Yes, I was diagnosed colorectal cancer back in 1995 when I was 41, after 20 years of ulcerative colitis. Had to have a total colectomy and then chemo and radiation, so I lived with an ileostomy for a year until I got the j-pouch.
I'm still around, considered in good health, and the pouch is still in good shape. But I often feel lousy, only because I often feel like I have to poop, and I sometimes get leakage! I rarely feel "finished", and often experience butt burn. But no one would suspect the silent suffering I go through as I'm very active and "grin and bear it".
I think part of my problem is that I eat too much at a time, even though it's only healthy food. What goes in must come out! As I'm enjoying too much of a good thing, I know I'll be suffering later, and I do! I'm addicted to food, even though I'm quite slim. I wish I had more self control re food because I think I'd do much better with my pouch.