Hi all,
I've been suffering from Crohn's Disease since November 2007. I've been on so many different types of medicines to try to treat the symptoms but none have worked for the long term. After consulting with my doc, we feel it's best to remove the colon and replace with an ileostomy (he's going to leave the rectum and everything south for when those areas heal to possibly reconnect).
I've surfed the site a little bit ("long time listener, first time caller" kinda thing) but it's definitely a scary thing. This is actually the 2nd time we've scheduled surgery, I backed out of the first appointment to try Humira (which didn't work for me). At that time, which was last fall, my wife (a registered nurse) was supportive of the surgery and I was scared out of my mind. Well, now the roles are reversed. Sure, I'm scared, but I'm tired of missing out on my life. She's not taking it so well.
Surgery is scheduled for 3/5/14 and I have a pre-op appointment this friday. I'll also meet with the ostomy nurse and they'll decide the exact location for the ostomy. If anyone could provide some recommendations for coping with all of the feelings and emotions leading up to the surgery that would be great.
I've been suffering from Crohn's Disease since November 2007. I've been on so many different types of medicines to try to treat the symptoms but none have worked for the long term. After consulting with my doc, we feel it's best to remove the colon and replace with an ileostomy (he's going to leave the rectum and everything south for when those areas heal to possibly reconnect).
I've surfed the site a little bit ("long time listener, first time caller" kinda thing) but it's definitely a scary thing. This is actually the 2nd time we've scheduled surgery, I backed out of the first appointment to try Humira (which didn't work for me). At that time, which was last fall, my wife (a registered nurse) was supportive of the surgery and I was scared out of my mind. Well, now the roles are reversed. Sure, I'm scared, but I'm tired of missing out on my life. She's not taking it so well.
Surgery is scheduled for 3/5/14 and I have a pre-op appointment this friday. I'll also meet with the ostomy nurse and they'll decide the exact location for the ostomy. If anyone could provide some recommendations for coping with all of the feelings and emotions leading up to the surgery that would be great.