A couple days ago I had my pouchoscopy (Basically a colonoscopy for people with a J-Pouch). I was laying on the bed in the procedure room as the nurses and techs buzzed around getting ready and I looked down at the familiar blue hospital robes I was wearing and wondered if it was one of the countless ones I had worn before during the weeks I had spent in that hospital. I looked at the IV drip trickling saline into a vein in my arm. The familiar beeps of medical equipment around me. The over waxed linoleum floor. The PTSD began creeping in. I pushed it away by closing my eyes and thanking God for this reminder of my past life. I thanked him for reminding me of where I had been. I became so grateful that this scene was really part of my past life and it would be all gone very soon. Moments later, the meds kicked in and I drifted asleep.
I woke with my groggy ears hearing my surgeon say " Your pouch looks great. I think we are good to see you in 5 years." So that's it. This chapter of my life if closing. I understand that my life will never be the same as it was before I was diagnosed with UC. I've embraced my new normal and I am absolutely determined not to be held back. Life without a colon is not easy. When I start to feel picked on, I try and remember what my life was like while I was flaring with UC. For me, gettin the J-Pouch was a great decision. It gave me my life back, and yes, I would do it all again.
P.s. For those approaching surgery and are wondering what to expect, I know it is different for everyone, but here's how the adjustment period went for me:
First 2 Weeks: Super Rough! - Frequent accidents, especially at night. Had to wear a diaper. My stomach was always bloated with gas and struggled to get it out of me. Butt-burn was fierce and I was using way too much Calmoseptine ointment.
Month 1-3 : 6-10 trips to the toilet. Terrible gas cramps / contractions, Constant struggle with how to get the gas out of me. Butt burn / relentless itch present and unforgiving.
Months 4-7 : 6-8 trips to the toilet a day. Gas cramping lessened, figured out a few things to get the gas out of me. Laying on my back and bringing my knees to my chest seemed to do the trick.
Month 8-10 : 5-7 toilet trips a day. Cramping pretty much gone. Still struggling to figure out how to fully empty pouch. Looking back, I was probably overdoing it on the fiber making things too thick. I was drinking fiber with every meal.
Month 11-12 - 4-6 toilet trips a day. Cramping almost entirely gone. It really only occurs if I haven't emptied my pouch for several hours or if I ate something that makes the gas build up. My current schedule is follows (fluxuates depending on what time I eat):
6:30 am - Toilet Trip 1 (Sometimes I don't need this one which pushes my afternoon trip earlier)
12:30 pm - Toilet Trip 2
3:00 pm - Toilet Trip 3
5:30 pm - Toilet Trip 4 (Sometimes I don't need this one)
8:30 pm - Toilet Trip 5
10:00 pm Toilet Trip 6
This may seem like a ton of times to the bathroom a day for someone that is used to going once or twice a day. Honestly, it’s all relative. If you’ve spent months or years of your life having to go 15+ times a day and living in constant fear of crapping yourself, 4-6 times on a fairly consistent schedule, with no sudden urgency is a dream!
