Hi, Anyone from Connecticut?

Hi Catherine!
Yes, there are several of us from CT!! Have you had surgery? Are you contemplating having it? Let us know if you have any questions. The weekends on here are usually pretty quiet, so it might take some time to get some more responses.
Michele

Hi Michele, Thanks so much for the quick response. I had my j-pouch surgery in 1999/2000. I'm doing well and just wanted to check in. I haven't posted on this site in quite some time. It's nice to see people like you are keeping it a friendly, helpful web site.
I'll be around.
Take care,

Catherine;
My pouch is now 21yrs old. I come to the site to hopefully give some hope to new pouchers that only read the negative stuff on the web. Those of us doing so well tend to forget that others might need some help. Just trying to return the favor from those that helped me out before/during and after my pouch surgery. Where did you have your surgery done may I ask? I was operated on at Lahey, in 1986. Stick around...there are lots of folks that could benefit from your experiences!
Michele

We're from CT- my husband had UC, lots of surgeries since; doing incredibly well now. He had his jpouch done at Hartford Hospital by Dr. Paul Vignati, other surgeries since by Dr. V also. Great Dr. Hope you're well. You're right- this is a great web site. And Michele's one of the best. (Hi, Michele!)
Betsy & Paul

I use to live in Ledyard, near New London many years ago. My dad was stationed there.

Hi Catherin,
I'm from Voluntown, Ct. I suffered with UC for over 16 years. My first surgery was 01/02/07 and my takedown was 03/01/07. My surgeries were done at Hartford Hospital, by my new hero, Dr. Paul Vignati. I didn't dare dream I would feel as well as I do now.

I must agree too, this site and the people here are so great. I know it is biased, but the Connecticut people are so nice, and caring, just THE BEST! Paul and Betsy(grateful) were on the same floor during my 1st surgery, and gave me lots of ostomy tips, encouragement. Amanda (amzoro) and I were there at the same time for our takedowns. We have "compared notes", and by the grace of God, have both experienced amazing results.

Michele not only suggested Dr Vignati to me, but was my personal, guardian angel throughout the entire process. I couldn't imagine going through it all, and not having her support and friendship.
Monique

Hi Betsy, Paul, Monique and the "boys";
I am so glad to hear that everyone is doing so well!! It makes the few minutes a day I spend on the site all the more worthwhile! I know you will all pass on the help to others who will surely need it. There was no internet back in the stone age when I had my surgeries. I was lucky enough to have visits from past patients(there weren't that many) come to see me and call me to talk about the surgery.

Yes, Dr Vignati and the surgeons in his group are fabulous, we are so lucky to have them in Hartford. Please stay in touch everyone!! Monique...just read your pm..will respond in the morning!

Catherine...told ya you would get more responses during the week!! We do have a great group of folks here in CT!
Michele

Hello, Michele, Betsy & Paul, Don, & Monique, I guess so! Thanks for sharing.

I'm from Suffield, CT. Home of the highly insured, constitutional nutmeg...(kinda like Disney Land without the rides)... and I've never seen a nutmeg.

I had my J-pouch & takedown done in Troy, NY
followed by a bladder fistula repair done at St Francis in Hartford.

I've been pretty much trouble free since then aside from some trouble sleeping through the night, but I'm sure my eating habits contribute to that.
I love to cook and bake and don't restrict myself from any of the food groups, but I'm more cautious with amounts. Everything in moderation.

Maybe someday there will be a recipe section in this site and we can share our secret recipes.

God Bless, Cathy

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

Welcome, Catherin.
Lucky you! Suffield is a gorgeous town. We're right in Ellington.
Glad things are looking up for you...and great idea on the recipes!
Betsy & Paul

Thanks for the welcome Betsy & Paul,

We're almost neighbors! Ellington is also a beautiful town. I tried to find a place there before coming to Suffield.
I'm glad your husband is on the mend. Sounds like he had quite an ordeal. When did he have his surgeries?

God bless, Catherine

Catherin-
Paul had his jpouch done in Mar. of '05, takedown May of '05. He had chronic pouchitis/ failure almost immediately, and in Jan. of this year had his pouch removed and an end ileostomy put in. Life is great for him, he feels excellent, working full time, gaining weight. It was definitely the right thing to do.
I hesitate to tell people who are considering the jpouch about his ostomy "situation" as I don't want to scare anyone. But whatever happens, either way, life without ulcerative colitis is awesome, right?
Enjoy this beautiful weather we're (finally) having!
Betsy

Betsy and Paul;
Soooo very glad to hear that Paul is working and putting some lbs on!! Were all of his surgeries done at HH? I probably saw him at one point or another if he did! You are absolutely correct, life without UC, no matter what, is much better!

Isn't this CT weather finally gorgeous!? We deserve this!
Michele

Hi everyone I to live in CT I'm in North Haven had my surgeries at St Raphael's in New Haven. Had takedown in Dec. 2007 was doing pretty good except for butt burn ocassionaly but for the past two to three weeks been have butt burn everyday so bad I have to go home from work don't know why not really eating anything different but have been using all the creams everyone else uses on this site. I have to go in for more surgery in a few weeks because they found three cancerous tumors in my liver so I'm kind of thinking could this be because I'm so nervous about all this stuff that going on with me. If anyone could advise would be much appreciated

Hi - We, too, are from CT and it's great to read everyone's posts. My son has UC and is scheduled for ileostomy and J-pouch surgery at Yale next Friday. It's an emotional time for all of us but he is ready. Just wanted to thank everyone for all the sharing on this site. There are so many questions and fears of the unknown, you have all made it more understandable.