Oops, I was going to say "well said, Richard" and add how lucky we all are that we have options, although "getting my healthy colon back" would really be the icing on the cake!
Lambiepie posted:Oops, I was going to say "well said, Richard" and add how lucky we all are that we have options, although "getting my healthy colon back" would really be the icing on the cake!
Thats not lost in translation to me.
Strange.
I'm sorry you hated it so much.
When I first got mine and I have explained it before I didn't like it either. On the other hand I didn't like my pouch. So I had to come to terms with the stoma and accept it as mine. And I did. Took me 30 days to do it. But I did it and I'm proud to have done it and come through on the healthy side. The pouch was going to put me 6 feet under if I didn't make up my mind and have it removed. For some people it simply doesn't work and it's good to hear positive stories when they do come along. As well as positive stories on the stoma side. I'm gonna have it the rest of my life.
I had better accept it or the rest of my life is gonna be miserable. And I've had enough misery.
I didn't mean to start anything.
I was reading a positive post on a j pouch and I liked that. It's that simple.
Hello Lambiepie!
Richard.
MYSTICOBRA.......
I emphasise, that just because you and others like you, have had to embrace a Stoma over a j pouch due to misery, complications and its eventual failure, that doesn't mean that such misery and complications will blight others who are currently part way through their J pouch journey or those considering such a procedure.
You're promoting the Stoma due to your own misery experienced with a J pouch; which is fine, if that's how you've come to terms and embraced your Stoma but you seem keen to thrust such an opinion onto others, which I believe is unfair, as such an opinion can convince a person not to proceed with J pouch surgery through fear of complications and misery that they may never experience.
"Just because you've experienced problems with a washing maching of a particular brand; that doesn't mean all products or washing machines of that brand will fail"
During my UC journey, flare ups, bowel removal, ileostomy, colostomy bag and many episodes of dehydration, admissions into various hospitals and finally J pouch surgery, I've met many a patient in similar circumstances, all of which, were embarrassd by and hated the use of a colostomy bag, myself including.
I view these message boards as opportunities to present and discuss matters pertaining to the various treatments and procedures that are available. I have no difficulty reading posts from folks who have had good results with conventional ileostomies, even though it was an option available (and even recommended by a well-recognized surgeon) to me and which I strongly did not want. Personally, I feel as good about my BCIR as Richard does about his ileostomy and am pleased that it worked out for him. It is so important for people visiting these boards to obtain feedback on all options available to them so that they can make an informed decision for themselves. No one should feel that they are “forced” into an option based on strong support of one poster.
Bill
Perfectly stated Bill. My perception is that there is a circular argument here, where no argument exists. Nobody is promoting one surgical option over another or saying that there is a high likelihood of failure. The actual point is that there are a number of good options, none of which is perfect. You just have to decide what is right for you at the time you choose. Things can change and you have to be ready to accept change if need be.
Certainly, a well functioning j-pouch is the easiest and closest to typical anatomy and physiology. This is why it is the gold standard. But, it is not approriate or possible for everyone. Choices should be made on a case by case basis.
That said, people come here looking for personal experiences and reassurances, not a sales pitch. I think they can get that here.
Jan 
Both well said. Bill and Jan.
No argument.
I wish mine would have worked! But I tried. I didn't want to be in the I wish I would have tried the j pouch group. Lol.
What I mean by that if I would have went straight to where I am I don't think I would feel the same way. Now having hindsight. I am happy. I tried.
Richard.
Mysticobra posted:I didn't want to be in the "I wish I would have tried the j pouch group." Lol.
What I mean by that, if I would have went straight to where I am I don't think I would feel the same way. Now having hindsight. I am happy. I tried.
Richard.
Exactly, that's the point I'm trying to make, without causing an argument, making a sales pitch or alienating anyone.
This forum is a fantastic tool at our disposal and finding it when I did made all the difference.
Although, I believe some members, who have chosen an alternative to the J pouch due to complications or failure seem to peddle their choice at the expense of the J pouch and just because they have experienced such difficulties and misery, doesn't mean it will happen to everyone
If I came off that way. I apologize.
I didn't mean to. I just ramble.
Richard.
Mysticobra posted:If I came off that way. I apologize.
I didn't mean to. I just ramble.
Richard.
Mysticobra.....
There's no need to apologise, I've certainly not been offended by your post and I don't believe anyone else has either.
Although some of my replies have quoted your post and my replies have been directed at you; I have attempted to generalise.
It's all good.
Richard.
Exactly!
I feel the same that I wanted to opt for the j-pouch, otherwise I'd always wonder if I "missed the boat" on the opportunity. Once the rectum is removed, you cannot have that option. One point, that is valid, is that j-pouch removal is a big surgery. So, it really isn't like trying it out on a lark. Of course, if we had a crystal ball we would not have to wonder.
Jan
You get it Jan. Thays exactly why I tried it. And no it was not on a lark. No birdies here. No regrets.
The other way was one and done. Thinking maybe the pouch would have been better than this. But it wasn't.
So I'm good.
Thats why I like to hear the successful ones when they do come along. Rare.... here anyway.
Richard.
I'm in a similar situation for different reasons, I was due for j pouch surgery to remove my rectum due to FAP in August having previously had a colectomy in 1994. However mother nature has decided that I shall have kidney stones likely due to years of dehydration due to missing large colon and rather frequent bowel movements. It's got me worrying about whether I'll struggle even more with dehydration once part of small bowel is used to make the pouch or go straight to perminent ileostomy or delay as long as possible despite the increasing cancer risks. It's a confusing world when whatever decision you take has massive pros and cons and carries risks. Good luck with operation when you decide to take it, I have friends with uc and they've never looked back after surgery.