Continuing with a procedure when things don’t turn out the way they were *supposed* to is a very personal and individualized decision. I was able make adaptations to my lifestyle to accommodate bathroom use and BB pain. During those 30 years, I held a full-time job, enjoyed alpine skiing in the Rockies and Sierras, entered equestrian competitions with my horse, traveled internationally and was active in the romance scene. While others have found satisfaction and improved their quality of life with an ileostomy (and I am happy for them and the decision they made), this is not the choice I would make unless it was the only procedure that would save my life.
