I'm chiming in a bit late, but I am another Illinois j-poucher. I am a 38 year old female, and I just passed my two year pouch-iversary on December 5th.

I had my surgeries done at the University of Chicago (Dr. Hurst) and have been doing pretty well since then. I am going back for a follow up later this month for the first time since January 2006!

-Nicole

Congrats, I just made my 1 year anniversary. I also had my surgeries done at the University of Chicago. Dr. Fichera did all mine and Dr. Hurst assisted on the 2nd step. I am also doing well. I don't have to go back until 2011 for the next probe...HAHA. Good Luck

Jim

Hi-I almost got a j-pouch after stage 1 but wasn't in the cards. Can I still play with you all?

35 and I live in Chicago. Dr. Hurst is my surgeon and Dr. Rubin my GI over at UofC.


Erica

Erica, we share both docs! Dr. Rubin and Dr. Hurst... my heroes. :-)

-Nicole

There's going to be a get together with GIRF (Gastro Interalogist Research Foundation) in April at a local pub in April if anyone is interested. A lot of the people either have UC/Crohn's, some have j-pouches, so ostomies, some never had an operation. It's a lot of fun although at the last event in October I had a little too much to drink. I remember talking to David (Rubin) at the event but I am truly embarassed to say I don't remember what I said. I'll post when I find out the date, the location, and the cost (it should be too much-it's just to cover drinks and I plan to behave at this event).

Nicole, are you seing David on the 30th too? He is doing an educational thingy on the 5th of February (also GIRF related)ask him about it if you are interested.

Erica

Sounds interesting; I'll keep my eyes open for the details!

There sure are a lot of us in the Chicago area; it would be great to do a get-together to actually meet sometime. I live out in the suburbs, but work downtown and one of my best friends lives a couple of blocks from Wrigley Field, and I'm down there all of the time too!

I would be happy to host a meet maybe in the spring - when the snow is all gone!
We are in North Aurora - about 50 miles west of Chicago.
I had a one step at University of Chicago in May of 2000 with Dr. Hurst.
Let me know if anyone is interested??
For anyone near a train staion - we could pick you up in Geneva or Aurora - if you didn't feel like driving.
There is a Hampton Inn in North Aurora...........
Stay warm everyone - sounds like more snow on the way tomorrow!
New email...lvdsny@yahoo.com
Mary
1

I think that would be fun... great idea!

Bump

I'm also from the Chicago suburbs, near O'Hare. I've had some stuff done at UIC and at UofC. Both have great doc's. My guy is Abcarian at UIC and Gottleib, but I have seen Fichera. I'd love to hear about the get together in April!!!

Joyce

OK the date is set April 24th from 6-9 pm we are still working on a location it's between two locations. We are trying to keep the cost down so whoever gives us the deal (trying to keep it around $25).

I should know more by next week.

Erica

Count me in !!

Joyce

I wish it was on a weekend. :-(

Between my commute and my child, weekdays are not possible for me. But I will be there in spirit!

-Nicole

I will hopefully be recovering from my take-down surgery that week. We are setting it up for April 14th. If for some reason it gets postponed, I'd wanna go, but keeping my fingers crossed that I can't.

Sorry

I am new at this stuff... but finding a need to talk to people who know what I have been through. I was diagnosed with UC in 1989 and had my j-pouch surgery within 2 months of my diagnosis. From what I am told, I was one of the youngest in the area to have it. I was at Lutheran General and Dr. Prasad was my surgeon. I then lived a healthy life with absolutely no meds or issues until 2001 and was diagnosed with Crohns! I now go to University of Chicago and see Dr. Cohen, who has kept me healthy ever since (with the help of meds too)! I would love to talk to more people in the area and it is good to see a group out there like this!

Lauren,

I see you live in St. Charles. I grew up in St. Charles, and now live in Geneva! I just had my takedown on Feb. 5, and am doing pretty well thus far. If you want to talk or meet, I'd be glad to! I'll PM you with my email address.

Terri