What a difference three months make!!

[Kip]

I am here, three months ago I underwent major life saving body changing surgery. This time three months ago I was told I had hours to live. Although my recovery hasn't been as easy or straight forward as anyone could have wished, my partner left me 3 days after my surgery after nine years.

I feel the best I have done in a long time, I have a permanent stoma, have had 2 further operations but feel great. I do still get pain and discomfort but my quality of life is beyond compare.

I had end stage bladder disease, my bladder and bowel failed and my prognosis was hours. I am proof that despite all odds that you can get through things, I have not stopped smiling since the surgery.

This disease is horrible, debilatating and under resourced and misunderstood, if more men suffered from this condition I am sure that more would be done.

To others out there on days when there is no let up, when you are in pain and nothing relieves it remember that things can happen when you least expect it to and your world can change for the better.

My personal life has changed for the better too as I have a new partner who was always there but waiting in the background, they stepped forward and we are each others soul mates. We are enjoying the new chapter in my new life

Good luck

Kip
xx

[L. Thomas]

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[marsi4]

Kip,

You have given others suffering with ic hope, and you are proof that there is life after ic. I am so happy with the outcome of your surgery. Your post was exactly what I,ve been wanting to read for a long time. You have given me the courage to consider surgery as I have exhausted all other options. Wonderful to read a success story. You beat ic and found love, that is wonderful. What a great man you have found and wish there were more to go around. Keep smiling, you deserve it.


Marsi4

[work it]

what a beautiful out come....thanks for the lovely post

[Kip]

Many thanks for your comments. There is life after surgery, my IC, OAB, end stage bladder disease hydronephrosis of my kidneys, kidney disease, Chron's Disease and bone marrow problems are still with me.

I now have the tools to cope better with them. I am due more surgery in two weeks to remove more of my bladder, and to reconstruct my stoma as it has overgranulated. I have a tube coming out of my stoma site like a suprapubic catheter I guess, as I have a severe latex allergy that results in anaphylaxis and therefore am unable to have a bag attached directly to my stoma site as the products used all contain latex. I had to undergo pioneering surgery, I have no one to measure my outcome with other than myself and how I feel which is great. I think my surgery has worked out better for me and less intrusive.

Regarding my partner, it is not a he it's a she, as was my previous partner, who told that my stoma was repulsive, disgusting and under no circumstances could I return to my home with a stoma. That was so hard but at the same time I had to face reality. I had those feelings going on in my head and to have my partner of nine years then voice what I was thinking, was so difficult. However, there are a lot of positives to take from this. It makes you face up to your fears, rejection and for me it made me more determined than ever to get through this.

I have learnt many things from my experience. Life is precious, live it to the full. Do not allow this horrible disease to dominate your life. It is a painful debilatating disease, but there are ways to cope. Don't rush to have surgery either, not until you have considered all options. I had no choice, which in some ways was easier as I did have the agonising decision to make or the search for the right uro to treat me.I had to choose between living or dying, I chose living and that is what I am now doing living again.

Make sure you do the same, make this disease fit in your life not the other way round

Kip
xx