Ive been working at an office since my takedown surgery 7 months ago. When my butt hurts it an awesome job because I can sit down.
But for the most part it is the most boring job I have ever had in my life. I would love to get another job that is fun and does not involve sitting around all day, but im not sure how I would handle it on the bad days, where at in a moments notice you gotta go.
Does anyone here do any kind of work that doesnt involve desk work?? Any ideas of what kind of job would be a J-pouch friendly one?? I dont go to the washroom that often maybe 2/3 times during an 8 hr shift on a good day. I thought about working at a house cleaning place...but thought that using random peoples washroom might be a tad inapropriate.

I am only back to work the last three weeks and am post TD 11 weeks. I really haven't had many issues. I am a Handyman jack-of-all trades business owner so I am in many different houses each week. I have watched not eating much before I leave and eating a lite lunch, but I have had to use the bathroom. Most of the time the homeowner isn't home. Most know about my surgery and understand me using their potty. I also notice that when I am up moving around I don't get the urge as often or seam more able to hold and not feeling comfortable using someone elses potty does cause me to hold longer which is good for the pouch.
Good luck and if you are doing something you enjoy it will make your healing go better!!!

I am 20+ years since my pouch was created, and have worked many different types of jobs that were not behind a desk.

I currently work as a CNA in a teaching hospital, which actually requires a lot of physical stamina. And doe not require that much sitting. I have learned that when I work (12 hr shift) that I go maybe 3 times in a shift, unless I eat something that I shouldn't have

The thing I think is to figure out what you are passionate about and try to find a job doing it. for me it is taking care of others.

Hi Ashley,

Hmmm...interesting post. I figure that you are absolutely not bound to a certain type of job because of being a jpoucher. First, what I hear in your post is that you are writing stories about what the future would be, and how much bathroom use you will need, and what the limitations are. I would recommend you not to project ahead in such a way, but rather look at the next phase of job development, or even better, career development as more of:

1) What type of work would you LOVE to do, and

2) What steps do you need to take make what you love possible (NO EXCUSES, the challenges are part of the journey).

3) Simply make it possible, I was always told to follow my dreams (even if they didn't make sense) because life always works itself out. And as cliche as that sounds, it is so true, when you do what you love, you tend to naturally excel at it, and people respond/reward you for this. And in turn you become healthier and more functional once you find your passion.

I've seen you on this site challenge the popular culture perception of UC by writing the newspaper about the athlete; you are clearly an advocate and a positive voice for IBD. Look at those moments in your life to identify areas that fuel you with passion and follow those as career options. I believe there are many career options out there for you that will sustain you as a woman, not a just a woman working some place because it is jpouch friendly.

Ashley

I agree with the advice to figure out what interests you and pursue that. It seems to me that a lot of the more interesting work allows for flexibilty of conditions and schedules which make it easier for people who may need to use the washroom a bit more often and bit more frequently then others.

I work as a biologist and since my return to work in August i have been spending my days flying in helicopters, jet boating, walking through rivers and generally being outside. Working in more 'natural' surroundings was great when i had UC cos behind every tree was a bathroom! With the J-pouch its been even better.

Life is too short to work at a job that doesnt interest you or that you are not passionate about!

Mike

P.S. I always dreaded the thought of a job where i would have to 'punch a clock' and be limited to washroom visits by preset break times. Terrifying with UC!

Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you that I am actually following my passion...

I work as a CNA now, and with Spring 2008 will finish my pre-requisites, and then will be going onto to achieve my final passion. I will be attending nursing school,for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing....

I currently work fulltime and actually go to college fulltime, so anything can be possible

Then my ultimate goal after I get a couple of years of experience, my husband and I plan for me to be a travel nurse and travel to Australia and who knows where else. And my husband will retire.

Life is going to be a fun experience

well, I have to say I envey you all. I have a job, which I love and am extremely good at,( well, I've been doing it 25 years or so). I'm about 1 year post takedown but still can't manage more than a four hour shift. Last month they asked me to train a new hire, 6 hr shift.Ended up dehydrated.....when your supervisor has to give you IV fluids after a shift, they tend to cut back your hours, the next shift they let me have three hours.They haven't called me since.I guess I'M retired....
LoriP

I have bad days too and know what you mean about being able to sit. I actually have two jobs right now; one where I sit at a desk all day and the other where I teach ballroom dance. I teach dance about 14 hours a week right now and hope to be able to do only that in about a year. Sometimes moving around helps me forget the pain I'm in. I just decided I was going to do what I love no matter what and it's worked out fine.
I went to college and got a degree in dance where I had to dance sometimes 8 hours a day. Sometimes I got sick and ended up in the hospital but I always bounced back.
Do what you love. Don't stay in a job you hate; I've been there and you feel like you die a little every day for it.

I spend most of my job in the chair. Or the couch. I'm a Network Administrator, so I can work anywhere I have a internet connection and my laptop pretty much. Having the option to work from home when I don't feel good has been a godsend.

Hey Ashley,

Perhaps you should do something entrepreneurial, as this way you'd be able to do something you enjoy, but also be on your own schedule. I write software systems (which I enjoy most of the time), but it's nice because I can set my own hours because I work for my own company (much like Big D mentioned above)... I'm still stuck in between steps 1 and 2 (of 3), but I'd imagine that I'd benefit from having the freedom to flex my hours according to how I'm feeling...

What kind of work do you do? I agree with Mike that if you don't like your job you should definitely find something that you find more interesting... Boring jobs are the worst, but I agree that it's better than a job that prohibits/limits using a washroom as needed..

It all just depends on what interests you... Is there a certain type of career that you find more appealing (marketing, fashion, law, etc)? Maybe gather some of the available positions endemic to each field, and target the ones that provide a lot of flexibility/freedom

Ashley, we have people on the site that teach, are police officers and other careers that don't necessarily involve sitting at a desk all day. I agree with the others that you should try to find something you like and look forward to doing. You may be surprised at how well your pouch will behave. Give it a try.

janna

My pouch didnt work out; however I have an end illeo and I am a State Trooper. Wear the gunbelt and out doing my job. I dreamed of this job (been on 16 yrs) and when I had Uc and everything else going on I was offered disability... Well 5 operations or so later and 2 yrs I am back doing what I love. You can do whatever you want and dont let the pouch, bag or anything hold you back! Good luck!
Set a goal, focus in on it and go get it!

Thanks everyone. Im actually trying to upgrade right now to get in to nursing, and the thought of doing that and moving around all day doesnt scare me. Maybe its because its something I want to do. Right now I hate my job but its safe, I think im scared to leave that comfort zone. I can go out all day and not worry too much about the washroom when Im out with friends. I think a part of it has to do with wondering how my next employer will react with the j-pouch. I dont think working somewhere like a clothes store would work well. there is no where to sit if you need to and no available washroom when working on your own.
I think I need to brainstorm for what I could do that would meet all my requirements.
Sorry Im starting to blabber on. Thanks for listening!

Hey Ash, I just wanted to let you know that there's a nurse at the hospital where I live that has a pouch. Some of her colleagues know about it (that's how I found out, one of my friend's moms works with her), but i guess she functions just fine. So if nursing is what you want, then go for it

In my experience a j-pouch doesn't limit you AT ALL - absolutely no difference than anyone else except pooping a few times a day more. Have confidence to try anything and don't worry - just deal with things if/when they come up - cause they may never come up.
My wife is an ICU nurse and one of the other ICU nurses she works with has a j-pouch. I think he's had it for 10 years with no problems except a couple episodes of pouchitis easily treated with antibiotics.