Emma,<br>Wow -- sounds like you've been through a
lot...I was diagnosed when I was 16 and hospitalized soon
after for 4 weeks. I had an emergency ileostomy --
which I had for 9 years. I'm 25 now and just had the
j-pouch surgery at the end of August. I think that it's
great that you've started this site -- I would have
loved to have had something like this when I was
younger. Whatever surgery we have to go through to combat
this UC, it's better than having the disease. It's
been a difficult recovery for me, but it's all
positive in the end. Quality of life does return -- just
remember to exercise if you can and start eating veggies
as soon as possible! I'm vegetarian, and though it's
been a little more difficult, I think it's better in
the long run to have the vegetables (no broccoli,
cauliflower, carrots) than not. Anyway, good luck with your
site -- I'll try to send people your way.<br><br>Joan