Takedown coming up

[MichaelO]

Hello all--

I am new to the forum and hope I am posting in the right "room". If not please someone tell me and where I should be!

I am a 67 year old male who until last year had always been in excellent health. In July, 2009 I suddenly began experieincing extreme bouts of worsening diarreah which advanced to bleeding, etc. My primary care physician thought that I had a dose of C. Diff as I had taken a broad spectrum antibiotic just previously and she prescribed two courses of Flagyl which produced no good results. Treatment then changed to Vancomycin and aside from substantially lightening my bank account nothing positive came of that.

Ultimately in September I was diagnosed with UC and after a course of some chemo-type drug (I have forgotten the name of it) which was also not successful I underwent surgery in January for the removal of my lower bowel. Apparently because of the severity of my illness the surgeon made the decision not to construct a J-pouch during that surgery and so mine was to be a three-step process. I came away from the surgery with an ileostomy. In May the surgeon constructed a J-pouch and next Monday I am going in for the final Take-Down procedure. I am SO looking forward to shedding the external appliance and moving back toward some normality of function, though I know my system will never be the same and will adjust over a period of time.

So here I am--excited about the next and final step but uncertain what my future will be like. All donations of experience and advice will be cheerfully accepted!

Best--Michael

[redhead_1978]

Hi there! You can also post in the Temporary Ostomy and Takedown/Reversal boards. You may get more replies.