Hi All,
I am getting more and more nervous as my surgery date to "redo" my pouch gets closer and closer. I am scheduled for surgery June 11, but must be out at CC on the 7th for pre-op tests. I guess I am more nervous than usual as my experience so far at CC has been nothing short of horrendous! The people I have been in contact with over the phone have been rude and demeaning. One of Fazio's secretaries actually told me that I should be going to Mayo Clinic because they are the best in the world! She obviously didn't know that I had my previous surgeries at Mayo and everyone now tells me to go to Fazio because HE is the best in the world!
I am so confused and nervous. I know there are no guarantees with any surgery, but for some reaseon I am especially worried about this one. If Fazio is unable to "redo" the j-pouch then he will attempt to create the k-pouch.
ANy words of wisdom would be much appreciated. Each day gets harder and harder as I prepare for my visit to CC.

Hopefully some CC and Fazio patients will respond with some words of wisdom. For my part, I just wanted to wish you the best.

Thats too bad you have to have a redo. I'm glad I had it done, but wouldn't want to go through it again. I did go to Mayo, I'm from the Twin Cities. I liked Mayo, but I don't know about them being the best in the world. When I was there over a weekend, they really seemed to have the "B" team of nurses on.

Hope everything goes well for you.

Fazio Patient reporting in here...
I'm sorry you've gotten such a bad impression already. When I was there I thought everyone was wonderful.
I joked with all the nurses and residents. And Fazio himself is as straight up as you can be. He will tell you like it is regardless of whether or not you want to hear it.
He's kinda an odd little Australian guy, But i found his accent endearing. And i tried my best to find his sense of humor...it takes awhile, but eventually he gets that i'm joking.
He has a fondness for patting me on the head and calling me "Kiddo" (even though I'll be 27 in two weeks...it's hard to think of me in that age group b/c i don't look a day over 16.)
But the man knows what he is doing, without a doubt.
Make sure that you voice all your concerns. and be patient with the staff there. try to keep in mind that they are very literally always swamped with patients. I don't think there's ever a 'light' day there. they're doing their best, but you'll do better if you have a forgiving attitude.
I tend to feel right at home there, so i walk around and sorta just tell people what i will and won't be doing (like the time i came back from waiting another hour (AFTER) my scheduled appt. time and just wandered the halls til i found someone and told them "i'm going to go intubate and get this all started now so i can be ready, you'll let them know i'm in this bathroom here?"

anywho, the nurses on the recovery floor, well, they vary greatly. I had my favorites of course. Not all of them have the most cheery outgoing social manners, but they all know what they're doing. And the ET nurses are lifesavers. (be lucky to get Brenda...she's like head of the head ET nurses, and simply awesome. grandmotherly type.) Chizu is really awesome too.
If you have any other questions, lemme know.
I know they're not all perfect, every major medical institution oculd probably benefit from improvement somewhere, but for what it's worth, CC is a really great place...that I view as saving my life.
so i'll always recommend em.

I just discovered this post.
It's natural to be nervous..even when you know what the outcome is going to be.
My experiences at CC were all good. Most of the nurses on the floor were terrific, maybe one I wasn't too fond of. The 2 ETs that attended to me were great!
You are in really good hands there...I hope this helps.

Thanks everyone! I guess I am nervous because I am leaving my home base of MAYO clinic and feel like I am traveling into the unknown! Thanks for your replies. Any bit of insight I can get is very helpful!

I'll be at cc june 26 for a few q's regarding my permanent illeostomy, I hope your not still in the hospital then. If you are I'll try to stop by and visit you if your up to it. Good luck on the up coming surgery...Don

Dr. Fazio was my surgeon, I think alot of him as many others here do to.

My husband is having his colon removed at CC on June 11th with Dr. Stocchi. He is having presurgery tests etc. on June 8th. We have been extremely pleased with the treatment we have had at the Cleveland Clinic but my husband hasn't had any surgery yet so hopefully it will be uneventful. Good luck

I'll be at CC on June 7th for a second opinion with Dr. Vogel. I'm really hoping they can give me some direction. Since my takedown two years ago I've had ongoing rectal pain and my docs at Johns Hopkins couldn't care less about my situation. I'm fed up with dealing with them and truly hope to find some relief at CC.

I know what you mean about jumping into the unknown. I'm nervous too but hoping for the best.

Erin

Hello SeedTchr,

Why are you having a redo on your pouch? My daughter may have to have a redo, it seems that when they creataed the pouch the surgeon cut a hole causing a fistula. If it can't be fixed from the rectum, they are going to have to open her up again, repair the hole and then do the pouch thing again. I don't think they'll know until they do an EUA (evaluation under anesthesia). she had her colon removed in Feb. and hasn't had takdown yet, and obviously can't until they fix this manmade fistula.

When my pouch failed after 15 yrs, My doctor in La Jolla, CA Dr. Launer at Scripps did not even approach a "redo" discussion. It was a Kock pouch or nothing. I ASSumed it wasn't possible to make a pouch empty that just didn't want to anymore. I look forward to seeing how it goes.

My kock pouch is easy maintenance and I don't have to worry about the horrible noise in public restrooms. Butt burn gone forever too. GOOD luck. Being an RN on a medsurg floor it amazes me the nasty nurses that are allowed to keep practicing. Many of them lost their ability to put themselves in your position. Myself being a patient made to wait half an hour for pain meds cured me of ever doing it to anybody else. A simple smile from your caregiver can make or break your day.