Since I feel everyday is a best day. One of the most interesting day's of my life was finding this site. Now at least once day for the last 7 yr's I check into the site to get my J-Pouch fix.

Wow, this is truly wonderful to read so many positive things in one thread!! I know this site is here to help people through their stuggles and to answer questions that is terrific but it's still awesome to read so many happy things!!

The best day of my life since having UC and my operations had to be the day I could actually pick my 2 1/2 year old up and carry him around again. It was a tough time for him with me being so sick from the day he was born until my final surgery in May 2006, it was great to finally be able to be a real mommy to him!

Michelle, great thread
I agree that all days without UC are great in their own way. I'm very happy with my pouch, no matter what hiccups I have. But nothing for me will beat the elation of waking up after Td being told the stoma I hated so much was GONE! Yeeeehaaaa! Even throwing up green bile and pooping acid that night, I was happy as Punch . I rejoiced in my skin being able to breathe again after months under an appliance, I loved sitting on the loo and pooing the old way, haha! I just felt a million dollars. I'll never forget it. I knew, coming home after TD, that 2007 would be the start of my new life. The cat could lie on my stomach again instead of climbing up my left side and curling up on my shoulder like a parrot, the kids could hug me full-on, my hubby saw me smile and heard me laugh again. Brilliant.

Colonfest, what a great idea, I think I will also have one when I am through!

Michelle, Thanks for sharing. I'm so glad you had such a good time at your party and that so many people shared your celebration with you.

Ditto on the feeling good posts.

I'll have to say, THANK YOU all jpouchers for contributing to this site. It's been a great help conversing with people going through the same trials and success stories.

Cher, Isn't it great 'beginning to feel "normal" again.' I've been my old workaholic self and realized today in the midst that I haven't even thought or had fears about working myself sick. WHat a relieve! I am exhausted (from work not sickness) but am so very exciting that I really feel good. THere were times I thought I'd never be able to say that again. At times, I felt "normal" life was over. Now, thank God, I've been given a second chance at life.

These are great! Keep them coming!

Finally...here's a couple of pics from the colonfest celebration.
Enjoy!

colonfest.jpg (37 KB, 57 downloads) Colonfest photos

And another one........

me___mom.jpg (21 KB, 47 downloads)

I love that poster! What a great party. Your mom looks like she musta birthed you when she was like 3 years old. Could that be?

kathy

GREAT photos!

Congratulations Michelle! Great Pictures!

Good day today, shopping at the outlets. She bought some really nice stuff for herself with HER OWN MONEY she earned from a super job she had this summer!

Congratualtions Michelle! What a great idea. I think I'll Have a celebration on my one yr anniversary. And great pics, it is so wonderful to have people care enough to share with you on this special day!

My TD was in May and I've had complication after complication. I am presently dealing with a fissure and cuffitis. But today instead of laying in the bed I forced myself out. My 2 younger sisters whom I love dearly took me shopping. My most favorite thing to do. Our mom kept our kids so we were kid free (celebration in itself). Yes, I had to stop and sit several times but I managed to have a great day. It totally took my mind off some of the pain and I got some awesome clothes, shoes, jewlery, etc. THIS IS THERAPY FOR ME! Nothing better than getting new stuff to make you feel better.

So, my husband and my 2 yr old make everyday special but today was especially NICE, I highly recommend it!
Jessica

My best day since UC was probably prom. It was the best night ever (minus my moms car accident, everything was amazing until then). I felt beautiful and my boyfriend did everything he could to make it feel special because he knew how much prom meant to me. I'm the kind of girl that wonders what kind of dress shes going to wear in the fifth grade. Every year built up to my prom night, I wanted it to be the first thing I remembered from highschool when I was 50. It was just so amazing. It was the first school dance I'd been to in 2 years that I wasn't in pain. I felt so great and had so much energy. But there was one moment that was really special. We had just eaten dinner, and I really had to go. I was getting nervous because I didn't know if there were any bathrooms. I went and checked it and there was A MILLION gils in there hanging out. I knew I couldn't use it. I asked the principal if there was a private bathroom I could use since I don't have a large intestine. She handed me off to one of the hall workers, and she took me out back to an employee bathroom. But before she gave me privacy, she said "I know what its like, I had colon cancer and I have a j-pouch too." My jaw just dropped! You'd never know when there was a fellow j-poucher right next to you unless you asked. It made me feel great to know I wasn't the only weirdo with missing bowels there. Me and my boyfriend had so much fun together, I was so excited that my stomach wasn't going to ruin the night. After, we drove around worcester together in my moms BMW instead of going to stupid parties. We went out to breakfast at 2am and thats when we came across my mom in the accident. It was horrible, but I'm so glad I was with kurt and not anybody else. He comforted me and talked to me about prom until we found out my mom was still alive. I'm glad he was with me, because he was able to keep calm when I was freaking out. I wanted to go to the ER to be with her, but I'm so glad he told me not to. The doctors had my grandparents say goodbye to her before surgery because they didn't think she'd make it. I don't think I could have handled that. Even though that happened, I had an amazing time and it brought me and Kurt so much closer.

Great pics! Congrats!

My most memorable day with my j-pouch? It has to be graduating from college in June. I made a career change that I probably would have never made had I not gone through my surgeries. Now, I am actually in surgery daily as a surgical technologist and have worked with my surgeon a couple of times. I have not seen a j-pouch op yet, but I hope to soon.

Good luck to you!

Becky

The best days I've had was surfing the warm water in Waikiki. Everything went wonderful with my parents 50th aniversary. Had a blast at Germaine's Luau with some fabulous performances and the food was awesome. The kalua pig taste a lot better this time than when I had it few years back.