Hello everyone,

I hope many of you have gotten to somewhat know me over the last few months because I sure have enjoyed everyone's company thus far. I am having my takedown on Wednesday, July 15th and will be bombarding you with questions/tips/and of course SUPPORT!

The main thing I am wondering right now is the progression of recovery aftre step 2 so I can somewhat plan my life and I will lay it out for you.

I have taken a year off from college due to this illness/surgery and have been SO BORED at home. I try to keep myself entertained and I've doen a good job so far but now I am getting greedier with life since I am starting to feel better and want to get back to normal.

I would like to move out of my family's house ASAP after my second surgery and back to college where I am planning on obtaining a reserach position at a hospital until the fall semseter begins. I was wondering when exactly would something like this be feasible. It would include a relative move (not too difficult for a college kid, just a plane trip and some luggage). Also it would entail a daily full time job and a routine (which I think is beneficial). Mentally, I would also not be going insane as I would finally have my friends again.

I know I will have butt burn, dietary restrictions, weight restrictions, high frequency of BM's but when does one start to do "normal" things such as movie theater, eating out, and going back to work?

Like 8 BM's a day? moderate butt burn? only raw vegetables are restricted? still in the dont lift anything higher than ten lb phase?

Things like that are indicators that I am looking for to know that I am ready, physically. And of course, when do you get the "clear" that you will not have complications or additional treatments required because I would have to start something again and have to leave it due to illness.

UC was so debilitating for me, not just physically but even more mentally cause I was just sitting at home rotting away. Well now i'm not rotting away but rather blooming like a new rose but still stuck at home! It'd be cool to knwo what people's recovery was like.

on a side note, I heard the other day that a women's basketball coach had given birth to her child and went to coach a basketball game 4 hours later...i'm not expecting anything like that now! haha

If everything goes smoothly, I'd think 6 weeks (to be on the conservative side) after takedown you should be up to just about anything.

Well, first I must preface this with the dreaded answer "everyone is different". My surgery was in three steps, but compared to the three surgeries prior to it (colectomy, pouch creation and an obstruction), takedown was a breeze. I was walking the floor of the hospital the same night of surgery. Discharged in 3 days. It will be three weeks ago tomorrow, and while I am back at work and the gym, I tire easily and have a lot of sleepless nights. Ironically enough, the sleeplessness really has nothing to do with my new "plumbing" -- I haven't had a single leak at all, and I've found a routine that minimizes getting up at night -- I had the same thing after my step 2 surgery. I guess it's just part of my recovery. Finding out what works and doesn't work as far as eating goes is a bit frustrating at times, but not nearly as bad as I expected. Just take it gradually and don't push yourself too hard.

Hello!! I had my TD 06/05/07. I would say I have three good days to every one bad day. I use the bathroom between 8 and 11 times, usually racking up most of the times in the morning from 5-10am, who know's why? I'm a nurse, so my job can be somewhat heavy-duty, but I'm finally able to go back to work in two weeks. I tire out really easy, but things are slowly getting better every day. The hardest part is figuring out what to eat!! Just don't push your self too hard, your body is going through some major changes.... have patience (so much easier said than done however...) Sounds like the life you want to go back to is pretty high paced and demanding. You'll get there, just make sure to rest along the way!
Cheryl
UC dx: 2004
Step 1: 5/7/07
Step 2: 6/5/07