Ellie --
My best advice is if you're considering surgery, do it while you're feeling relatively well (even if you're fatigued)and not wait until it's emergent. It will be a much easier recovery.
That said, I had UC for all of about 6 weeks before I was shipped off to surgery emergently. I was actually relieved to have that decision made for me, as I'm not sure I would have willingly done it, but I was so happy (immediately) not to have to face a long-term life of heavy medications, immune-suppressants, wondering when the next flareup would be, etc.
That was in January 2009. Now, 3.5 years later, I'm doing just great - healthy, happy... yes, the pouch isn't 100% like having a healthy colon, but it's a close second. The only problems I have are minor irritation if I eat too much sugar or drink too much coffee... things I should work on anyway.
Best of luck to you in making this decision. We all know it's not an easy one. But a year or so of going through surgeries and recovery is, in my opinion, so much better then spending the rest of your life in fear of your next flareup, feeling frustrated because of fatigue, and fearing possible CRC.
Becky