hi folks- well, my date for surgery is November 14.... I met with the surgeon today at the Lahey Clinic in Burlington, Mass. I am choosing a permanent ileostomy, not a jpouch. There are too many "what if's" associated with the pouch, plus the 2 or more surgeries. It's just not for me. I have been flaring horribly for over a year now, have been hospitalized once already due to infections brought on by the many immunosuppresants I take, have become steroid dependent... & even on 60mgs of pred/day, I still have blood every time I use the bathroom. I am done. Yes, I'm scared & nervous, but I am very excited to be putting the past 2-3 years of illness behind me & focus on healing myself. Get this- after surgery, no meds, no dietary restrictions, no hemmorhoids, no running to the bathroom... I will never be straining & sweating on a toilet bowl again! Only to produce blood! Yes!!!!
I feel good about
my decision- I sought out 2nd opinions, & all doctors consulted felt that surgery was my best option. I do have one more remicade infusion in October, a double dose of it... I have very little hope for it doing anything, but hope dies hard. My docs feel that my chances of achieveing med induced remission are 10-20%. So barring some medical miracle, I will not be posting here much longer. I will let everyone know how the surgery goes, of course, but seeing as I don't have the Net at home it may be tough. Good luck, all of you... you've helped me a great deal. I wish everyone the best!
diagnosed '02