I have just applied for a job that would be ideal for me but it is in a competitive office environment. Any issues I should know about regarding recovery and working? I am one month out from reversal.
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that is a good question and i wonder about it too. i think some jobs are more stressful / competitive than others, but also individuals react to stress in different ways. me, personally, i will probably get stressed in my job when i return to it! but i think i need to remember health comes first, pick and choose my battles, and not to get too caught up in rat race/competition.
at the same time, i think work will help keep your mind off things with the pouch, which can be good for recovery. just take it slow and don't be too hard on urself and u should be ok.
at the same time, i think work will help keep your mind off things with the pouch, which can be good for recovery. just take it slow and don't be too hard on urself and u should be ok.
I hope you are right. My last office environment was physically demanding because of the bizarre architecture. The bathroom was two flights of stairs away. Dealing with a UC flare there was horrible. I cannot wait to work again.
I think you just need to be realistic about the job if you get it. you can not really know if you can mange until you try. Try and if it is affecting your health then do not persist but have an honest discussion and move on.As fq says your own health must come first. You do not say how old you are and at what stage of your careeryou are. The younger and earlier the better because you are more likely to be able to mould your job to your own health issues. I am older (54Yes) and am finding it really difficult to try and fit back into my previous full time job. Even with the kindness of colleagues it is hard to modify my working patterns at this stage of my career.
Just remember it can take a while for things to be "new normal". Be patient and good luck with the job.
You should only continue to improve from this point on so I don't see it as a problem unless of course you are experiencing problems. Good luck with it! 
Not so tough,
I am 53 and have switched back to what I was doing about 20 years ago. It is an entry mid-level position with channels for fast promotion.If it goes well, it will be the job I would almost be willing to pay for. Lol. My husband and I were planning on an early retirement in two years but medical bills, unemployment and market disasters destroyed our savings and investments. I am trying to design a career path that will allow me to work into my 70s and be personally fulfilling.
I am 53 and have switched back to what I was doing about 20 years ago. It is an entry mid-level position with channels for fast promotion.If it goes well, it will be the job I would almost be willing to pay for. Lol. My husband and I were planning on an early retirement in two years but medical bills, unemployment and market disasters destroyed our savings and investments. I am trying to design a career path that will allow me to work into my 70s and be personally fulfilling.
Subzeromambo
Good luck with the application and i hope you get the job. Just look after yourself. It is very frustrating for the mind to be willing and the body to object. Remember none of us can entirely overcome physical limitations.
Take care. Sending positive thoughts
Good luck with the application and i hope you get the job. Just look after yourself. It is very frustrating for the mind to be willing and the body to object. Remember none of us can entirely overcome physical limitations.
Take care. Sending positive thoughts
Subzero,
I have had my pouch for 10 years and have worked full time for 9 of those in an office environment. For me, it's all in the planning. Your output will probably slow down and you will figure out over time what foods are best. I plan my meals very carefully and take immodium when needed. My pouch has never gotten in the way of my work, but I made sure I was completely healed, pain-free and ready when I went back. I actually also just had my reversal (#2 after a fistula repair, so recovery is a bit quicker) am two weeks out I am heading back next week. One-month out may not be enough time for you, but only you can be the judge.
Best of luck!
I have had my pouch for 10 years and have worked full time for 9 of those in an office environment. For me, it's all in the planning. Your output will probably slow down and you will figure out over time what foods are best. I plan my meals very carefully and take immodium when needed. My pouch has never gotten in the way of my work, but I made sure I was completely healed, pain-free and ready when I went back. I actually also just had my reversal (#2 after a fistula repair, so recovery is a bit quicker) am two weeks out I am heading back next week. One-month out may not be enough time for you, but only you can be the judge.
Best of luck!
Thank you for all the great information. I guess I won't know until I try. I have a couple of freelance assignments to test working with a j-pouch. One of the assignments will be a week in the backwoods. I have a feeling my pride and dignity will be tested but what the heck--if I don't try I'll never know what I can accomplish.
My return to work experience--after having the second, or ileostomy reversal surgery--seems to fit what most people have experienced. I decided to take off two weeks from work. Since I was only in the hospital for three nights, this has worked well so far. I am going back to work on Monday but will be working from home for about 3 1/2 weeks. My goal during the time off from work has been to adapt to the new j-pouch and figure out how to reduce frequency and butt burn. I also purchased a bidet toilet seat which has really aided in keeping my butt clean and avoiding use of toilet paper for the most part. I am thnking this is going to go pretty well. I do find that doing work takes my mind off the j-pouch and this also aids recovery in itself.