is a good support network out there for colin surgery patients?

[morgan]

I am hoping to find a good sight that can provide support to people with diverticulosis and other bowel problems that often require surgery.  I am having a portion of my upper colin removed in two weeks and am experiencing alot of anxiety.  I would like to find some people who have been through this before.  If you know of any web sights I could check out I would appreciate the info. Thanks.

[Husker]

I do not know anything about diverticulitis however I had colon surgery in 1990.  This was due to a tumor in the colon.  They removed from my small intestine about one-half of my colon, then "spliced" the two together.  After about a one and one half weeks in the hospital and a few weeks of recovery time, I soon got back to normal, no medications or anything.  Since then I have no restrictions as to exercise, lifting, eating or drinking and am still doing great.  Granted, surgery, hospital time, and recovery time is certainly not fun but the time thereafter is certainly rewarding and well worth it.  Good luck, you will do great.  "Go Big Red".

[had same problem]

In April of 2000, I had all of my colon but 8 inches removed. It was very scarry. They didn't tell me what to expect afterwards. When I woke up from the surgery I had a bandage from my breast to my pelvic bone. I had a tube in my nose and I felt like ****.  At first it's very scary but after a couple of days when you can finally have something to eat or drink it's o.k.  I'm so glad I had the surgery now. I feel better than I had felt in a long time. Then hospital stay lasted 10 days, remember everyone is different. everyone recovers differently. I got so tired of being sick all the time. A few days of pain far outweigh what I was going through.  You will be fine, surgery is very scary, but it's not bad.  Good luck and respond when you have it done.