I met with my surgeon today, I am 5 weeks post step 1. We tentatively set a date for the take down, 9/23. And I'm finding myself full of emotion, just not the happy, excited ones everyone else seems to have about Takedown. Mind you I have FAP, so I was relatively healthy before all this started. Before step 1 I worked very hard to mentally prepare myself for it, for having an ostomy. I knew there was always a chance I would have to go back to an ostomy (if jpouch started growing polyps). But I am not ready for the j pouch.
How long after surgery till I have the average (average for a j poucher) bowel movements? How bad is the urgency? My brother bought football tickets (UofM/MSU, if anyone cares) for us, the game is one month after TD. I'm guessing I won't be able to go now, I feel bad its kind been our tradition.
Thanks for "listening".
*edited to add: I just wrote an update on my blog about my emotions on this. I think I did a better job on there explaining why I am not as excited about this. See link below.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: *Steph*,

You know that you don't have to have takedown next month, right? If you're not ready you can put it off for quite a while (unless FAPer's are different - different in a good way, of course). If you feel like you need to go ahead with takedown, you can always cancel up to the very last moment. That may give you a little more control over what hasn't been under your control for a while.

On top of having FAP, you had a very nicely behaving colon just over a month ago. You got it with more than one whammy and it probably seems like the take-down whammy is just too much. On the plus side - FAPer's seem to do very well with their j-pouches and we all expect yours to step right in line.

I wish I could give you a better pep/fap talk but since I'm not one of you, I don't have a whole lot of information.

I read your blog entry and I wonder if coming back home after chocolate fondue for dinner, lounging in a boat on a lake, going out for fine dining is making you a little under the 'I embrace all of this surgery' weather? Relaxing is way more fun then real life.

I'm sure you'll end up making the best decision for you.

kathy

Ditto what Kathy says. Keep your surgery date, but reschedule if you find you are getting serious cold feet as you approach it. You don't want to reschedule too soon and wind up kicking yourself because you decided you actually were ready!

On the flip side, if you do go through with surgery, there is really no reason you can't go to the football game (unless they don't have bathrooms at that stadium!) You'll probably want to take a lot of bowel slowers before you go and watch what you eat while there, but you probably would be OK. But there really is no way of knowing how quickly you will adapt. You should be relieved to know that FAP folks seldom get pouchitis.

Jan

Steph,

Is this the Steph from the Yahoo Group? My handle there is charles99_9

Anywho........Hang in there. You'll be fine. I had the blues a bit too before my takedown.......totally normal.

And regarding the football game, it's better on HD TV anyways!

Just wanted to let you know that takedown doesn't always mean being chained to a bathroom. I had my takedown 8/8/08. I went to a San Francisco Giants Baseball game with some friends this past Sunday. We met for brunch before the game, and then enjoyed a great game
(they actually won), and then my husband and I went to dinner afterwards. I had no problems whatsoever.

I actually posted a question about attending a concert a month after takedown right before I went through mine. I fully plan to still go, and I know it'll be fine.

We also have season tickets for the Niners, and I will for sure be there on opening day!

I know that everyone's results and recovery are different, but I just wanted to share my GOOD experience. I would still follow everyone's advice, and reschedule if you are still having doubts. Just keep in mind, for whenever you decide to have your takedown, that it can be good! Hopefully yours will be terrific.

Hi Steph,

I am in a similar surgery situation as you. I had my 2nd of 3 surgeries in early July and I am scheduled for my takedown early Sept (about 10 weeks recovery). My surgeon was initially wanting to do it 3 months after the 2nd surgery but we decided on doing it as soon as possible.

From most of my reading and talking with others, many get the takedown around the 10 week period. Others delay for many of the reasons that Kathy suggested.

If you are having trepidation, there is no significant medical risks to delaying the takedown (as long and you are not becoming severely dehydrated and having problems with your electrolytes). In fact, giving your body and mind extra time to prepare for the next surgery may be better for you.

I agree with Jan to keep the surgery date for now and to postpone it if you are not feeling ready.

One thing that seems clear is that the post-op course following the takedown is quite variable I am keeping post-op schedule pretty open but am keeping my fingers crossed that you make your game.

Best of luck to you in your upcoming surgery.
AM77

quote:

On the flip side, if you do go through with surgery, there is really no reason you can't go to the football game (unless they don't have bathrooms at that stadium!)

Jan, that's because you've never been in a men's room at a sporting event venue, lol. Especially one with 100,000 people, most of whom have been drinking all afternoon! And the stalls are usually the most disgusting aspect of the men's room. Trust me, you want to spend as little time as necessary in there.

As a matter of fact, one of the few (if not only) advantages to me when I had my ostomy was that I didn't have to worry about how disgusting bathrooms were at sporting events or concerts. I could just stand there, unclip the end of the bag, and empty its contents. Much, much, better than the alternative.

As a fellow FAP person, I know it sucks to go from a perfectly (besides the polyps of course) good colon and bowel movement schedule to a bag and then to a jpouch. Takedown is not easy. But I think it was much easier than the first step. It takes an adjustment period of course.

I think that if you had your surgery a month before the game, you could go - IF - you felt ready at the time. It really depends per person, I think. Some people have good luck with takedown, some don't. If you have a good takedown, you will probably feel fine going to the game. It's up to you, if you don't feel up to it then don't go.

BTW, I'm pretty sure that it is quite rare for the small intestine to grow many, if any, polyps. Even less often do those become cancerous - I wouldn't worry about it.

I would suggest you go through with the surgery, but of course that's just me. Whatever decision you make, good luck! And of course, don't forget to tell us how it goes!