♥My Ileum Resection Surgery for Crohn's Disease♥ (updated with an afterword)

[xXxZombieBunniesxXx]

How old were you when you had this surgery?

[trw22]

You did a really nice thing by sharing your proceedure. You have a good heart too!

[sosonut]

i have my surgery Nov 2...I'm Not scared at all..im refuses to let.Chron's destroy my life ;) Thankz for posting this video. I'm only 16 and dealing with Chron's is tough, But i have FAITH...Everyone should :=)

[sjshay28]

I have so many questions I want to ask you, how can we respond privately?

[sjshay28]

I watched your video 5 times and each time I cried. I am trying to get this surgery done on myself. I have had Crohn's for 12 years. I have been thru 3 Gastro Drs. They all have referred me elsewhere, because they didnt know what else to do with me. None of them offered surgery. I have an appt on 8/4/09 with a Dr. who will hopefully perform the surgery at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO. I hope this is a good Dr. I am scared. I have lost 50 lbs in 3 months. You are my new hero!

[uluvSparrow]

Thanks for the comment! Who is the doctor/surgeon that you are seeing at Barnes? I see Dr. Stone and my surgeon was Dr. Hunt (who are both great) but I know most of the GI docs in the center for advanced medicine. Surgery made a big difference for me, so I'm excited for you, just let me know how everything is going and about your docs and stuff. Hope to hear from you soon!

[neopeogreo]

nice video! made me smile. i had surgery 2 months back. surgery went well but i had other major complications that led to a one month stay there. was awful. but i'm out and okay now! i was 91 lbs at one point.

now have a ostomy bag for a year. but im very glad i had all this done. even that month of pure hell was worth going through to be free of the disease and the medications.

glad ur doing well!

[philliefan1094]

Hi. I just got surgery for my Crohn's. I got my ileum and another part of my small bowl removed because of 3 strictures... I am only 14.. Its only been a week and a half since the surgery, and so far it has been successful and my incisions are healing nicely. My scars look just like yours, except I didn't have a pic line in me before my surgery, but they for considering it. By watching your video, I know that there are other people out there like me... hope you do well...

[uluvSparrow]

I'm doing great since surgery, it made a big difference for me and I hope things turn out just as well for you! Surgery was scary lets hope we don't need that again for a long long time. But you should my scar now, you can hardly notice it. It's nice hearing from a fellow cronie, let me know if you want to talk- I'll be here ;]

[DitchDigger13]

Hi, I was in the exact same situation as you. I had my ileum and some other bits (60+cm in total) as well as my appendix removed when I was 14, and I was left with a 20cm scar. I had been sick for years without knowing what it was. I was only told I'd be having surgery 2 hrs before it happened, I hadn't even heard of Crohn's. It was a hard recovery I will admit, as a 14 year old, my friends didn't understand. Now I'm 17 and still have troubles digesting, but it was worht it. Good luck with it!!

[adler25cox]

Just got out of the hospital in RI from a bloackage. I've had three resections for Crohn's, the last dating back to '03. I thank g-d everyday when I'm feeling strongand healthy. I have a fantastic surgeon and GI doctor. Keeping on top of your health through diet, excerise, and love family and friends can help you get through anything. I'm happy you are feeling better and keep a positive outlook always.

[Macmador]

I'm very happy to see you've gotten so much better. I've had three small bowel operations for CD and am no better at all - I remain tired, in pain and very depressed. Opposite to your story, (I have wanted to get onto TPM as I seem to become 100% better without food in my gut), but my doctors have refused. I hope the DNA Vaccine developed by Doctor Hermon-Taylor for CD will help myself (and the many other sufferers).

[uluvSparrow]

TPN is great, although I hated having that central line put in. I have heard some people live for years with them and you can still eat if you want or are able to.

I have not heard of the DNA vaccine, but I am thrilled to hear that it is being developed.  Is it like gene therapy? and are you going to receive it? I would go balls to the walls crazy if CD was cured! I would run naked through the streets screaming with joy and kiss doctor Hermon-Taylor on the mouth ;]lol

[uluvSparrow]

oh, and btw the surgery helped me so much because I had a severe stricture full of scar tissue and pills that had been trapped. I am trying to prevent that for happening again.

Thanks for the comment

Sparrow

[Macmador]

Hello - I've had nearly twenty recurring strictures. Only five months after my last operation, the pain has started again. I was surprised how small the scar on your belly was - mine is over fifteen inches! The DNA Vaccine apprantly kills a bacterium called MAP which causes Crohn's Disease (according to Dr. Hermon-Taylor). It is a few years away from being mass-manufactured. Medicines and surgery don't help me, so I'm as desperate as yourself to get help :) Best - JC