Hello,

Only you can make this decision. Persuasive tactics aside (as you are the only one with something at stake here), you should look at some possibilities for yourself and then weigh the cost/benefit of each.

PROBLEM --
NO Surgery

Cons:
- Chances are your UC (If it is persistent) will never go into (permanent) remission w/o harmful drugs to aid it. Moreover, with these drugs you will most likely only see small intervals of relief.
- Your chances of getting cancer (from which you can die) only increase with time.
- Your chances of getting toxin mega-colon (from which you can die) increase.
- Your quality of life will remain at whatever level your UC allows.
- You potentially miss out on a successful operation.


Pros:
- You keep your colon.
- You avoid the surgical and recovery process.
- You potentially avoid complications from the operation.

Surgery

Cons:
- You lose your colon, which, I must contend is not the cause of your problem, but the poor unfortunate victim of your immune system.
- You potentially suffer complications from surgery which would most likely be temporary.
- You would face months of recovery ending in normalcy.

Pros:
- You lose your colon. Again, while not the cause of your problem, getting rid of it would amount to a solution.
- You would be free from harmful medications.
- You will potentially become active to a level not seen since before your UC days.

I neither claim these lists to be exhaustive or complete, however, they do give you things to think about. I cannot tell you what to do, nor do I think anyone else here should. I do not know what is best for you, only you can make that determination. But, from how it sounds to me, you don't like your life with UC, which would prompt one to fix the values of the above in favor of surgery. Just make sure, whatever you do, you jump in with both feet.

The 4 weeks w/o my colon have made me feel completely normal again. Every day that passes I notice my bag less and less. I love my decision, but I love it as my own.

Surgery isn't for everyone, but it was for me. Don't make your decision based on anybody else's testimonials or their insistence that you are "doing the right thing." Search yourself long and hard. Meditate upon it. Hopefully you'll figure out what is best for yourself.

Zap

Hi Zap,
Thanks for the great post! It sure helps me make the surgery decision easier when it is spelled out like you did.
Does anybody know if Shawanna had the surgery? I am betting she has and hope everything turned out great!
thinking good thoughts
David

I was so excited to go through with my surgery after battling UC for 9 years. I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. I must say it was the best thing I've ever done! It gave me my life back. I have been fortunate to never have any problems with my pouch. I thank my lucky stars every day for Dr. Kanthan in Saskatoon, and the miracle he performed.
You will know when you are truly ready for surgery. If I had to have had surgery for this when I was 18 I wouldn't have been ready for it. At the age of 25 I was more than ready to have a life again. The best of luck to you in whatever you decide. My thoughts and prayers go out to you. Sincerely, Tanya

Holly;
First.... Hi! I hope that Chris is improving each day. I did a little research on the site...Shawanna's surgery was at Cleveland Clinic with Dr Fazio! Sooo...while pacing the floor there, you just might bump into her. Send her our hugs and thoughts should you see her!
Michele

Shawanna, GOOD LUCK! Please let us know how it went - we're all rooting for you!