Been here before... but haven't been here in quite awhile. That's because life has been good in the J pouch world for me for a loooong time!! I had ulcerative colitis as a child (age 11-19), and finally after failed bowel rest with TPN and high dose steroids (none of that fancy biologic stuff was an option back then), had my J pouch created in 1/1991, and takedown in 5/1991. I've had great results, and really am pretty pleased with my life as a whole. I've eaten whatever I've wanted through the years (til recently; have had to make a few changes lately), my "bathrooming" times are manageable around 3-6X on average, and I rarely if ever go at night. I have a beautiful daughter, and I've just enjoyed life. No one has a clue I have had this done, unless I tell them, and I share my story often.
Jump to December 2012, and I got hit with pouchitis and a perianal abscess then fistula, which brought me back here. I'm glad this place exists! Even if it's just to unload with people who "understand," you know? My husband and family are very supportive of everything I've ever gone through (I met my husband (then boyfriend) two months before my J pouch surgery, and he's stuck with me ever since!... but sometimes, you gotta talk to other rats on the ship to feel more buoyant.
I'm a registered nurse since 1994 (my chronic illness and J pouch journey was what made me go into nursing), and I've worked both oncology and critical care. I've been in my current MICU/SICU/trauma/neuro ICU for just about 15 years now.
So, just wanted to say an official hello again.