum, so it was more than just the colon that they took out, but they just

stapled the rest. So it was a vevry smooth recovery.

Having PSC I was told means higher likelihood of chronic pouchitis. Sure, you

can take antibiotics for it, but it's still a pain. Also, a j pouch makes

getting pregnant even more difficult, though not impossible. So definitely look

into the ileorectostomy option. I had mine done at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. I

was fortunate in that my insurance recognized Mayo as a provider.

Good luck!

Ruth

>

> Hi everyone

> After a long and hard decision to make, I have elected to have a colectomy. I

have exhausted all other options. I have been on predisone for years and it is

the only medicine that somewhat controls my UC. I am meeting with a surgeon in a

few weeks to discuss this option. I know many of you have had a colectomy and I

would appreciate any feedback or questions that I should be asking the surgeon.

I feel like I'm making the right decision, especially since I'm still in my

early thirties, but of course I " m still somewhat scared. Thanks for all your

help.

> Serbrina UC '01/PSC '04

>

[Guest guest]

Serbina

Anything is better than desperately searching for a bathroom. I also had an ileostomy and wear an external pouch. I wasn't really given a choice for getting a J-pouch because of the constant risk of pouchitis. I'm glad I'm not taking antibiotics daily to prevent infections and I have to empty the pouch 3 or 4 times a day but never with any urgency. There have been a few "system failures" but I have a routine of changing everything every 4 days and it only takes about 5 minutes. There certainly are some self-image issues to work out but I am glad I had it done.

Long term insurance is important. I am on medicare and it covers the cost of the equiptment and it is expensive. The pouch and the wafer, which is the adhesive part that attaches to the skin and holds the pouch, costs @$10 with extras like adhesive cleaner and a skin barrier wipe which is like a primer for the skin. It adds up. .

I suggest that you have the doc set up an appointment with a stoma nurse to get the best advice. She/He deals with the people who have had ileostomies. Then you can compare that with the info from surgical team about J- pouches.

I would never choose to go back the days of UC.

Take Care

MizKit

Re: Colectomy Help

Hi, congratulations on making this important decision! I had a colectomy about a year and a half ago. I really didn't want to do it, but I'm SO glad I did!!! My quality of life is infinitely better. And I'm pregnant, so I'm proof that you can get pregnant after a colectomy (even though the surgeon told me I may have problems getting pregnant, this one happened in one try).

I had an ileorectostemy, which is one step and entails no j-pouch. Because my rectum was in good shape (at the time, now it's worse) and so was my ileum, they were able to just connect them. They took out part of the rectum and part of the ileum, so it was more than just the colon that they took out, but they just stapled the rest. So it was a vevry smooth recovery.

Having PSC I was told means higher likelihood of chronic pouchitis. Sure, you can take antibiotics for it, but it's still a pain. Also, a j pouch makes getting pregnant even more difficult, though not impossible. So definitely look into the ileorectostomy option. I had mine done at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. I was fortunate in that my insurance recognized Mayo as a provider.

Good luck!

Ruth

>

> Hi everyone

> After a long and hard decision to make, I have elected to have a colectomy. I have exhausted all other options. I have been on predisone for years and it is the only medicine that somewhat controls my UC. I am meeting with a surgeon in a few weeks to discuss this option. I know many of you have had a colectomy and I would appreciate any feedback or questions that I should be asking the surgeon. I feel like I'm making the right decision, especially since I'm still in my early thirties, but of course I"m still somewhat scared. Thanks for all your help.

> Serbrina UC '01/PSC '04

>

Job Hunting? Start with the companies that posted job openings this week.

[Guest guest]

Serbina

Anything is better than desperately searching for a bathroom. I also had an ileostomy and wear an external pouch. I wasn't really given a choice for getting a J-pouch because of the constant risk of pouchitis. I'm glad I'm not taking antibiotics daily to prevent infections and I have to empty the pouch 3 or 4 times a day but never with any urgency. There have been a few "system failures" but I have a routine of changing everything every 4 days and it only takes about 5 minutes. There certainly are some self-image issues to work out but I am glad I had it done.

Long term insurance is important. I am on medicare and it covers the cost of the equiptment and it is expensive. The pouch and the wafer, which is the adhesive part that attaches to the skin and holds the pouch, costs @$10 with extras like adhesive cleaner and a skin barrier wipe which is like a primer for the skin. It adds up. .

I suggest that you have the doc set up an appointment with a stoma nurse to get the best advice. She/He deals with the people who have had ileostomies. Then you can compare that with the info from surgical team about J- pouches.

I would never choose to go back the days of UC.

Take Care

MizKit

Re: Colectomy Help

Hi, congratulations on making this important decision! I had a colectomy about a year and a half ago. I really didn't want to do it, but I'm SO glad I did!!! My quality of life is infinitely better. And I'm pregnant, so I'm proof that you can get pregnant after a colectomy (even though the surgeon told me I may have problems getting pregnant, this one happened in one try).

I had an ileorectostemy, which is one step and entails no j-pouch. Because my rectum was in good shape (at the time, now it's worse) and so was my ileum, they were able to just connect them. They took out part of the rectum and part of the ileum, so it was more than just the colon that they took out, but they just stapled the rest. So it was a vevry smooth recovery.

Having PSC I was told means higher likelihood of chronic pouchitis. Sure, you can take antibiotics for it, but it's still a pain. Also, a j pouch makes getting pregnant even more difficult, though not impossible. So definitely look into the ileorectostomy option. I had mine done at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. I was fortunate in that my insurance recognized Mayo as a provider.

Good luck!

Ruth

>

> Hi everyone

> After a long and hard decision to make, I have elected to have a colectomy. I have exhausted all other options. I have been on predisone for years and it is the only medicine that somewhat controls my UC. I am meeting with a surgeon in a few weeks to discuss this option. I know many of you have had a colectomy and I would appreciate any feedback or questions that I should be asking the surgeon. I feel like I'm making the right decision, especially since I'm still in my early thirties, but of course I"m still somewhat scared. Thanks for all your help.

> Serbrina UC '01/PSC '04

>

Job Hunting? Start with the companies that posted job openings this week.

[Guest guest]

Serbina

Anything is better than desperately searching for a bathroom. I also had an ileostomy and wear an external pouch. I wasn't really given a choice for getting a J-pouch because of the constant risk of pouchitis. I'm glad I'm not taking antibiotics daily to prevent infections and I have to empty the pouch 3 or 4 times a day but never with any urgency. There have been a few "system failures" but I have a routine of changing everything every 4 days and it only takes about 5 minutes. There certainly are some self-image issues to work out but I am glad I had it done.

Long term insurance is important. I am on medicare and it covers the cost of the equiptment and it is expensive. The pouch and the wafer, which is the adhesive part that attaches to the skin and holds the pouch, costs @$10 with extras like adhesive cleaner and a skin barrier wipe which is like a primer for the skin. It adds up. .

I suggest that you have the doc set up an appointment with a stoma nurse to get the best advice. She/He deals with the people who have had ileostomies. Then you can compare that with the info from surgical team about J- pouches.

I would never choose to go back the days of UC.

Take Care

MizKit

Re: Colectomy Help

Hi, congratulations on making this important decision! I had a colectomy about a year and a half ago. I really didn't want to do it, but I'm SO glad I did!!! My quality of life is infinitely better. And I'm pregnant, so I'm proof that you can get pregnant after a colectomy (even though the surgeon told me I may have problems getting pregnant, this one happened in one try).

I had an ileorectostemy, which is one step and entails no j-pouch. Because my rectum was in good shape (at the time, now it's worse) and so was my ileum, they were able to just connect them. They took out part of the rectum and part of the ileum, so it was more than just the colon that they took out, but they just stapled the rest. So it was a vevry smooth recovery.

Having PSC I was told means higher likelihood of chronic pouchitis. Sure, you can take antibiotics for it, but it's still a pain. Also, a j pouch makes getting pregnant even more difficult, though not impossible. So definitely look into the ileorectostomy option. I had mine done at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. I was fortunate in that my insurance recognized Mayo as a provider.

Good luck!

Ruth

>

> Hi everyone

> After a long and hard decision to make, I have elected to have a colectomy. I have exhausted all other options. I have been on predisone for years and it is the only medicine that somewhat controls my UC. I am meeting with a surgeon in a few weeks to discuss this option. I know many of you have had a colectomy and I would appreciate any feedback or questions that I should be asking the surgeon. I feel like I'm making the right decision, especially since I'm still in my early thirties, but of course I"m still somewhat scared. Thanks for all your help.

> Serbrina UC '01/PSC '04

>

Job Hunting? Start with the companies that posted job openings this week.

[Guest guest]

I just wanted to let you know you aren't the only wrestling with these life

altering choices. I have made my appt for April 17 to have my colon removed. I'm

having it done laparoscopically which reduces hospital day and helps with

recovery. I'm having it done in two steps so the pouch can heal. This is

recommended because I do have PSC and they want to give it some serious healing

time to try and avoid pouchitis. I'm not crazy about the ileostomy but I think I

can deal with it for a few months. My mind is spinning with all sorts of

questions, my surgeon gave me his email and he answers my questions immediately!

I'm lucky to have him! If you have any questions let me know, good luck!

Holly

[Guest guest]

Good luck to you as well. I know that this is the right decision and it will be great being able to do the things I love without having to worry where a bathroom is. Good luck and keep me posted.SerbrinaSent via BlackBerry by AT&TFrom: "gertzh49" Date: Tue, 24 Mar 2009 04:04:53 -0000To: < >Subject: Re: Colectomy Help I just wanted to let you know you aren't the only wrestling with these life altering choices. I have made my appt for April 17 to have my colon removed. I'm having it done laparoscopically which reduces hospital day and helps with recovery. I'm having it done in two steps so the pouch can heal. This is recommended because I do have PSC and they want to give it some serious healing time to try and avoid pouchitis. I'm not crazy about the ileostomy but I think I can deal with it for a few months. My mind is spinning with all sorts of questions, my surgeon gave me his email and he answers my questions immediately! I'm lucky to have him! If you have any questions let me know, good luck! Holly

[Guest guest]

Good luck to you as well. I know that this is the right decision and it will be great being able to do the things I love without having to worry where a bathroom is. Good luck and keep me posted.SerbrinaSent via BlackBerry by AT&TFrom: "gertzh49" Date: Tue, 24 Mar 2009 04:04:53 -0000To: < >Subject: Re: Colectomy Help I just wanted to let you know you aren't the only wrestling with these life altering choices. I have made my appt for April 17 to have my colon removed. I'm having it done laparoscopically which reduces hospital day and helps with recovery. I'm having it done in two steps so the pouch can heal. This is recommended because I do have PSC and they want to give it some serious healing time to try and avoid pouchitis. I'm not crazy about the ileostomy but I think I can deal with it for a few months. My mind is spinning with all sorts of questions, my surgeon gave me his email and he answers my questions immediately! I'm lucky to have him! If you have any questions let me know, good luck! Holly