Pass the crohns please

[stayc lovely]

hello my fellow crohns soliders. ive been battling crohns for 17yrs now and its been exactly that, a full on battle. i have had over 50 major surgeries including the removal of my entire large intestine, 80% of my small intestine, my uterus(&no i dont have kids), and this is the kicker-my rectum is sewn shut. yes you read the right. i now have a permanent ileostomy. honestly i put off having the ostomy for many years even with the doctors pushing it on me. it literally came down to the surgeon sitting on my bed saying"if you dont do the bag surgery tonight you will die tomorrw. i still said no thanks. i was only 24, single and full of scars. getting the bag seemed like a prison term. the only thing that changed my decision was my niece who was only 4 at time, asked if she could come visit me the next day. i realizied i had to atleast put alittle more of an effort into being here for her. she truly saved my life that day. i absolutely 100% am glad i got the bag. i use to have no life because of needing

 

[Nytefyre]

Welcome to CF, Stayc lovely!

Yeppers you have been through the ringer with this disease, sorry to read. It's good to read that you came to terms with the permanent ileostomy.:thumleft:

Isn't it strange and lovely that someone so young, like your niece, can make such a big difference?

Anyway, welcome and enjoy CF as there's a lot of information. There is also a Stoma subforum which may be beneficial to you! We are all here to offer support!

 

[xJillx]

Oh my goodness, you poor thing. I am so very sorry you've had it so hard. But being you are 100% glad you now have your bad, I assume things have been looking up? How are you currently feeling? I hope much, much better and you are having lots of fun with your niece!

 

[CDDad]

Hi Stacy,
WOW - 50 surgeries! You are truly a survivor and i think you will be a great additional to this forum. I also have an Ileostomy with the rump closed. What a funny thing to have in common.

Nice to meet ya, and see you around the forum. Check out the stoma subforum too...

 

[ameslouise]

Hi there Stayc Lovely! I too am about to join the "ileo with the butt sewn shut" club in 11 days!

You have really been through so much. I am sure your experiences will help others that may be going thru some of the same things you went thru over the years.

With all of your colon and 80% of your small intestine removed, how does this affect what you can eat? How do you manage to retain enough nutrition? Are you on TPN or elemental? Just curious how this affects your eating/food intake.

We're glad you got the surgery and glad you're here!

-Amy