Vic - I know how you feel only I'll be 64 next week. I've never had any problems or ever been ill. Twice had ulcerated colitis but meds healed it within a month both times. Never had to stop eating or going anywhere, just took the meds I was fine. My husband and I have a condo at the beach and last year in March we were walking along the beach and I told him I had never felt better in my life - please don't ever say that, it was the kiss of death. Came home and the ulcerated colitis flared up again - immediately went to my physician took the meds, nothing worked. Had me on everything - 60 mg of predinosone, a cancer drug 6MP, asacol - you name it I was on it. Nothing worked, hospitalized locally for two weeks, came home and got sicker by the day. On a good day I was going to the bathroom 12 to 17 times a day. On a bad day 30. Finally on July 1st I fell down in my hallway and couldn't get up. My husband called 911 and they took me in Pittsburgh, four days on a ventilator, 9 days ICU no one could make up their mind whether my colon should be removed or not. Then they decided I should have it removed but by the time they got me to the operating room I was too weak for the operation. After two more weeks in a step-down room I was taken to a rehab facility. I couldn't walk, pull myself up in bed or anything. Then a fistula appeared near my rectum. By this time their was no dignity left. Living in a diaper and not being able to move was almost more than I could bear. Finally after seven more weeks they decided I needed the colon removed immediately so back to Pittsburgh I went had the surgery and they removed all my colon and part of my intestines. I now have an ileostomy for the rest of my life. When I tell you I know what you're going through - I know. I was so sick of the drugs - also had a blood clot so they put me on cumadin. Long, long story short. I didn't get home again until Sept. 19, 2009. I finally got well, went back to the beach, just got my strength back . . . finally got used to the pouch and looked down - had an umbilical hernia. So here we go again. Just had surgery again on May 26th. Will forever have the pouch but if your wife is anything like my husband, please, please have the surgery. My husband was with me every day from beginning to end. He could care less about the bag and once you have your clothes on no one ever knows you have it. There is another site called C3 Life that people just like you and me write to and any question you have or any help you need is always there for you. Once you get off all the drugs you will feel like a new person. You'll be able to do everything you ever did before you just have to take extra procautions sometimes. Some of the stories on C3 will make you laugh cry. There are so many people that are worse off than you and I. You're so young - don't let this keep you down, you have a wonderful family to live for. Enjoy life.
Nanc
Nanc