I’ve had UC since 2001. First 5 years were hellish. Remicade gave me 7 years of remission, then 2 years of minor flares until nothing worked anymore—even prednisone which always worked. I ended up in the hospital for 6 weeks and had 5 blood transfusions. Because it was an emergent situation I didn’t have much choice with selecting my surgeon and feel I was lucky to have the surgeon who was available. We’re all ticking time bombs in my opinion and sooner or later anyone with UC can find themselves in an emergent situation that could their make life and their recovery much more difficult. Experienced docs understand this.