Hi, I found this site by accident, and having been looking up all sorts of information on here since then... my husband was just diagnosed with FAP on June 5th this year and is getting ready to have the J pouch surgery on July 3rd. I am just looking for advice, words of wisdom, things you wish someone had told you before, anything really, this is scary for us and very trying and I am looking for the best way to help him to get through this. We just moved to a new house, we have a baby daughter due in September, and a month ago we didn't even know FAP existed, let alone that he would be having major surgery!!! Any advice for how to cope with the emotions involved? What should we expect? Anything is appreciated, thanks so much for your time!!!

Hi. We are kind of new here too. My 17 year old daughter is having step 1 on July 3 too. She has ulcerative colitis. Stay positive. We are trying not to look at surgery as giving in but rather as moving on to a healthier life.

I posted in your other thread.........but thought I'd come over here and post too.

Remember to take a deep breath..........then breath it out. The anxiety, anxiousness and flat out scari-ness of this is normal! Trust me! Your husband waited alot longer than I did to have my surgery after diagnosis.

PM me, please. I'm curious.

I would offer this to you, make sure his will is up to date and he has the necessary living will and power's of attorney done ~ just in case. It never hurts to be prepared in case the worst happens while in surgery. This is, after all, pretty major surgery. (I made sure all my "affairs" were in order just prior to surgery.......)

Look forward to hearing from you at your convenience.

Charlie

When I read Charlie's advice to you about your husband updating his will and living will I thought "what scary advice to tell someone"
Truth is: I did it every time I went for surgery It's important

Your husband needs to enter surgery with the mindset that he is getting rid of a disease and becoming healthy!

Hopefully he will have no post surgical problems. If he does, this is a great place to come for help.

Good luck!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: lesrich1,

It sounds as though your husband wasn't/isn't feeling sick adn that this diagnosis was a total surprise. That makes the adjustment harder in my opinion. I think the important thing to keep in mind is that FAP can jeopardize his health over the long term and taking care of this issue now will hopefully keep you all from having to deal with extedned health issues in the future.

Congrats on your daughter's coming arrival - I think having something so positive and joyful to look forward to will help you all get through this scary time. Just know that as bad as things may seem right now, chances are you will look back in September and say "look how far we've come"

Oh, if you live in a 2 story house........might wanna make sure there's a "nest" downstairs where he can stay for a while........those stairs will be nearly impossible for a while after surgery.

Josie and Josh. Preparing for any surgery can be a nervous time esp for major surgery like this. I had my J pouch surgery in 2005 after having my entire large bowel removed 12 months prior. In between I had an iliostomy bag.

I look back no and wonder how did I ever cope with the pain attacks etc prior to all my surgery. Remember every hour after the surgery you will start to feel better. It is a long a nd slow process to full recovery but keep this in your mind, you will have a far better quality of life after the surgery. As you pouch matures you will become used to it. Pardon the pun but it can be a pain in the a.s having to go to the toilet more often than not but you will learn to control it and learn what foods you should avoid. I am a 40 year old male police officer and work as if there was nothing wrong with me. I just completed a half marathon so look ahead to good times andbo more pain.

Sean in Australia.

Just in case anyone is curious........Josh is doing EXCELLENT! I have been in rather constant contact with them since exchanging a few PM's with them.

He should be coming home tomorrow from the hospital after the initial surgery.