6 Months Later: Jaypouchirifical
by Brevin on Tuesday, November 10, 2009 23:07I don’t want to steal thunder from Lizz’s post below. Nay, instead she actually inspired me to post my update. I would just do this as comment for her post but I don’t know how to add pictures as a comment.
November 11th will be my 6 month anniversary of the first surgery and well, it’s pretty amazing. So much so that I have no idea what word in English conveys this clearly and am thus establishing the word jaypouchirifical. This is what I’ve been up to and how my body is responding:
Weight: When I had UC, my weight would fluctuate as I had flare ups. When I got out of the first surgery, I was coming in at a 152 pounds. Now, I’m sitting around a 183 pounds and, here is the best part, it no longer fluctuates all over the place. I’m super proud of this achievement. It means my body is stable for the first time in 8 years!!
Poop: I still go more than an average person, but come on, people. Come on. During UC I had constant pains and had to run to the bathroom every hour or so. I now don’t have to rush or anything. It’s all rather casual now. My stool is also more controlled now (you know: solid, smells like flowers, wins awards).
Diet: I have less restrictions now than when I had UC. I started slowly, sampling various foods and transitioning my diet to new food groups. So far, everything is good. I do avoid a few certain styles of food because, well, the results were mixed. Leafy salad, corn, and Mexican food aren’t on my Favorites List, but there hasn’t been a food that totally wrecked me. For those concerned about Mexican food: no, you won’t have to sacrifice the deliciousness. But I do recommend you pace yourself ha.
Fiber: BeneFiber is awesome. I don’t have to take it as often. In fact, I haven’t’ taken it in over a month. Instead, I just take it when I’m going to try a new food or eat something that I know will cause issues (looking right at you, soup).
Meds: Aside from the occasional Pro Biotic (VSL #3) and multi-vitamin, I currently don’t take any medicine. For someone who used to take 12 Asacol tablets a day on top of other fun pills for many many years, this is extremely liberating. Weird, almost. But I feel like I earned this freedom by going through with the surgery.
Exercise: I go the gym 6 days a week. I’m not trying to get buff or win World’s Strongest Man, regardless of what my previous claims might have implied. Instead, I’m just really, really, really excited about being healthy again and am trying to maintain my health by helping my body out.
Scars: Check it out:
Aside from the large scar that I've had since I was a wee baby, you can barely tell.
Team Challenge: I learned about this from fellow j-pouch community member Elise. Team Challenge is having a fund-raiser half-marathon this December in Las Vegas for the CCFA and I’ve been training dangit. When I had UC, I couldn’t run unless it was straight to the bathroom. Now, get this, I can drive to the city, train, come back, and THEN use the bathroom. And when I say “train” I mean pretty long distances. This past weekend was 5 miles walking and 5 miles running. I’ve never run 5 miles in my life, ever. It’s soooo motivating to be surrounded by a team members all gunning for the same cause: finding cures for UC and Crohn’s. And yes, I’ve been raising funds. All of my fund raising goes straight to the cause: YOU. I’m doing this for everyone affected by UC or Crohn’s. I hope to make you all proud! Here is my fundraiser page. Lizz you better donate a grand or I’m sending you “questionable” pictures.
Training for a %$#ing half marathon.
ML says:
November 12th, 2009 at 2:17 pm
This is wonderful news that you are doing so wonderfully.
My surgery is this coming Tuesday and I am feeling a little anxious today. It’s funny because I read all these posts about how in the end nobody regrets the surgery. That they are leading a much better life. But I am worried I wont be. You see I will be going backwards. I have been in remission for SO long (over three years) that I pretty much feel I am so far removed from my memories of what it was like to live with active colitis. I am having this surgery because of bad cells (high grade dysplasia) and the chance of colon cancer. Now DONT get me wrong. I dont have cancer and I KNOW this surgery will save me from having colon cancer. But dang it, I am happy and healthy right now and have no issues that I use to have with my UC. I just am feeling low today about the surgery and why I have to have it. I need to regroup and look at the big prize that I will be around a lot longer with the surgery and never have a flare again even though I havent had one in over three years.
Again, Congrats to you! I hope you do well in the run!
ML
[Reply]
Jason Haas Reply:
November 12th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
ML: I just had my takedown last Thursday and had a similar fate as you: I had been in remission for over a decade and considered myself “normal”. I too suffered dysplasia which resulted in the decision to have the jpouch. I have been skeptical, as I know that I’ll be going more than I used to, but hopefully this will be the last. No more concern about cancer, no more colonoscopy preps (yeah!). So far, other than pains of getting the pouch adjusted, I have much more control than expected. Take is slow and keep your head up. Don’t focus on the past: You have no control over that. Good luck on your upcoming surgery!
- J;
[Reply]
mg Reply:
November 12th, 2009 at 6:47 pm
ML,
I really relate to your feeling a little down about the upcoming surgery. I too have been in remission (1 1/2 years) and just had a colonoscopy that revealed dysphasia. I also have a very strong family history of colon cancer. So, the doc recommends removal of my colon and I have an appt. with the surgeon on Dec.1. It came as quite a shock because I’ve been feeling so well, and have had zero symptoms, and have gained all the weight back. Although it’s a hard thing to hear, I’m glad I have a few weeks to research, plan and get used to the idea. It is nice knowing the threat of cancer will be gone. The colitis will be gone too. I hope with the j pouch that all the dark clouds of worry, embarrassment, and weariness that come with colitis, even the inbetween-flares times of colitis, go away. I wish you the best with your surgery and recovery.
mg
[Reply]
Mark Reply:
November 15th, 2009 at 7:04 pm
ML, I can’t imagine how difficult this would be to enter when not having physical symptoms but something hidden that you have to remove. All I can assure you of is that your life will be altered and recovery from the surgery may have some challenging moments. But giving your children a long healthy life with their Mom is worth the jpouch. And also giving you the guarantee of zero cancer is wonderful for you. I follow Becca on her blog and she has been fighting many years colon cancer and that disease has truly dominated her life. http://thecolonchronicles.blogspot.com/ Visit Beeca’s site. Although this surgery isn’t what you’d like, the outcome of no cancer worry is priceless. Hang in there and we are all here to get through your recovery time (both the good and bad times). Mark
[Reply]
Elise says:
November 15th, 2009 at 12:03 am
Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!! Team Challenge in Vegas is only three weeks away!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can’t believe I am doing this either, even though I have a permanent ileostomy, I am still better than ever!!
[Reply]
Brevin says:
November 20th, 2009 at 12:35 pm
What’s up with UFC fighter Brock Lesnar? He had intestinal surgery as well, but I can’t find any detailed info other than: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/news?slug=dw-white111809&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
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