So a few Saturday mornings ago I woke up with stomach cramps and fatigue. My husband joked with me, suggesting maybe I shouldn’t have had the two glasses of wine the previous night. I went about my day, the pain waxing and waning. Then Sunday, an atrocious pain woke me up at 5am. It continued to worsen, so we went to the hospital. They couldn’t find anything wrong except the pain, so I INSISTED they do a C Diff test (btw the ER doc said ‘I don’t think it’s that, your white blood count is fine and you have no fever, but I can do it if you want me to….’) They admitted me, and 24 hours later the test results showed positive for C Diff. I was put on IV Flagyl, oral vacomycin, saccharomyces boulardii and lactobacillus (the last two are probiotics). The pain lessened, so I was released on Friday. I’m still fatigued and kind of crampy.
My concern is that this is the third time I’ve had this blasted bug, so why isn’t the treatment different? My GI suggested a new antibiotic called Dificid, but the hospital doctors refused to put me on it due to cost. I guess it’s pretty expensive. The infectious disease doc suggested doing the vaco taper a little differently – one week on, one week off for a month. Also, he suggested fecal transplant, which I am all for, but no doctors in Northeastern Ohio do them. I've been reaching out to doctors in RI and NY, but so far, no luck.
My other concern is that I am going to be more susceptible to having chronic pouchitis (an infection of the jpouch - symptoms resemble Ulcerative Colitis) because of recurrent c diff when I finally get the reversal done. Up to now, I’ve been assuming that this surgical option is curative, but I do have to be prepared if the pouch fails to have a permanent ileostomy. Not sure how I feel about that.
Because of this recurrent infection, my surgery has been postponed to December 20th. Super, right before Christmas. The up side is I won't have to cook and no one will expect me to do anything or go anywhere. The holidays will be ALOT less stressful this year!
So, for now, I'm laying low and hoping that damned C Diff stays away!!!!
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Why?
'Why' is a common question to an uncommon event. Why me? Why now? Why digestive disease? Knowing why something happens provides comfort and a sense of order. If I know why something happens, I have the power to remedy it and avoid making choices that lead to a similar outcome, right? Sometimes the search for 'why' in absence of a concrete reason can result in irrational and self defeating rationales. During the worst periods of the colitis chaos, I actually sort of believed that God was punishing me. Jeff, the kids & I had spent Thanksgiving with some old friends in Denver instead of family (yep, got lots of grief from the fam for doing that) and the UC symptoms began shortly after we returned to Cleveland. Fortunately, the rational part of my brain kicked in after weaning off all the crazy drugs, so the thought was rather fleeting. However, I cannot stop wondering about the etiology of IBD's.
Officially, the cause of inflammatory bowel disease, UC and Crohn's, is not known. A vague combination of genetic and environmental factors precipitate the disease, according to doctors and research scientists, but no empirical data have pinpointed any one cause. Diet and stress can make IBD symptoms worse and even trigger a flare up, but, according to the medical community, are not causative factors. Of late, researchers have been exploring theories involving the immune system. Specifically, a bacterium or virus causes the immune system to attack the pathogen, but in genetically predisposed individuals, the immune system continues to go haywire. One doctor explained it to me like this: people with allergies are predisposed to have sensitivities to certain environmental factors, and develop symptoms when exposed to them. Same thing with IBDs. However, no one has identified the responsible gene(s) or environmental factor(s). This explanation from John's Hopkins made the most sense to me: http://www.hopkins-gi.org/GDL_Disease.aspx?CurrentUDV=31&GDL_Cat_ID=83F0F583-EF5A-4A24-A2AF-0392A3900F1D&GDL_Disease_ID=2A4995B2-DFA5-4954-B770-F1F5BAFED033
What IS known and agreed-upon is that IBDs are more prevalent in northern hemisphere industrialized nations, specifically Northern Europe and North America. Research has suggested that the occurrence of IBD's is rising in lower incidence areas. Some researchers argue that as western influences infiltrate eastern and third world countries, and as more people from non-westernized countries move to industrialized nations, IBD cases with this group of people increase dramatically. So of course, there are a number of (unproven) theories floating around: vitamin D deficiencies, increased stress, reliance on processed and genetically modified foods, lactose intolerance, administration of hormones and antibiotics in livestock and probably others I haven't run across.
My personal theory is that food DOES have something to do with the development of digestive disease. Digestive disease incident rates have increased over the years http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090210133922.htm while major agribusiness companies like Monsanto, BASF, etc. started introducing genetically modified, weed/insect resistant seeds in the mid-1990's. http://www.globalresearch.ca/gmo-scandal-the-long-term-effects-of-genetically-modified-food-on-humans/ Meat producers have been giving antibiotics and hormones to their livestock for years http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/meat/safe/overview.html.
An interesting phenomena I have noticed while creeping on IBD websites and chatrooms is that anecdotally, many IBD patients report a decrease in symptoms while adhering to non-dairy, non-grain, low sugar diets that are vegetarian or include grass vs. grain-fed poultry and meats. (There have been no large-scale studies looking at curative factors in these types of diets that I know of because who would fund them? Agribusiness & drug companies could, but have obvious conflicts of interest). So, perhaps genetically predisposed individuals might be more sensitive to processed foods that contain these chemically altered ingredients which, over time, might build up enough in the gut to cause a flare.
The bottom line is, nobody knows for sure. However, since I became sick, my stock of processed foods has dwindled dramatically and the meat I buy is free-range and/or grass-fed. I'm not taking any chances with my kids!!!!
Officially, the cause of inflammatory bowel disease, UC and Crohn's, is not known. A vague combination of genetic and environmental factors precipitate the disease, according to doctors and research scientists, but no empirical data have pinpointed any one cause. Diet and stress can make IBD symptoms worse and even trigger a flare up, but, according to the medical community, are not causative factors. Of late, researchers have been exploring theories involving the immune system. Specifically, a bacterium or virus causes the immune system to attack the pathogen, but in genetically predisposed individuals, the immune system continues to go haywire. One doctor explained it to me like this: people with allergies are predisposed to have sensitivities to certain environmental factors, and develop symptoms when exposed to them. Same thing with IBDs. However, no one has identified the responsible gene(s) or environmental factor(s). This explanation from John's Hopkins made the most sense to me: http://www.hopkins-gi.org/GDL_Disease.aspx?CurrentUDV=31&GDL_Cat_ID=83F0F583-EF5A-4A24-A2AF-0392A3900F1D&GDL_Disease_ID=2A4995B2-DFA5-4954-B770-F1F5BAFED033
What IS known and agreed-upon is that IBDs are more prevalent in northern hemisphere industrialized nations, specifically Northern Europe and North America. Research has suggested that the occurrence of IBD's is rising in lower incidence areas. Some researchers argue that as western influences infiltrate eastern and third world countries, and as more people from non-westernized countries move to industrialized nations, IBD cases with this group of people increase dramatically. So of course, there are a number of (unproven) theories floating around: vitamin D deficiencies, increased stress, reliance on processed and genetically modified foods, lactose intolerance, administration of hormones and antibiotics in livestock and probably others I haven't run across.
My personal theory is that food DOES have something to do with the development of digestive disease. Digestive disease incident rates have increased over the years http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090210133922.htm while major agribusiness companies like Monsanto, BASF, etc. started introducing genetically modified, weed/insect resistant seeds in the mid-1990's. http://www.globalresearch.ca/gmo-scandal-the-long-term-effects-of-genetically-modified-food-on-humans/ Meat producers have been giving antibiotics and hormones to their livestock for years http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/meat/safe/overview.html.
An interesting phenomena I have noticed while creeping on IBD websites and chatrooms is that anecdotally, many IBD patients report a decrease in symptoms while adhering to non-dairy, non-grain, low sugar diets that are vegetarian or include grass vs. grain-fed poultry and meats. (There have been no large-scale studies looking at curative factors in these types of diets that I know of because who would fund them? Agribusiness & drug companies could, but have obvious conflicts of interest). So, perhaps genetically predisposed individuals might be more sensitive to processed foods that contain these chemically altered ingredients which, over time, might build up enough in the gut to cause a flare.
The bottom line is, nobody knows for sure. However, since I became sick, my stock of processed foods has dwindled dramatically and the meat I buy is free-range and/or grass-fed. I'm not taking any chances with my kids!!!!
Friday, September 7, 2012
Surgery #2
I was stoked about the second surgery. Even a little giddy. My health and energy nearly restored, I just wanted my body back functioning the way it used to. After this surgery, I'd be more than halfway there.
The second surgery typically is the roughest on your body. The surgeon has to scrape off any scar tissue that formed after the first surgery, then manipulate the small intestine into the J-shape and attach it to the exit chute. It's a long surgery, 3-5 hours depending upon how much scar tissue you have. The surgeon assured me my surgery wouldn't take so long because, "you are young and skinny, It won't be so bad." It took seven hours. I gave him shit about that one, believe me.
Waking up after surgery was painful, but not bad enough to scream profanities in the recovery room. Maybe because I was more prepared and calmer going into this one, I managed the pain more effectively. Or, maybe the anesthesiologist knew I was the crazy screaming lady and gave me a stronger hit of narcotics as I came to. Who knows. During the days after the surgery, I did notice that the pain was more intense. Laughing was not so funny anymore, and sneezing was just a bitch, but that is what Percocet is for. That stuff is awesome. It's a good thing my Rx was NOT refillable.
It has been about 3 weeks since surgery. Recovery has been uneventful and pretty boring, actually. Walking, resting, reading, eating, repeat. Yawn. I will take boredom over sick and fatigued, though. When I wake up every morning I thank God for the energy and vigor I have regained. Katie observed, "you are much more spunky after this surgery than the last one, Mommy." I am almost back.
I have a follow up appointment in early October to make sure the j-pouch works, then will schedule the 3rd surgery. Typically you have to heal for 3 months following the 2nd surgery, so I'm hoping mid-Novemberish for #3.
Til then, my goal is to lay low and heal.
The second surgery typically is the roughest on your body. The surgeon has to scrape off any scar tissue that formed after the first surgery, then manipulate the small intestine into the J-shape and attach it to the exit chute. It's a long surgery, 3-5 hours depending upon how much scar tissue you have. The surgeon assured me my surgery wouldn't take so long because, "you are young and skinny, It won't be so bad." It took seven hours. I gave him shit about that one, believe me.
Waking up after surgery was painful, but not bad enough to scream profanities in the recovery room. Maybe because I was more prepared and calmer going into this one, I managed the pain more effectively. Or, maybe the anesthesiologist knew I was the crazy screaming lady and gave me a stronger hit of narcotics as I came to. Who knows. During the days after the surgery, I did notice that the pain was more intense. Laughing was not so funny anymore, and sneezing was just a bitch, but that is what Percocet is for. That stuff is awesome. It's a good thing my Rx was NOT refillable.
It has been about 3 weeks since surgery. Recovery has been uneventful and pretty boring, actually. Walking, resting, reading, eating, repeat. Yawn. I will take boredom over sick and fatigued, though. When I wake up every morning I thank God for the energy and vigor I have regained. Katie observed, "you are much more spunky after this surgery than the last one, Mommy." I am almost back.
I have a follow up appointment in early October to make sure the j-pouch works, then will schedule the 3rd surgery. Typically you have to heal for 3 months following the 2nd surgery, so I'm hoping mid-Novemberish for #3.
Til then, my goal is to lay low and heal.
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Summer Blessings
Just re-read all the previous posts. Wow. Things were pretty grim through May, huh? The good news was, after the turbo antibiotics annihilated that last episode of C. Diff, my health started to improve dramatically. I actually felt NORMAL for the first time in six months. My energy returned and I was gaining weight (I weighed in at 105 following one of my hospital discharges. I am 5'7". 105 is not a pretty sight on my frame. I remember just staring at myself in the mirror thinking, "Karen Carpenter is in my room. For the love of God, will somebody PLEASE feed her?!?!?!). I was finally off all the crazy painkillers and other drugs I kept bringing home with each doctors' appointment. Woo-hoo! I even started running again. Not very far or very fast, but enough to experience that wonderful endorphin rush I had been missing for months.
Summer was AWEsome. It was the first summer that I hadn't worked in a while, so hanging out with Katie and Jake, their friends, and the moms was a real treat. I took my time soaking in the long, lazy summer days. The crew and I spent time sailing with my dad, visiting with friends and family, and vacationing in the Outer Banks, NC. Life was good, and kept getting better.
With renewed health, energy, and that annoying drug-induced fog lifted, I could reflect upon all the blessings in my life, most importantly, my amazing husband. My illness literally came out of nowhere. I had no time to prepare family meals, organize kids' school & sports/extracurricular logistics, or take care of household management issues. I was too sick to comfort my own children when I was home in between hospital visits. In the midst of all of that, Jeff shone like the rock star that he is. He has this amazing ability to remain unruffled, even-keeled, and positive at all times. His even demeanor and level headedness kept the kids calm, the house from imploding, and everybody got to where they needed to be on time. There were no balls dropped on Jeff 's watch. Jeff was my voice at the hospital and to the doctors & medical staff when I was in too much pain or drugged up to articulate effectively. He was my brain when I couldn't think through a medical decision. He patiently repeated doctors' explanations of my condition, procedures, and treatment approaches multiple times to me when the meds mangled my short term memory. He was right there beside me for every moan and groan I uttered. He bitched loud and long to the nurses when a private room was not available, refusing to relent until they found one for me. That man is my rock.
Katie & Jake are simply amazing. They have been so strong and brave through everything. We spent alot of time talking about their fears and worries about what was going on with my body. But they are smart and resilient. They absorbed the medical explanations of UC and the surgical plan like a sponge, and seemed comforted by the information, knowing an end was in sight. Not once did they complain about how my illness interfered with their lives. They were happy when I was up and about, and let me rest when exhaustion and fatigue overcame me. I am so proud of them.
The grandparents have been great. We are lucky to have both sets living within an hour and a quarter of us. During my hospital stays, they took turns staying at the house helping out with the kids and household concerns. Their presence was comforting to the kids and helpful to Jeff. After each hospital discharge, my mom stayed with me. "I'll be your arms and legs," she declared, assuming all cooking, laundry, pet feeding, and housekeeping duties. Needless to say, things were much more organized and tidy when she was here!
My friends have been wonderful. Each time I was hospitalized, the Cleveland ladies organized meal delivery schedules and carpools, brought me thoughtfully selected books and trashy magazines to pass the time and shared precious words of encouragement and love. My dear friend Susan came up from Columbus to fill my house with joy and laughter, giving my kids respite from their mom's gloomy presence. While she was here, she cooked dinner and grocery shopped. A birdfeeder she gave me sits right outside my bedroom window so I can enjoy my backyard's aviary action from my bed.
I am so grateful to have such a great family and all of these wonderful ladies in my life. There is nothing more important in life than who you love
Summer was AWEsome. It was the first summer that I hadn't worked in a while, so hanging out with Katie and Jake, their friends, and the moms was a real treat. I took my time soaking in the long, lazy summer days. The crew and I spent time sailing with my dad, visiting with friends and family, and vacationing in the Outer Banks, NC. Life was good, and kept getting better.
With renewed health, energy, and that annoying drug-induced fog lifted, I could reflect upon all the blessings in my life, most importantly, my amazing husband. My illness literally came out of nowhere. I had no time to prepare family meals, organize kids' school & sports/extracurricular logistics, or take care of household management issues. I was too sick to comfort my own children when I was home in between hospital visits. In the midst of all of that, Jeff shone like the rock star that he is. He has this amazing ability to remain unruffled, even-keeled, and positive at all times. His even demeanor and level headedness kept the kids calm, the house from imploding, and everybody got to where they needed to be on time. There were no balls dropped on Jeff 's watch. Jeff was my voice at the hospital and to the doctors & medical staff when I was in too much pain or drugged up to articulate effectively. He was my brain when I couldn't think through a medical decision. He patiently repeated doctors' explanations of my condition, procedures, and treatment approaches multiple times to me when the meds mangled my short term memory. He was right there beside me for every moan and groan I uttered. He bitched loud and long to the nurses when a private room was not available, refusing to relent until they found one for me. That man is my rock.
Katie & Jake are simply amazing. They have been so strong and brave through everything. We spent alot of time talking about their fears and worries about what was going on with my body. But they are smart and resilient. They absorbed the medical explanations of UC and the surgical plan like a sponge, and seemed comforted by the information, knowing an end was in sight. Not once did they complain about how my illness interfered with their lives. They were happy when I was up and about, and let me rest when exhaustion and fatigue overcame me. I am so proud of them.
The grandparents have been great. We are lucky to have both sets living within an hour and a quarter of us. During my hospital stays, they took turns staying at the house helping out with the kids and household concerns. Their presence was comforting to the kids and helpful to Jeff. After each hospital discharge, my mom stayed with me. "I'll be your arms and legs," she declared, assuming all cooking, laundry, pet feeding, and housekeeping duties. Needless to say, things were much more organized and tidy when she was here!
My friends have been wonderful. Each time I was hospitalized, the Cleveland ladies organized meal delivery schedules and carpools, brought me thoughtfully selected books and trashy magazines to pass the time and shared precious words of encouragement and love. My dear friend Susan came up from Columbus to fill my house with joy and laughter, giving my kids respite from their mom's gloomy presence. While she was here, she cooked dinner and grocery shopped. A birdfeeder she gave me sits right outside my bedroom window so I can enjoy my backyard's aviary action from my bed.
I am so grateful to have such a great family and all of these wonderful ladies in my life. There is nothing more important in life than who you love
Hospitalization #3
On May 19th, my family and I looked forward to a fun-filled day. Both sets of grandparents came up to watch Jake's baseball game. Afterwards, we would have a little party celebrating Katie's birthday. She turned 9 on the 18th. At the early afternoon baseball game, however, I noticed some vague cramping in my abdomen. It continued to worsen, and by the time we set out cake and presents later that afternoon, I was in bed writhing with pain while everyone sang Happy Birthday to Katie. By 8pm, Jeff drove me to Hillcrest once again. I had a partial small bowel obstruction. Given my history, Hillcrest transferred me to the Clinic's main campus for treatment. By the time the ambulance came to transport me, I could not stand upright and could not stop vomiting. They shoved a tube up my nose and down my throat to suck out the remaining contents of my stomach and intestines. The ambulance drivers gave me a barf bag and off we went. Good times.
At main campus, my treatment would be bowel rest, meaning I could have nothing to eat or drink for the next few days while the nasal-to-belly tube sucked everything out of my body. The good news was that I had a morphine drip for pain so resided in La-la land for much of my stay. Because I was feverish and my white blood cell count was pretty high, someone took a stool sample that tested positive for C. Diff. Really?? Again?? C. Diff. surfaced only in the colon, I had thought. Apparently I was among the unlucky minority to contract the bacterium in my small bowel. Hooray for me. (more info about C. Diff in the small intestines: http://www.gutpathogens.com/content/1/1/7 )
One of the colorectal docs finally explained what was going on. The C. Diff. caused the small intestines to become inflamed. The inflammation was severe enough to create a blockage, so nothing could move through. After a few days of IV Flagyl and oral Vancomyacin, the C. Diff went away and the blockage resolved. Whew! Got out of there after only 5 days. From a hospital stay perspective, I was improving, right?
At main campus, my treatment would be bowel rest, meaning I could have nothing to eat or drink for the next few days while the nasal-to-belly tube sucked everything out of my body. The good news was that I had a morphine drip for pain so resided in La-la land for much of my stay. Because I was feverish and my white blood cell count was pretty high, someone took a stool sample that tested positive for C. Diff. Really?? Again?? C. Diff. surfaced only in the colon, I had thought. Apparently I was among the unlucky minority to contract the bacterium in my small bowel. Hooray for me. (more info about C. Diff in the small intestines: http://www.gutpathogens.com/content/1/1/7 )
One of the colorectal docs finally explained what was going on. The C. Diff. caused the small intestines to become inflamed. The inflammation was severe enough to create a blockage, so nothing could move through. After a few days of IV Flagyl and oral Vancomyacin, the C. Diff went away and the blockage resolved. Whew! Got out of there after only 5 days. From a hospital stay perspective, I was improving, right?
Surgery #1. The aftermath.
I do not remember alot about surgery day. I remember intense anxiety, shaking uncontrollably while being wheeled to the operating room. My heart rate was easily over 100 bpm. Someone gave me a sedative to help me calm the hell down. Not sure it worked. I remember my surgeon telling me everything would be ok. I think I believed him. Then what seemed like 2 seconds later, I woke up in recovery feeling like someone was stabbing me in the gut. It was the worst pain I ever felt, worse than childbirth. I was screaming and sobbing hysterically. Jeff (my hero) was there, yelling at people to get me more pain meds. A nurse came over and asked me to rate my pain from 0 to 10. "Eleven!!! Turn on the morphine drip for fuck's sake!" is how I think I replied. Turned out, they had me on a max dose of Fenalyn, which was promptly doubled following my outburst. Pain management is a priority at the Clinic.
Fortunately, the pain subsided to a manageable level so I was finally wheeled up to my room for the next several days. I remember looking at my new stoma. I expected to be completely freaked out over having to poop in a bag for the next several months, but I wasn't. The stoma was not as gross as I had imagined, and the bag was not that unwieldy. The best strategy, I decided, was to become a stoma care taking champ. My stoma nurse said I was the smartest stoma patient in the hospital because I demonstrated competence in changing the appliance after just one lesson. Actually, I think it had more to do with attitude than intelligence. Alot of patients apparently are unsettled by the whole stoma situation, so avoid dealing with it. As a result, they have more problems taking care of it. To anyone who has to face this, my advice is to embrace it. Learn everything you can about how your stoma works and how to care for it. Your life will be much, much easier:
http://www.ostomy.org/ostomy_info/
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/Documents/Digestive_Disease/HavingIleostomy.pdf
In the hospital the doctors and nurses wanted to get me on my feet as soon as possible and walk. It was excruciating at first, but I did feel much better after each walk, so set goals to increase my distance each time. Eating solid food without incident and stoma care competence summed up the discharge criteria this time around. Fortunately, I had no problems with either, so went home within the week. Returning home (Feb 20-something) was amazing! I was exhausted, but elated not to be so sick anymore! Recovery from the end of February to May was up and down. I had good days and bad days. Mostly, I was exhausted and napped alot. I was determined to heal, however, so walked everyday.
In May, I started to feel sick again and was experiencing several episodes per day of cramping with bloody discharge coming out of my bum. The surgeon's office referred me to a gastroenterologist, who diagnosed me with 'diversion proctitis.' This basically means that the ulcerative colitis was flaring up in the rectal stump (proctitis is ulcerative colitis occuring in the rectum only) My surgeon left behind as a placeholder until the second surgery would replace it with the J-Pouch. He prescribed some steroid foam, which helped to calm it down somewhat. However, on May 19th, I experienced excruciating stomach pains and was yet again rushed to the hospital.
Fortunately, the pain subsided to a manageable level so I was finally wheeled up to my room for the next several days. I remember looking at my new stoma. I expected to be completely freaked out over having to poop in a bag for the next several months, but I wasn't. The stoma was not as gross as I had imagined, and the bag was not that unwieldy. The best strategy, I decided, was to become a stoma care taking champ. My stoma nurse said I was the smartest stoma patient in the hospital because I demonstrated competence in changing the appliance after just one lesson. Actually, I think it had more to do with attitude than intelligence. Alot of patients apparently are unsettled by the whole stoma situation, so avoid dealing with it. As a result, they have more problems taking care of it. To anyone who has to face this, my advice is to embrace it. Learn everything you can about how your stoma works and how to care for it. Your life will be much, much easier:
http://www.ostomy.org/ostomy_info/
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/Documents/Digestive_Disease/HavingIleostomy.pdf
In the hospital the doctors and nurses wanted to get me on my feet as soon as possible and walk. It was excruciating at first, but I did feel much better after each walk, so set goals to increase my distance each time. Eating solid food without incident and stoma care competence summed up the discharge criteria this time around. Fortunately, I had no problems with either, so went home within the week. Returning home (Feb 20-something) was amazing! I was exhausted, but elated not to be so sick anymore! Recovery from the end of February to May was up and down. I had good days and bad days. Mostly, I was exhausted and napped alot. I was determined to heal, however, so walked everyday.
In May, I started to feel sick again and was experiencing several episodes per day of cramping with bloody discharge coming out of my bum. The surgeon's office referred me to a gastroenterologist, who diagnosed me with 'diversion proctitis.' This basically means that the ulcerative colitis was flaring up in the rectal stump (proctitis is ulcerative colitis occuring in the rectum only) My surgeon left behind as a placeholder until the second surgery would replace it with the J-Pouch. He prescribed some steroid foam, which helped to calm it down somewhat. However, on May 19th, I experienced excruciating stomach pains and was yet again rushed to the hospital.
Surgery
"GET THAT BITCH OUT!!!" I think was one of the first things I said upon meeting my surgeon, terrified that my colon would blow any second. The recommended surgical remedy for UC is J-Pouch surgery. The surgeon removes the colon and rectum, creates the J-Pouch, a substitute reservoir for waste products, with the end of the small intestine. It is kind of folded up and sewed together, resembling a J shape. The pouch is then connected to the anus. The procedure is usually done in 2 surgeries. In the first, the surgeon removes the colon and rectum, creates the J-Pouch and a temporary loop ileostomy, which is part of the small intestine that is diverted to the outside of the abdominal wall. A cherry-tomato-sized piece of the intestine, called a stoma, releases waste into an external bag connected to the abdomen. This allows the pouch to heal properly. The second surgery occurs about 3 months after the first and is called a 'reversal' or 'takedown.' The surgeon sews up the diverted small intestine and closes up the stoma. Voila! Waste again exits the body the way nature intended.
More info about surgery mechanics:
http://www.clevelandclinic.org/lp/j-pouch/index.html
http://www.j-pouch.org/illustratedpouch/index.html
http://www.j-pouch.org/Illust.html
Because I was so sick, my procedure would take 3 surgeries: the first to remove the colon, the second six months later to remove the rectum and create the J-pouch, and the third three months following the second to do the takedown.
More info about surgery mechanics:
http://www.clevelandclinic.org/lp/j-pouch/index.html
http://www.j-pouch.org/illustratedpouch/index.html
http://www.j-pouch.org/Illust.html
Because I was so sick, my procedure would take 3 surgeries: the first to remove the colon, the second six months later to remove the rectum and create the J-pouch, and the third three months following the second to do the takedown.
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