I was just wondering if anyone here is from northern Illinois... It would be really nice to talk with or meet others who have had a J-pouch. I've never meet anyone with a j-pouch (and I'm a nurse!) and would love to talk with someone who understands. I'm a 25 y/o female and I had my surgeries in May and June of 2007. Thanks!!!

I am in Chicago if that's an easy enough transport? I am 26 y/o female w/ my j-puch surgeries last year after 14 yrs of UC.

Hello - I am in North Aurora (50 miles west of Chicago). Would love to talk with you.
I am a female / 48 and had my j pouch surgery in 2000 after 20 something years of UC.
Mary

Hi, you are really close to me. I'm in Crystal Lake. I don't know anybody with a j-pouch either. I'm a bit older than you, 42 a couple of days ago. But would love to talk to someone who has gone thru the same thing.

I just signed up on this board; I'm having surgery in Nov., and I live in Geneva (and work in Chicago), so I'm pretty near all of you! I'd love to talk to people who have gone through this!

i'm in chicago. 27 female.
had my kpouch surgery last year (almost to the day right now actually)
though i don't have a jpouch, i can relate to lots of things. and actually, much much more sometimes.

anywho, i'm a kpoucher after being diagnosed with FAP and stage III rectal cancer. fun.

so lets get this thing moving.

I am in chicago most the time, but spend good amounts of time in downers grove (boyfriends family lives there) Bloomington IL (boyfriend at school at Illinois Weslyan) and Champaign IL (just lots of friends down there)

so pick your poison.

(and, What up Rima. How are tings? See the Sac anytime lately?)

By Sac I assume you mean Dr. Sac? I saw a post of Rima's earlier, and saw that she had Dr. Sac too. He's doing my surgery in Nov., and he seems great! I'm 43 with UC inactive, but with dysplasia, so surgery is a must. I must say that talking to Cher and Mary has made me feel a lot better about this. I'd love any more feedback or experiences that anyone has to offer!
Terri

Was curious who/where your doc's/surgeons are and how your surgery went--2 step/3 step? I am in NW Indiana and go to the University of Chicago.

Yea, I didn't have my surgery with Dr. Sac, but he's who I am going to for my post-op care (i had my surgery with Dr. Fazio in Cleveland Clinic since Dr. Sac doesn't do Kpouch and that's what I wanted)
I began seeing him immediately after being diagnosed Stage III and I really love him as a doc.
He's got an awesome bedside manner that really made me and my family feel very at ease.

I'm having 2-step surgery in Nov. with Dr. Sacriledes at Rush. The first step in late Nov. and the 2nd step hopefully within 3 months afterward. I looked at U of C, but they're not in my insurance plan. Dr. Sac is great and I've only heard good things about him!

I am in New Lenox (East of Joliet). 33 yr old female who will be having my first of 2 surgeries at Rush the 2nd of November. Dr. Sac is my surgeon as well. Would love to talk to anyone who understands. My friends & family have been wonderful, but sometimes just don't get it.

Hello.. I'm Brian, 33, Chicago, UC and Jpouch (reversal done Jan. 25th 2007 at Northwestern)

Hey Cynnycal...how are ya?

hey dollface,
how ya been?
Hows the sis?

sooooo, anywho, is there gonna be a northern illinois meetup?

Hey everyone,

I'm Drew. 38 year old male (just had b-day on 11/24) I live on the North side of Chicago (by Wrigley Field). I had a 2-step procedure done by Drs Leela Prasad and John Park. Both at Lutheran General. This was done on November 29th, 2006 (almost my 1 year anniversary). I then had the take down on March 22nd, 2007. Again by Prasad and Park at Lutheran General. Anyone looking for a surgeon, I would HIGHLY suggest these men and their team. They are nothing short of outstanding.

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

Hey guys!

I live in Addison...which is about a half hour or so from Chicago! I saw that some of you have had Dr. Sac, and he was my surgeon as well. He's such a great guy (a giant teddy bear). But I had my first step on September 24th of this year and I might be having my takedown in a week!! But the care I got at Rush was amazing. Even though I'm 21 years old, they still let me stay on the pediatrics floor which was great. But yeah I don't really know anyone in the area who has had any kind of a pouch; only people who have UC (but their's is still under control). Hope everyone is doing fabulous!

Marisa