Introduction:
Hi Everyone! It’s Isabel! I shared my story back in March 2012(Making Peace with Ulcerative Colitis) and I am just checking in with you with an update! If you haven’t read my story I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis in 2007 when I was 25 years old. After being on Prednisone for almost five years off and on and after getting one infusion of Remicade I decided to go forward with Surgery….
My Story with Colitis Surgery and What’s Next:
Rewind to March 19, 2012. A day that has changed my life for ever. I was a bit nervous but determined to do everything in my hands to have a better quality of life. The surgery that was supposed to last 3.5 hours lasted almost 7 hours. Yes! and this was only the beginning of several complications that came with my life changing decision. The team of surgeons found that my small intestine was 3 cm too short and that my pelvic area was very narrow. Needless to say that a Laparoscopic surgery was out the door and was stuck with a “C” section incision along with another one that ran up to my belly button. (4 Months later I found out through my surgeon that I would of been stuck with an Ostomy for life). Luckily they were able to stretch my small intestine to create my J-Pouch. Two days later I went back to the OR, unfortunately during the very complicated surgery my amazing Surgeon accidentally nicked my left Uterer. A stent(SP) was put i n and a catheter was installed. I was in the hospital for TWO weeks. Went home with a catheter and a Ileostomy. Feeling relieved to be home with my son gave me hope that all the pain and suffering was worth it. After my initial surgery I was hospitalized FOUR more times. For different reasons. Wound infections, renal failure, urinary tract infections etc. Thanks to our Wonderful Drug Prednisone and because I had taken it for so long, I had a hard time healing. For a month I had to carry a “wound Vac”, it’s an amazing therapy that facilitates healing. I never thought that the transition to the Ileostomy would be so easy .
Now, after two Pouch dialations and one anal resection (I believe this is what is called, is a procedure where they widened the end of my pouch taking some scar tissue out and stitching it so that it stays dilated) I am ready for my take down surgery on Monday September 10, 2012. To be honest all the pain, the tears and the endless nights have been WORTH IT! Yes! I had a hard time! Yes! There were times when I doubted myself! Yes! there were days when I wanted to die because the pain was soooooo bad! But never once did my husband left my side. He was always there. He has been my #1 cheerleader. I have found that I have amazing friends and a wonderful family. And for that I am thankful! I am here to tell you my journey.. It has not been an easy one. But thanks to my determined team of surgeons, my family, friends and even strangers I have been able to overcome any obstacle that has been put in my way. I have one last obstacle before I move on. THE TAKE DOWN! And I will accept the challenge with a smile. To be continued…..
Where I’d like to be in 1 year:
I would like to be working. Enjoying life with my family, planning our vacation to the Beach!
Medications:
Multivitamins! Yay!!
written by Isabel
submitted in the colitis venting area
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Hi, I’m Isabel, I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis after having my son a few years ago. I was born in Mexico City, Mexico.
