change of jobs because of pouch/colitis??

You're very new post surgery. I've had my pouch for 22 years, I was 19 when I had my surgery. I'm an RN, and I work ICU/Trauma 12 hour shifts and have been a nurse for 19 years, and I'm ALWAYS on my feet, and sometimes have days where I don't get to drink enough, but my body has adjusted over all of this time.

Give yourself some time, you might find things get better as your body continues to adjust. It might be less than ideal right now, but you might see it gets easier over time. I'd say it takes a full year to really see things calm down after the last surgery, or at least that was how it was for me.

I was in a similar situation and completely understand what you are going through. I am also an RN and went back to work about a month post surgery. My shifts were also 12 hours and I had a really hard time being on my feet all the time. I was working in the NICU and had to get another nurse to cover my babies just so I could run to the bathroom. It was sooooo difficult and really difficult trying to hide what was really going on (I've never been very open about my disease). I also had a lot of complications, developed an abscess, etc. and eventually ended up quitting. And it was definitely the best decision for me at the time. However, things have gotten a lot better and I am starting a new nursing job on Monday.
My point being, I do believe that with time you will be able to get back to your career. Wishing you lots of luck!

Thanks for the advice! It is very depressing having to quit doing something that you love to do. In the mean time I decided to go back to school to get my bachelors. Luckily I have a very supportive husband who understands that my body has gone through so much so it will take time to get back to normal.

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Needless to say I was in SO much pain that I can't do hair anymore.

I am a little confused as to exactly where you were in pain and how this was different after surgery than before. I understand about the stress of not being able to go to the bathroom, but pain from being on your feet a lot should not be any more or less.......unless I am missing something here. Was it that you were not used to being on your feet due to inactivity for a period of time after surgery?

I think the issue may have been more about 6 hours without a break than the standing, although both are demanding. I guess I'd suggest that in some stressful environments the world really doesn't come to an end if you take a 10-minute break, particularly if the boss knows you simply must do it. In other environments there is less tolerance, but if the worst that happens is you must change jobs, that's no worse than assuming you must.

After my surgery I had lower back pain and I asked my surgeon about it. He said that after he removed my colon my other organs shifted to fill the space and might be putting pressure on my back. Not to mention having a full pouch and not being able to empty it combined with the fact that I have pouchitis and they haven't been able to get rid of it.

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Not to mention having a full pouch and not being able to empty it combined with the fact that I have pouchitis and they haven't been able to get rid of it.

I can understand this issue. The rest of your post really does not make any sense. Back pain is not caused by organs moving around after a colectomy. It is being caused by something else. You may have degenerative disc disease or a herniated disc. Perhaps that was a previously asymptomatic condition that was lit up by the surgery or some event after surgery. I am a personal injury attorney and I have been involved in cases involving hair stylists and most of them that worked 20 plus years in that profession had physical problems (usually shoulder issues) as a result of their profession.

Yeah, I've never heard that about organs "moving," either, they don't "move." But maybe you're just not fully healed yet, and the stress of standing put a lot of pressure on you, so early on. I had back pain after my surgeries, but it was because I started having bad posture, to try not to put pressure on my new formed scar (was all hunched over). Once I was in less pain, and able to correct that, it got better.

I guess I can honestly say that yes, organs can and do move...they discovered my right kidney sitting on my liver a few years back (it had become 'unanchored' according to my surgeon and migrated up there...and caused a huge fright and tons of pain) they reachored it during my next procedure so...strange things can happen...doctors can nick things in there, adhesions can stick your organs to others or to the lower back, a pouch can twist etc...so, unfortunately we are the experts here in 'strange things can happen'...that said, one of my hairdressers has a stool on wheels that moves up and down with a hydrolic crank...she spends most of her time sitting on it...we are all used to seeing her doing it and it doesn't shock us at all...no one even comments it...and those tiny little juice boxes with straws fit nicely into a discrete apron pocket so that you can take subtle sips as you go...As for the bathroom break...you need to prioritise that one..like making arrangements while your client is having their hair washed to zip in and let go in the loo...everything is doable within limits but you should not give up a career that you love because things went badly in the begining...you may be more comfortable in a smaller salon or setting up shop from home (if you have a house you may be able to set up a salon room in the basement and recieve your clients through appointment only)...it would give you the freedom to continue to do the job that you love without the stress of working for a huge company.
Sharon

That's very interesting to hear. Most of the time they don't move because they're not "free floating" in there, you know. Perhaps it had something to do with their technique?

I do know adhesions can make things all wonky. They've done a number on my ovaries, for sure.

Can you cut back on your hours maybe? Or schedule clients making sure you have some time in between to sit and drink, ect. I know that may be easier said than done. I realize in that profession you are nutty busy non stop. If you could just tailor it to suit you better. I love what Sharon said about her hairdresser and the wheeled stool. The guy that used to do my hair did that too. He rarely stood up while doing my hair! I hope you can find a solution and 6 months out is still pretty new. Your body will continue to adjust to it's new plumbing.

Re-back pain

You mentioned pouchitis- I feel that when my pouchitis is bad then so is my back pain- I have osteoarthritis of the spine and always blamed that alone but I have come to realise that the pouchitis makes a significant contribution to my pain. Perhaps it is the same for you?

I have been a hairstylist for 26 years and can totally relate to what you've experienced! I was able to work in between the 2 surgeries ( even with a picc line needed for fluids due to dehydration issues ) but it is VERY challenging to say the least. I am a partner in my salon and have worked with my co-workers and clients for many years, so I have a lot of kindness and support. However, all the support in the world can't change the reality that to make money you have to stand for hours at a time with little or no breaks for bathroom or nourishment, much less rest! In my salon the only bathroom is directly off of the waiting area where everyone can monitor your coming/goings and...uhmm...noises. Not to mention the bathroom is a pretty busy place in a salon full of women! A few months ago, I started an entry level job at a state agency and work it in conjuction with my salon hours, in an effort to work into a full-time job with better "working conditions".
This has been a demanding undertaking, but one that I hope will pay off in the long run. Kudos to you for going back to school, you're doing the right thing for your health!! It is definitely hard to leave behind the friendships you build with clients, and the work you love, but our health is SO much more important!

Best of luck!
Pam

Thank you Pam! It is hard to understand the world and life of a stylist if you aren't one. I did go back to work after my first and second surgery but complications with pancreatitis took me away from it. Unfortunately with being out so much I have lost a good number of clients but I understand where they are coming from. I think it is harder because I worked for a corporation who demand a lot of work in a short amount of time.

Fortunately I only have a year left in New York and then my husband and I are moving to Germany since he is stationed there. Hopefully I will be well enough to do hair there!

Well best of luck to you! It IS possible to do hair with a jpouch, you just have to pace yourself, and make sure the people you work with understand you have to have time marked out in your day to eat and drink, and that bathroom accessibility is a must! Remember that clients are a fickle bunch, it's all about them (as it's suppose to be, right? ), so don't take it too personally when they stray. Trust me, there's always new ones to take up the slack when you do good work! Hang in there, and good luck with your move to Germany!

Akk3769, where in Germany are you moving? My husband was stationed there as well for 4 years - we lived in Baumholder and then Heidelberg. And the best hairdressers I have ever had have all been spouses who did hair out of their houses!

I left my job that I had been at for years due to the fact that when I came back to work after both of my surgeries I came back to new management. They "rode" me hard until I finally out of frustration and too much stress and anxiety resigned. I am enjoying being home and getting well however I wish I would have been emotionally stronger to fight back and stand my ground. I felt like they took advantage of me knowing how emotionally weak I was. But I am now looking for a job where I will be appreciated for my hard work and dedication.

AKK3769, I was wondering, especially since you are a military spouse, whether you know how to use a straight razor to clean shave a man's head? I usually do it myself, but I have found the only hair stylists who will do it for me are the 80 year old barbers who have been cutting hair for 60 years. The Unisex salons have refused to do it citing State health regulations. Before I shaved my head I would go for regular haircuts (short) at a Unisex salon and then when I decided I would adopt the shaved look they refused to cut it with a straight razor.

I wonder if the military hair stylist gets an exemption? You probably have a lot of dudes walking around on military bases in Germany with a haircut just like mine. Clean shaved head with no stubble. It is a hair cut, and it does require some skill to use a straight razor and not cut your head open.

We will be stationed in Vilseck at Rose Barracks. I've been told that it is the best base in Germany but we shall see haha.

CTBarrister I do not know how to use a straight razor because I went to school in New York and it is illegal for a stylist to use a straight razor. You need to have a special barbers license to do that. I would love to learn since a lot of the barbers are getting old and their hands shake!

AKK

For years I went to an Italian barber who used a straight razor. He used to twirl it like a baton, I always wondered whether he did that due to his enthusiasm or as a show for customers. Anyway he never cut me, ever. Years later when the hair stylist refused to touch me with the straight razor I went back to him and by this time he was about 80 but still had it and still could use the straight razor.

It is critical to be able to use a straight razor if you are cutting a man's hair whether it is a regular haircut or a clean shave. For regular hair they use the straight razor to do the trim. For someone like me it is the whole head and when it is shaved it is smoother to the touch than a peach.

I was just thinking it could be $$$$$ for you in Germany because a lot of the military guys wear their hair short or totally shaved like me, and a straight razor skill would come in handy. These are the guys who could be your customers, not just their wives and girlfriends. The laws on straight razor use may be different in Germany. Europe generally tends to be way less regulated than the USA and less concerned about liability issues. Good luck over there.