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"Miss L". Birmingham

In September 2010 I was admitted into hospital and diagnosed with Acute Ulcerative Colitis. After the Ulcerative Colitis failed to respond to a variety of inpatient treatments over several weeks, I underwent an emergency colectomy and ileostomy operation in October 2010.
While I was blessed with a very well behaved ileostomy, I was given the option of further surgery to form an ileo-anal pouch and close the ileostomy.  Initially, having recently undergone major surgery, I had no interested in finding out more about this possibility however, as my recovery progressed, so did my interest in an ileo-anal pouch. 

I obtained very useful information about the ileo-anal pouch procedure on the internet, most notably from the IA (Ileostomy and Internal Pouch Association) and, on the basis of this, decided I would like to at least discuss this possibility with a surgeon.  I chose to see Mr Simon Radley as he came highly recommended, both by two of his colleagues (neither of whom work for the Birmingham Bowel Clinic) and by a former patient of his who has been living a full and active life since she underwent pouch surgery with Mr Radley almost ten years earlier.
In preparation for my initial outpatient consultation with Mr Radley I had prepared a substantial list of questions I wanted to ask him – it filled a full A4 page! When I met him I was impressed that he spent over an hour with me, outlining the procedure, discussing different possibilities for surgery, explaining the potential benefits and possible risks, and providing me with statistical information. Mr Radley explained everything in a way that I could easily understand, avoided too many technical terms, and even threw in an occasional sketch when appropriate. Shortly after my consultation I received a letter from Mr Radley confirming the details of our discussion. This letter was a useful summary which reminded me of considerations I might have otherwise forgotten. 
Mr Radley put no pressure on me to make a decision one way or another, he just provided me with all the information to allow me to make an informed choice. I chose to go ahead with surgery.

My surgery was completed in two stages.  In June 2011 Mr Radley performed keyhole surgery to create my ileo-anal pouch and six weeks later when my pouch had successfully healed, I underwent a minor operation to close my ileostomy thereby ‘connecting’ my pouch. 
It is still early days and I must confess that the first few weeks have been quite challenging.  Learning what food and drink my pouch appears to like and dislike has been an interesting game of trial and error and the frequent bathroom trips can be exhausting. However I am beginning to understand my pouch a bit better every day and we are growing in confidence together!   
I cannot fault the support that I have received, and continue to receive, from Mr Radley and from Colorectal Nurse Mandy Smart who works closely with Mr Radley, and whom I’m encouraged to contact whenever I have a concern. She never seems to be off duty! 
 

"Miss L". Birmingham. November 2011