Hello Everybody!

This is my first time joining a group or support sight for people who deal with ileostomies and J-pouches. So i'm very excited!

My name is Nicole Collet, i'm 22 years old and from a small town in British Columbia, Canada. I'm in my 4th year of getting my Business degree at university.

On 14/01/07 I had a total colectomy from megatoxic colon from Ucerlative colotis. Lost 25 pounds....weighed as low as 100 pds...ahh. I now have a temporary ileostomy which I try to stay pretty positive about....i was sooo sick right before my surgery so i was just thankful to be out of pain and able to eat. I have now gained most of my weight back and feel great health wise (playing soccer really helped).

I have my J-pouch procedure scheduled for August 2nd, 2007, and I am both nervous and excited for this operation! My surgeon said it will be about 3-6 months after the sugery when they will remove my bag -I think you guys call it takedown. I had to take last semester off school and work, but i'm hoping i'll be good to go for this Falls semster at school.

So all advice, questions, and support is so welcomed and i'm excited to start chatting with you all!


-Nicole

Hi Nicole Collet,
Let me be the first to welcome you to our wonderful family! You`ll see that as time goes on and you begin to deal with everything that is associated with ileostomies and J-pouches you`ll thank God that you found this site.There are tons of compassionate and freindly people here with informed and sound advice.I don`t think that there is anything that we won`t be able to help you with,especially with our beloved go to person whose name is Jan Dollar.There isn`t anything you could ask Jan about that she won`t be able to give you an answer to,anything!I sincerely hope that you won`t have too many issues to talk about but if you do you`ve come to the right place So again welcome and feel free to ask anything you want to,don`t be afraid of anything, we have all experienced at one point in our journeys some issue you will want to know about.God speed Nicole Collet.

Hey Nicole I know what it's like I'm also 22 now but just turned 21 when I had to have my colon taking out. Done with all my operations now missed three semesters due to some complications, but feeling good now. I know it was hard for me having all these surgeries and leaving college. If you have any questions feel free to ask.

Hi Nicole
Welcome to the board! I haven't actually had my surgery yet (not til august), but this is the best resource ever! You'll find lots of nice people and great advice. I am also from 'small town BC'. Lol. And i'm 24.

Hi Nicole, great to see you are staying positive. You will get through it, and this site helped me in so many ways. The people here are the most wonderful, caring people. I couldnt have gone through the same thing (total colectomy)without the friendship, compassion, education, and undying support you will get on this website!! I am one year post take down and living with no pain......it is wonderful. Take care and ask us anything.....Gina

Thanks everyone for the wonderful welcome !! I still have a bunch to go through so i'm very excited that i've found such a wonderful place to share thoughts and ask questions. I have been looking at a lot of the discussions in the forums...and there is soo much good info out there...YAY!

-Nicole

Hi Nicole,
Glad you found this wonderful site with all it's wonderful people. I have found it to be be a great source of information and comfort, hope you find the same
Sassy

Hi. I'm new to this site as well. I have read so much helpful advice and info. here already-thank you. i feel like i have found a place where i can talk "poop" freely and others will know what I'm saying...lol.
YAH !!! Take care everyone...

Welcome to the family Nicole Collet.

As the others have said you couldn't have found a better site with some lovely caring people and great information and advice.

Good luck with your up-coming surgery. If you have any questions or are just in need of some moral support then just yell, that's what we are all here for.

Take care and keep us posted.

Shell

Hi and welcome, I am from BC too. Grew up small town but live in Victoria! Where did you have your surgery?

Hi Nicole and welcome.... you are scheduled for your j-pouch the same day my son is scheduled to have his old one removed and have a new one made. I wish you the best of luck with your surgery.
Melinda

It will be wonderful once you get used to it. I had bad gas for a while, but it goes away. Eat small meals and mild too. Soft foods are good too. Good luck.

Hey Nicole,
I'm 23 and I live in North Vancouver. Your story sounds a lot like mine. I had my surgery on March 8 of this year at St. Paul's hospital. This site is the best resource you could hope for. Everyone on here is terrific. Good for you for taking classes in the fall. I go to BCIT and I'm not sure yet if I'm going to enroll for the fall; the bag sucks, but hopefully it's just a temporary thing right. Still, it TOTALLY beats staying (living) in the hospital.. I play lots of sports too, and I can't wait to get back at it after reconnection. Keep your spirits up, and remember there's lots of people your age going through the same thing, so you're definitely not alone. Best of luck

Hi Nicole!
Welcome to the site . I almost emigrated to BC (Victoria) - beautiful place. My first trip (to emigrate) was traumatic - long story that I won't bore you with - but I came back a few years ago for my best friend's wedding and was able to see the incredible beauty of the place.
I had a 2-step j-pouch done, too. My step one was in August last year, TD was supposed to have been in October but got postponed to January due to complications. Getting surgery was the best decision I made, even though I had a rough time after step 1. Nothing to say you'll have the same issues, so keep your chin up and think that this time next year your life will be very different. So much better! They do say that people with UC are generally the most pleased with the pouch as they're the ones with the most problems before surgery (often waiting till they can't stand it any more after years of UC-misery). Ask any questions you want - even if it's been discussed before, it doesn't matter. And no question is too stupid to ask . You can do a word search on the boards, too, and you'll find lots of useful advice. Don't forget that those of us who are here are usually dealing with problems - major or minor - so remind yourself every now and then that there are stacks of j-pouchers out there who are just getting on with life. Not "everyone" has problems. Being here will no doubt help you identify hiccups along the way and help you cope with them, turning them from a big problem into a minor irritation.

Hi Nicole

Welcome aboard! This is a big year for you, from removal of the colon to Jpouch procedure to takedown, and of course your last year at University. Next year you'll have your degree and be back in perfect health

Johnny