Hi, Just a quick intro to say hello, and thank Eric for all his work! I am a 56 y/o Marine now with an ileostomy and abdominalperinalresection (Ken butt). Two years ago I was diagnosed with UC; this was after years of "IBS." No biologics worked, and was on Prednisone for about 18 months at 40-60 mg; finally tapering and will be off in a few more weeks! I am now three weeks plus 2 post op, and life is wonderful!! Knock on wood, my ileostomy was a success (thank the gods for the VA) and my new-found freedom is still shocking to me. I am already walking two miles a day in 30 minutes. My surgeon was old-school and did not use laparoscopy as he said he didn't become a surgeon to use chopsticks! LOL No worries as, "pain heals, chicks dig scars, and glory lasts forever." Car rides are not that comfortable yet, but I did take my lady out for V-day -- though I am napping now, which I have never done. I still cannot believe the freedom, after two years in the bathroom for eight plus hours a day -- I'll take the pain (it is healing pain, and everyday is a day closer to 99% back to normal; something of a mind flip). To anyone new to this like me, try and not dwell on the past, but look forward to each new day -- even with the learning curve and potential problems, it beats what came (or didn't) before. Eric's videos and this site gave me a real head start both pre- and post-op. Looking forward to touching bases on this forum, and learning more. I hope one day to work with my local ostomy group here in Tucson, AZ. Cheers! âHope is not an effective strategy...â Hi Kiltedwolf. Welcome to the forum. I found it exciting getting back to doing normal things as well. Little goals achieved are very rewarding. The very best going forward 😀👍 ileostomy 31st August 1994 for Crohns Hi Kiltedwolf, glad that everything is working out well for you. Welcome to the site where you will find lots of helpful people.  I have to admit I would be concerned with a surgeon who says he didnât become a surgeon to use chopsticks. The translation would be that he doesnât understand new technology. Yikes.  Laurie Just a semicolon Hi Kiltedwolf, It is wonderful to see how well you are doing! My ostomy is almost three years old, and I am very thankful for it. And you went out for Valentineâs day ❤️ - we went âoutâ by driving to a restaurent for Mexican dinners to-go, and I went âoutâ of the car (it was twenty degrees below zero, so that was nice of me) to go inside the restaurant to pick it up! Colostomy 4/30/18. Thanks! Actually, I understand my surgeon completely. Not every technology is best for every surgery. The ability to get his hands inside provided much more tactile awareness and the ability to see and make adjustments as needed. Also, in the case of my "ken butt," there was no need to turn things inside out; a simple drain out of one butt cheek and it's already healed up. I was up and walking the DSU less than 24 hours after surgery. The kids today sometimes just want to use the newest toys. I find it similar, as I am an "old school" coach (not a trainer -- I don't train dogs or dolphins), I have to laugh at some of the things I see and hear from my clients. Some times the old ways are still the best ways. And since he is one of the top gastro surgeons, I'll go by his results. Cheers! âHope is not an effective strategy...â Hi Kiltedwolf Like your style man! Do you have some Scottish blood (Kilt) a Sassenach asking? Your surgeon might be a wise man robotics and laparoscopic sometimes miss what you haven't seen! The idea of them is they decrease the amount of wound damage to healthy tissue and speed the healing and recover. But as you have proven in your story you incredible positivness and determination typical of a VA is the best medicine. Don't go flashing you Ken Butt, just because you have a kilt - It will be difficult to pass it off as a war wound :lol: Colostomy Jan 2020 Hi @kiltedwolf,  Love your attitude. It's a difficult one to achieve for some. You couldn't have found a better support network than this community with all its fine people and impressive resources. If you're interested, here's my intro from 2019. It's great to have you with us. Keep spreading the joy! Tony Awesome intro! Thanks for sharing that. It's always nice to read positive stories (understandably more difficult to find online) and I have no doubt that you'll continue to move forward in a positive direction, especially once you get off Pred. P.S Thank you for your service. Just your friendly neighborhood ostomate. Hi Kiltedwolf Like your style man! Do you have some Scottish blood (Kilt) a Sassenach asking? Your surgeon might be a wise man robotics and laparoscopic sometimes miss what you haven't seen! The idea of them is they decrease the amount of wound damage to healthy tissue and speed the healing and recover. But as you have proven in your story you incredible positivness and determination typical of a VA is the best medicine. Don't go flashing you Ken Butt, just because you have a kilt - It will be difficult to pass it off as a war wound :lol: Thank you! Actually second generation Irish -- but we're cousins, and the kilt or other bifurcated garment has to be the best choice for any man! Nope, my Ken Butt is definitely not a war wound, LOL! I keep the flashing to the wife these days -- much safer, LOL! Cheers! âHope is not an effective strategy...â Tony, thank you. And thank you for sharing your story -- it certainly puts things into perspective for me, and hopefully others. All the best to you, and your wonderful wife. Cheers! âHope is not an effective strategy...â  Thank you! Actually second generation Irish -- but we're cousins, and the kilt or other bifurcated garment has to be the best choice for any man! Nope, my Ken Butt is definitely not a war wound, LOL! I keep the flashing to the wife these days -- much safer, LOL! Cheers! Haha well you get a purple butt for your Ken Butt, only possible a quick flash on a kilt day (this one is for the girls on the site)!!!! I guess your ancestors moved to AZ as its certainly drier than the emerald island (Ireland's- very green because it rains LOTS). I never though before but I suppose a kilt is a quick reaction garment? keep the spirit going and keep us posted Cheers! Colostomy Jan 2020 welcome kiltedwolf, Its the perfect attitude to be grateful for you new life and look forward to the wonderful rest of it. Your story really took me back to the bad old days of UC ! So glad I'm patched up. You are going to do great ... already are. Onset of severe Ulcerative Colitus Oct.2012. Subtotal colectomy with illiostomy July 2015; Peristomal hernia repair ( Sugarbaker, mesh, laparoscopic) May 2017. @kiltwdwolf....Welcome to VO! Always good to have another member. Yes, I agree. There is a time & a place for robotics! lol! Old school rescued me several times! Ask any questions you may have. Keep that chin up & the kilt down!! lol! Linda
I love the smell of coffee in the morning. It smells like .... victory.
Crohn's diagnosed in 1995.
Spontaneous colon perforation and emergency end ileostomy surgery in 2018.
No colon - still rollin'!
No eyesight - life still bright!
Stomaversary - December 4th
~ Crohn's Disease ÂŚ Ileostomy ~
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