Mar 18
Details on my upcoming surgery...
Ok. I will just be blunt here, no sugar coating at all. So in 4-6 weeks I am having my entire colon removed. Essentially known as a laproscopic colorectomy with a J-pouch, or more technically speaking a ileal-pouch anal anastomosis surgery. 2 surgeries are required. One major surgery to take out the colon and create the J-pouch plus install a ileostomy bag until the new site heals. After 3 months, 2nd sugery removes the bag and closes everything up. Eventually.... I will regain normal human functions after that (at least a month or 2). Basically I will be out of work for a good 5-6 months (yeah, MONTHS), maybe more if I have any complications from the surgeries.Why am I having this? 2 reasons. One, I've had Ulcerative Colitis for 10 years now without much response to medication. Essentially, i've been suffering from lot of symptoms I don't wish on anyone for a long time. Secondly, and more importantly, they found dysplasia in my colon from the colonoscopy biopsy performed a couple weeks ago. Dysplasia, from what I understand, is an early indicator that cancer is on it's way, but not here yet. So all doctors recommend to remove the colon to avoid the risk of cancer in the near future.
The surgeries and long recovery is going to be NO fun. But when the day comes that I recover fully, I will be pain free for the first time in 10 yrs! I can't wait! Also, I am SO lucky that they found the dysplasia before it turned into cancer. I know there are so many people who are not as fortunate as I am.
If it wasn't for the routine colonoscopy, who knows what might of happened. Ask your doctor today about getting your routine screening done!
