I got a cute calender of my 21 days in the Palms where I am having my BCIR. Here is the entry if anyone wants something to smile at. I see my surgeon on the 4th, admitted Thurs to the hospital, then surgery on the 9th. A bit nervous but it is this or a permanent ileostomy. After the tubes come out for one week after surgery I have to intubate every 2 hours then over the months I will figure out my draining schedule.

The hpsital is nice, I have my own suite with a tv, wifi, phone and fold out couch for overnight guests.
I hope the pain isn't to bad. I hear mixed reviews, we are all different I suppose with different surgeries. I have IC so a urologist will be in the OR to see if he can see any desmoids or scar tissue from 4 other surgeries that might be causing bladder pain. So I have my fingers crossed that I come out better all around.


my blog

Congratulations and good luck...for me the pain was a very relative thing...I went through my k pouch surgery without morphine drips and mega narcotics the first 3 times (3 step) and survived ok...just found it difficult to cough, stand, walk etc...now with the morphine pumps etc you are better able to get up and move around quicker which is so much better for you lungs and legs...it is a very personal experience and you must make sure that the pain team understand your requirements and listen to your needs...
Again, good luck, hang in there and I hope that this surgery is the very last that you ever have to have.
Sharon

have you gone to talk to them/ get examined in person yet? I am very interested in this procedure and plan on getting lots more info before I take the J-pouch plunge!

Hi Holly,I sent you a PM with my number in case you want to chat. I did almost 2 months of research on the BCIR since my time is limited and I was supposed to have my colon out this month. Jpouch isn't even an option since I had rectal T1 cancer so it was the BCIR, Kpouch or permanent bag. I went with the BCIR since it is a bit better and less complications I found out. My surgeons saw more kpouch issues than BCIR so that is the route I am going.

Otherwise, I have no real reason to meet in person. I did everything on the phone. They put you in contact with BCIR Alumni'so I talked to many people, all walks of life.

I would check this book out
http://www.amazon.com/COLITIS-...id=1321915712&sr=8-1

A man wrote about the BCIR who had UC.

Hi Vanessa Good luck with your surgery.I have a j pouch and had a operation 9 weeks ago for rectal cancer. I am waiting to get more healthy before I start on chemo.Will you be having chemo and do you know if it's a weekly over 6 months. You have done a lot of research I felt like I went into everything very blind sided and didn't have a clue how to deal with the pain nassuea and the stoma. I am finding this site is a great help and I admire everyones courage .
Good luck

So far no chemo. Radiation is what I would need though since I had rectal cancer if it spread,s o far it was only a T1. It is VERY unlikely I would need chemo/rads my oncologist said but anything is possible once they take everything put and have labs done.

No radiation for you? Hope not, that ruins the jpouch.


How is the weather in Australia? My husband and I were looking into moving there. Perhaps in a year

I had radiation before the op so now just the chemo.I live in Victoria on the Mornington Peninsula and the weather has been unpredictable with a lot of rain but also hot days.They say we will be in for a hot summer I live only a few mins from the beach so as this summer I need to keep out of the sun will be very quick cool offs.
where in Australia are you thinking of moving to?

We are thinking of Melbourne.

admitted yesterday. STARVING!!! Hate fasting when I can smell food and coffee in the hall.

Surgery is at 2pm. Palms is awesome!! All BCIR patients here and so many amenities other hospitals do not have.

good luck on your surgery can't wait to hear how everything went!!

everything went well! heavy pain meds so won't type to much. Been walking around since Day 3. Eating ice chips only for now until Popsicle day rolls around in 4 days.

Here is a photo of my incision and low slit where I "poop". I love my BCIR so far. Only thing I am struggling with is gas. man it hurts like hell. 2.5 weeks left then I can go home.

http://vanessaic.wordpress.com/2011/12/14/day5/

glad to hear you are getting along well and on target for that popsicle, I sure hope the gas pains go away they can def. be really painful.