Hello Everyone,

I am a relatively new J-Pouch patient and am happy to report that I'm doing well.

Prior to my surgery, however, I was in desperate need of encouragement and found it difficult to find many FEMALE success stories -- I saw a few blogs/stories by men who chronicled their journeys through surgery, but what I really wanted to see were stories by women who were not just surviving, but THRIVING post J-Pouch. I'm currently working on an awareness campaign about J-Pouch surgery and would love to hear from women who are living vibrant lives following surgery -- having babies, training for marathons, finishing degrees, traveling the world, working hard, and playing hard.

If you are a thriving female "Pouchie" and would like to share your story, please send me a message with a few lines about your life and your success. I'd love to hear from you! Together we can provide encouragement and inspiration to those facing surgery in the future.

Thanks,
Bridget

I would call myself one of your successes. I went through IVF at 39 years old and at 42, have a healthy, wonderful, nearly 2 year old miracle. I was a model pouch surgery patient - once I had my surgery, way back in 1995, I went on to live a very active and full and fun life. I've traveled to many states in the US, I've run several 5Ks and even worked a 2nd job as a security guard at a concert facility for several years, including my first year post-surgery. I also performed in a lot of theater and local film productions where I live and worked a 2nd job alongside my full-time day job whenever I wasn't in a production. I worked my 2nd job through my 7th month of pregnancy! I now spend most of my free time outside of work being a Mom, but am still working out and trying to be "fit after 40."

One thing I learned from being sick and going through surgery is to never take good health for granted. I am thankful every day when I don't wake up in crushing pain and when I don't spend my day running to whatever the closest bathroom is, doubled over in pain. From this start each day, every day has the potential to be a very good day, and I look for ways to improve myself and be a great wife and Mom while working a very challenging day job as well. Let me know if there's anything else I can add for you!

Thank you for responding! These are exactly the stories I needed to hear leading up to my own surgery. Based on my own experience and after talking to other patients, I think the positive stories need to be told.

Bridget,

I can't say that life is as easy as it was for me pre-pouch (I never had UC complications or hardly even symptoms for 13 years, but had my surgery due to dysplasia), but I can say that life is still moving forward for me as always.

I had my takedown almost a year ago. Even though I do have chronic pouchitis, it's mild and under control on meds. I felt really good and we wanted another child. So 6 months after takedown we decided to get pregnant and it happened the first month to our surprise. I'm now less than 3 months away from delivering our little boy and couldn't be more thrilled! Pregnancy has been more difficult than mine pre-pouch, but I don't think pregnancy is ever supposed to be easy :-)

My pouch doesn't run my life. I travel all the time, work a normal job, take care of my daughter, go out with my friends and family as normal...really not much has changed.

I think you'll do great!

I completely consider myself a success story.
With UC, I was existing but not necessarily living life because I just never felt well. I was in school but missed classes. I had friends but didn't go out as much as your typical 20 something... 1 spent my 21st birthday recovering from my 1st colonoscopy.

At 26, I had the colectomy,ileo& jpouch creation. 3 months later, I had my reversal. At 28, I graduated college, got married & had my 1st child all within that year. At 31, I am currently pregnant with my 2nd child. I live each day & feel wonderful. I appreciate the little moments.

Having UC, gave me perspective but having the jpouch gives me appreciation. I forgot how great life could be!

You ladies are terrific! Thanks so much for sharing your good news. Keep'em coming!