Hello, I'm trying to compile a list of j-pouchers in the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill area of North Carolina for local friendship and support. About once per month or two I have someone calling me requesting j-pouch surgery information, how I'm doing with my j-pouch, etc., and it would be great to have a list of local contacts to put them in touch with. It would also be great to meet up in person to talk as well. If any of this interests you please let me know.

Thanks and Happy New Year!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Lora,

Hi Lora --

My name is Frances. I live in Wake Forest,NC. I bet Dr. Koruda did your surgery. I had UC for 25 years before having my j-pouch surgeries in 2004. I am 53 now. I feel lucky when I read some of the entries on this site. My only problem ever has been pouchitis, which I keep under control with Entocort. I don't always feel the greatest but I count my blessings. I am (just in the past 2 days) having some issues with pain I've never had before, so may have to address that soon. How about you, what's your story?

I'd be glad to have an email friendship with other j-pouchers I the area. Let me know via this site what contact info you'd like.

Hi Lora,
My name is Lori. I had my J-Pouch surgery done @ UNC by Dr Koruda and Dr Behrens. My surgery was done in 3 stages because I was so sick by the time I was admitted to UNC. I had my takedown surgery 9 years ago today. I have been so blessed because I have not had one set back since the surgery. I am perfectly healthy. I now live in St Augustine Florida and just recently discovered that Dr. Behrens is practicing at Shands/UF located in Gainesville. This gave me some peace because I have always worried that if something did go wrong I would not have a trusted Doctor to see but now know I can drive 1.5 hours to Gainesville.

Hi Fellow Tarheels,

I see a lot of talk about Dr. Koruda here, and also yesterday met on-line a man who, too, had his surgery done by Dr. Koruda.

I have not yet met Dr. Koruda. I am scheduled to meet him for surgical consultation on May 8. You guys are J-Pouch veterans, but I have not had a surgery yet.

I have heard all good things about Dr. Koruda, and so far we feel blessed to have been referred over to UNC from here in Raleigh. Have any of you dealt with Dr. Sandler (GI) or Dr. Evans (onc./genetics) there? My wife and I met them with each of them two weeks ago and were very impressed with them both.

It seems I am a newbie here. Dr. Sandler is recommending a proctocolectomy with J-Pouch for me, probably, but next step is to confer with Dr. Koruda first. My "routine" 50 y.o. screening turned bad, and now I'll have my 4th colonoscopy since August, my first upper GI scope, and the surgical consult with Dr. K, all coming up on May 8. Polyposis syndrome because of a genetic mutation.

So far we don't know what timeframe for the surgery. If it remains preventive we may have some discretion, so I hope nothing on May 8 makes things speed up. (I want to take my wife on a nice second honeymoon before surgery!). I feel fine and have no symptoms of any kind, but they all say CRC is inevitable unless they remove my colon.

I'm getting quite an education from all my research and certainly from these forums. All of you guys do such a service for a still-in-shock newbie like me - and for one another, I can see. Who knew there is a little local community of folks with this similar surgery? I'm glad to meet you all here.

~~ Frank ~~

I came to this message a little late, but thought I'd reply and hope you get this. I live in Chapel Hill, NC and had my initial surgery (colon removal) on January 2 of this year by Dr. Timothy Sadiq... He is in the same clinic at UNC as Dr. Karuda.

I'd love to join a local friendship/support group! You can send me an e-mail at jen_girl@msn.com. I had asked my surgeon if there was a support group in the area, and his reply was to just take Imodium-AD 3 times a day and eat whatever I wanted. I was fortunate to come across this site in my web-searches and have been following it ever since. A heartfelt thanks to all of you who have shared your experiences!

I was hospitalized for 6 weeks after my initial surgery... I have a blog where I recorded the whole experience. I'd love to share it, but will put it in a separate entry.

Frank, whoever, please feel free to contact me. I've gotten so much from here, and it can only get better!

Jen_girl

Count me in! I live in southwest Durham near Jordan High School/Southpoint area. I had my first surgery at WFUBMC (Baptist) in 1996 for a perforated colon at age 18, due to UC. I lived with that for 11 years before having reversal surgery. The 2 surgeries for takedown were performed at Duke by Dr. Kirk Ludwig, who has since moved to Milwaukee. Since surgery, I've been GREAT!! No pouchitis, no leaks, sleep through the night...etc, etc. I don't come on these boards a lot because I don't have problems, but I have been doing more lurking and finding that I can post positive experiences and hopefully lift some spirits. Let me know how I can help!

~Tina

Just an update:
I am scheduled for my proctocolectomy/IPAA (J-Pouch) surgery at UNC on September 10.
My wife and I DID have a marvelous second honeymoon trip to L.A. and Maui - we got home a week ago, and I am so glad we decided to "just do it."
Now I have to get myself psyched up to quit smoking in advance of my surgery - after 36 years!
(I would be foolish not to take advantage of 7-10 days in the hospital as the best opportunity I can imagine to give up the cigarettes - hope this is not being unpatriotic of a No. Carolina Tarheel )
Am open to any advice, guidance, info folks think may benefit me as I gear up for this life-changing surgery!

~~ Frank ~~

Hi All,

My name is John and my family just moved to the area from NJ. Does anyone have recommendations for a doc/surgeon in the Cary/Apex area?

Thanks,

-John-

Dr. Mark Koruda at UNC-CH did my proctocolectomy/IPAA/J-Pouch surgery a few week ago - September 10. I just had my post-surgical follow-up appointment with him today. He did a great job with the surgery, was able to take care of everything in a single procedure, and has left me well on the road to recovery now. Physically I am feeling stronger every day, sexually everything sems to be working - it has been a fairly overwhelming and intense experience, but I am landing squarely on my feet, and I can strongly vouch for my team of Dr. Koruda (surgeon), Dr. Robert Sandler (GI specialist) and Dr. Jim Evans (genetic oncologist) over at UNC-CH. They have all three been top notch for me.
~~ Frank in NC ~~

Dr. David Maron did my JPouch... He is at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, its a teaching hospital. His office number is (215)662-8664... The whole staff was great, I can't say enough about Doc or the care I was given from the hospital!!

Hi All,
I moved to Greensboro (close enuf) 5 years ago. My surgery was performed when I lived near Boston at Beth Israel. I have a great GI doc at Duke clinic (Jane Onken).
Jerry

Hi Frank,
Dr. Sadiq who is in Dr Koruda's group did my surgery last year. I had to have 2 surgeries and then had a blood clot but once I recovered everything seems to be working ok. We have moved to Alexandria, VA and I am seeing a new Surgeon tomorrow to check for stricture in my bottom. Over all, I have to say UNC physcians are wonderful.
Kim

I had j-pouch surgury in April and am scheduled for take-down at the end of June. My surgeon was Dr. Julie Thacker at Duke. Very happy with her. Very easy to talk to and to reach when you need her.

Hey ,
I am new to this site but I had surgery in March 2004 and the take down in May 2004- Dr. Mark Koruda at UNC in Chapel Hill did my surgery. I live in Mebane and I am always interested in talking to people that have had or are going to have this surgery.Dr. Koruda has an awesome Nurse Amanda.I look forward to chatting and making new friends on here.

is anyone still talking about a support group, or is one in place? i just moved (back) to the area and am pleased to see a number of you live here too. i have an appointment with dr. julie thacker at duke in august to talk about step 2, anyone besides ron k ever see her?