Hi Just had take down surgery in December of 06 so only a few months out. Looking to make some new friends here in AZ.

LOL DOes anyone in Arizona use this site??? Would like to meet other AZ J pouchers

We are the only two I think

could be.......WHERE ARE ALL YOU OTHER ZONIES WITH J POUCHES ?????????????LOL

im from arizona! did you guys have your surgeries at the mayo hospital?

No my Surgery was at Banner Desert Dr. V

Hey Arizona gang. I missed you! I had my surgery at Banner Good Sam in Phoenix, Arizona by Dr. Eugene Kim, an Amazing surgeon

After surgery I moved back to Northwest Indiana with my hubby. It would have been nice to have met up with you when I lived out there.

Stay cool!

I had my surgeries at Scottsdale Osborn, but now I have Mayo insurance and so all my docs are there. Quit a difference, but I really liked my surgeon at Scottsdale: Andrew Kassir. Very thankful for him.

Hi Tat2d,
I'm still here. Wondergirl, Dr. Kim was my assistant surgeon and checked on me post surgery...it was his "on call" weekend. Dr. Ann Kalhorn was my surgeon at Good Sam, with Dr. Kim assisting. I was to have my reversal in June, but it's been pushed back to August 30. Kalhorn will do this one as well.

valerie129-is that difference a better difference or what?

Arizonafour,

Next time you see Dr. Kim, please tell him I said hi and thank you for my new wonderful disease free life. Dr. Kalhorn assisted with one of my surgeries. They did a great job!

Jennay...yes it has been a nice difference! I have had pretty good experiences at Mayo, I noticed you recently had your surgery...did you have it at Mayo?

Wondergirl... I'll be happy to say Hi to Dr. Kim for you... Does he know you as 'gutless wondergirl'? Ha. Since my surgery is on a Thursday maybe I'll see him on the weekend if he's on call again. He was very nice and I thought he looked about 18. Ha. But the anesthesiologist looked 14 so I must be getting older. I'm not even 40 yet... my oncologist (UC turned to cancer) is my age! It's wierd.

No, he wouldn't know my jpoucher name. haha. Just tell him I'm the one that eloped and had my 1st step surgery 2 days after we got back from honeymooning in Hawaii, I have a therapy dog I used to take to Banner Good Sam., and I was always on my laptop... He'll know who I am.

Yes - he does look very young. I think he is about your age. He really really knows his stuff and knew how to do partial-laproscopic surgery so his youthfulness wasn't an issue. He's very compassionate and thorough ensuring everything is done correctly. And to top it off he's a great guy. Ok, I'm going overboard but I really cannot say enough great things about him.

I can sport a bikini showing off the great work he did. My scars are visable only if you are too close. And I like them - far better than how I looked with all that horrible prednisone when I was 45 lbs heavier. And most of all -- I feel great and feel "normal" again. Yeah. I thank the Lord all the time for working miracles through surgeon's hands.

Were they able to get all the cancer out? I hope so. You are so young. Good luck on your takedown and I'll say some prayers for your quick recovery.

P.S. While you are at Banner ask the nurses to request a therapy dog to visit you. They are so sweet and lovable. My dog really misses his job.

it would be really cool to meet up with some if you fellow J pouchers have a BBQ or something. LOL