Hi Erica,
Welcome to the board. :)

You sound as if you are keeping your options open and investigating
the possibilities. I've read that pregnancy is easier with a stoma
than a J pouch but I'm sure your surgeon will advise you.

I'd suggest you check out both the ostomy and pouch boards - you can
find pouch links here:
http://www.ostomylinks.co.uk/pouch.html

It's very natural to feel down after any surgery:
http://www.autoimmunity.co.uk/depression2.html

and after ostomy surgery:
http://www.autoimmunity.co.uk/depression5.html

Finally, for ostomate clothing have a look at these links;
http://www.ostomylinks.co.uk/products5.html

I hope this helps Erica,
Kathy

> Not sure If I'm supposed to post an introduction, but just in case...
> Hello,
> My name is Erica, I'm 30 years old, and I live in San Diego County,
> CA. I've been married 31/2 years and I have a 15 month old
> daughter. I had a total colectomy with ileostomy last week, on
> January 24. I've had UC for 8 years and have been through the usual
> in-and-out-of-the-hospital, prednisone, asacol, Immuran, killer
> antibiotics routine. We were hoping I could get a bit healthier and
> have this (seemingly inevitable) surgery on an elective basis, but I
> just kept getting worse. After 13 days of rotting in a hospital bed,
> I made the decision for surgery, the decision of my life!
> I decided to not have my rectum removed at this time to prevent the
> potential infertility risks from having surgery in the lower pelvic
> region. The plan is for us to conceive 1 more child, then I'll
> decide if I want to have two more surgeries to get a J-pouch or stick
> with a permanent ileostomy (in which case, I would have to have the
> rectum removed eventually to prevent cancer). I am going to join the
> local UOAA group and try to get as much information as I can about
> the two options from as many people as possible.
> At any rate, for at least the next 5 years, and maybe forever, I will
> be an ileostomate. So far, I'm dealing okay. My husband, family and
> friens have all been supportive. I'm scared about what it will be
> like to face the outside world (I've pretty much been recovering at
> home in PJs- with the exception of 1 doctor's visit). Every time I
> go to the bathroom, I see the pouch and I get a little sad. I keep
> looking for specialized clothing (bathing suits, underwear, pouch
> covers) on the web and nothing seems like it's made for my age-
> group. I don't want people to feel sorry for me, or for people to
> think I'm weird or abnormal, or worse yet- gross. I really don't
> want to be "that poor lady who had to have an ostomy."
> Anyway, I know I can deal with this, but sometimes it's not easy.
> Hopefully I can find some support here.
> Erica
>