as the days are getting closer, the anxiety level is getting higher. again, my reason for this is dysplasia throughout entire colon. i have no UC symptoms at the present time, and its never been really bad.

I'm with you almost to the last detail (dysplasia and anxiety!)--my surgery is April 9. My last scope (6 months before the most recent one) had a lot of inflammation and no dysplasia (or any dysplasia that was there was obscured by inflammation), so I'm extra-freaked that it seems so fast-growing. The surgery can't come soon enough for me! How frequently have you been scoped?

Let's keep our toes crossed for each other.

was getting scoped every 3 years. my scope in july, my doctor told me they did find a few biopsies with low grade dysplasia,actually didnt really know what that was, i trusted my doctor, but did not seem very concerned and said i should get a colonoscopy every year now. well in january, i took all my records to see Dr. Lashner at the Cleveland Clinic,he a gastro, and said i should be very concerned about the findings and he wanted to do a chromoendoscopy himself in a few weeks. he did it and biopsied and came back low grade dysplasia throughout my entire colon. surgery was scheduled with Dr. Kalady on April 4th. i think to myself, what if i didnt take it upon myself to go get another opinion on my colitis? i would not have went back for another year and then what? cancer maybe? well it sucks but i'm glad they found it now and i'm getting it taken care of. i am lucky as to the Cleveland Clinic is like a 20 minute drive for me. keep in touch.

Hi,
Good luck to both of you and try not to be too nervous....sounds good coming out of my mouth when I cry every other second. My surgery is scheduled for March 24th and I am riding a rollercoaster of emotions. Today I'm fine and pretty calm....tomorrow who knows?

I am having this done in three steps. Step one was an emergency colectomy and now I'm feeling so good, I can't wrap my arms around feeling bad again. I trust my surgeon and had excellent care the first time but still the nerves are raw.

Will be thinking about you both in the next few weeks. Keep your chin up and breath deeply. Best of health,
Les

Thanks, Les--I'll be thinking of you, too.

Hi,

Its been a year since I had my colon removed, then in October I had the j-pouch constructed and on Jan 31st I had my take down.
I too worried if I was making the right choice and for the first month after my colectomy I was still freaking out but that was short lived. I got my life back and I can't begin to express how happy I am. Not to say this is an easy process but either was living with the roller coaster of UC
Anyway my life after j-pouching is great, not perfect but a million times better than the hell of UC,

Good luck and the best of health.

Donagh

I was in the same boat. I had UC for over 20 years, but was in remission for the last several years. A routine colonoscopy showed low grade dysplasia. Both surgeons I saw said that I needed to have the colectomy as soon as possible as the low grade dysplasia could turn to high grade dysplasia and possibly cancer at any time, and in any event, the colonscopy biopsies were only of a tiny portion of the colon.

I had Step 1 of 3 in early November. Other than post-operative infections/abcesses, everything went well. At this point, I feel very well. it is true what they say, you feel better each week.

My Step 2 (J-Pouch formation) is this Tuesday, March 18th. I am very anxious about it, but it is more because of the surgical process more than anything else. I have high hopes for the benefits of the J-Pouch.

The bottom line is that it is totally understandahble that you are anxious about your surgery. With your dysplasia, however, you have little choice. The surgery is going to save your life.

Good luck, thoughts, prayers and healing vibes are with you on Tuesday Optimistic!!

Im praying for you and that your surgery is succesful which i know it will be...I am in the same boat as Les, I had an emergency colectomy and am going in for the first part of my j pouch surgery on the 25th of this month. I wish you the best of luck...keep your spirits up!