4 1/2 years ago I was sitting in a bed at Scripps Hospital in La Jolla,CA wondering what the heck I had done to myself. I had had the K pouch surgery two days before, I hadn't showered since and was having issues trying to keep my tube in. Blood clots and mucous were plugging the tube and I was absolutely sure that my life would be spent trying to unplug constant tube stoppages and having the feeling of being stuffed and bloated from here on out. Trapped in a hospital room 1400 miles away from home, I was sure I had made the dumbest decision of my life!

As it turned out, I made a decision that enabled me to live my life to its' fullest! 4 1/2 years on, my K pouch has functioned perfectly, so much so that I forget to empty all too often. If it weren't for the occasional leaky AmPatch, I would completely forget that I have to poop through a tube!! I have had no complications and live each day to the fullest. I eat whatever I want and don't worry about what it will when it comes out! I drink a lot of soda and don't worry about the gas. I eat nuts and mushrooms, things I wouldn't dare eat with the j pouch.

For those who are new to the K pouch, it CAN get better. For those who are considering the K pouch, it can be great. There ARE complications, but The benefits can easily outweigh the cons.

If you want to know more aboutmy experience with the K pouch, you can get a hold of me through the PM feature here of through JaniceM.

Sincerely and Happily,
Les

Such a nice feeling to be able to eat whatever you please. I also just eat anything I want.....fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, mushrooms, soda, beer and such...I just cruised alaska with 27 family and friends....food was the main topic...YEA for K pouches!!!!!
dmarie...southern california

Les! Long time since you've been here. I was just thinking about you a few days ago and wondering how you were.

Compared to what you were going through with the j-pouch this is night and day. And you certainly deserve to finally be enjoying life again. (For those who weren't around when Les had a j-pouch, he probably had one the the very worst-behaving j-pouches of all time. He couldn't eat, work, or enjoy life and yet he actually did continue working through his misery. I don't know how he did that.)

Thank you so much for checking in with the update. Nice to 'see' your face.

kathy

How lovely Les,
It sounds like you finally got what you deserve...a good, healty life...
I agree that when the k pouch works it is a veritable miracle...even now, after everything..I would recomend it hands down...
Enjoy your life but please don't forget to intubate.
Sharon

Les, I couldn't agree more. I am very happy with my kpouch. Still working on eating everything, but getting there.

Did you see i'm doing a 2nd half marathon this year...crazy I know, but so rewarding. It will take place 5 days before my 1 yr kpouch anniversary. Not bad huh?

BIG HUG Susan