One Year After Colon Removal! | Vlogmas Day 13

Want to follow along all 25 days of this year's Vlogmas? Follow here: • Vlogmas 2020
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[@ablair33556]

I just wanted to thank you , the last few days I’ve been running a fever and having cold chills , just feeling terrible. My Covid & flu tests were negative so I started to think it was from my Crohn’s disease. I watched your video about sepsis and I had ever single symptom. I brought myself to the er and got admitted for sepsis 🤦🏻‍♀️. I’ve been getting antibiotics and steroids and I feel a million times better than I did. Thank you for sharing your story.

[@lisamurray2407]

Feel better soon Amanda, take care Xx

[@ablair33556]

@@lisamurray2407 thank you !!

[@shelley6746]

Get well soon🤒

[@debbieminor6030]

Wow! Thankful you got to the hospital! Praying you feel better soon!

[@ablair33556]

@@debbieminor6030 thank you ! I’m home now and I never want to go through that again !!

[@lisalove511]

People have no right to tell you what not to do or what to do. As you said, you’ve been through ten years of this and the key word here is: YOU! Prayers and blessings to you both as always! 🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻

[@MrOGREATWISEONE]

Congratulations for enduring 10 years of uncertainty and discomfort Maggie. May the next 10 years be full of joy and comfort. 💐 🎄 🐨 🦘

[@Michael-MYR]

Great vid, I am having my Colon removed next week due to UC(15 years of treatment) and Colon Cancer, watching all your videos, thank you for all your work on these videos...Keep smiling.

[@TheLg1985]

I am not a sufferer or chronic illness, but 1 day your video (can't recall which) popped up in my feed and I've been hooked since! I didn't get notified of vlogmas day 13 today for some reason and was worried you may not have been feeling well. Glad to see your good!

[@Mamma-Tex]

Been watchin ur videos since my mom got her colostomy 2 months ago. Your information has been really helpful to us. Helped normalize her situation and helped her be more grateful. Stage 4 colon cancer with constant blockages. Now she’s comfortable!!! No current tumors needing although it’s inevitable BUT at least her stomach pains and FEARS are gone 🎉

[@christieghunt5728]

Oh! You are like a different person today. I am so happy you feel better let’s continue feeling good!! You are a trooper !!!!

[@ShannonDagher]

I’m a fellow chronic illness warrior! Thank you for inspiring me with your transparency, normalcy, and positivity. Most importantly, never let anyone tell you how to treat your own body. You know what works for you. Congratulations to you both on your recent wedding! To a lifetime of happiness! 🥰🥳❤️

[@candicayton8322]

It's so nice to see your positivity today. You are such an amazing person Maggie. With all that you have conquered, you stay positive and hopeful. Your story has helped many people to understand and stay strong in dealing with this awful disease. You should take great pride in sharing your journey. Love you Maggie.

[@lilliandroscha4265]

Thank you for giving your year-out perspective, Maggie! I just got home from the hospital yesterday from this surgery. So good to know there are better days coming!

[@candicayton8322]

Good luck to you.

[@cherishinman9896]

"Wasn't right for everyone, but it was right for me." 👏🏻👏🏻 PREACH GIRL! I don't have IBD (know a bunch of people who do), so I have no experience there. I did have biliary dyskensia go undiagnosed because my severe pain didn't always follow a "classic" pattern. I spent seven years seeking a diagnosis and eventually (in January 2015) had my gallbladder out. SO MANY PEOPLE in my life reacted to that surgery like I just woke up and decided one morn to remove it like one chooses socks. I wanted to scream "WHERE have you been these past seven years?! I tried all the other things." Ultimately, my dad's gallbladder ruptured mid diagnostic laparotomy when I was a baby after years of similar pain, and I was NOT taking that risk. Nearly 5 years later, I have zero regrets. Thanks so much for sharing your journey so others can see where their own tunnel can go. ♥️ ((Also, if recovering from the fourth degree tear I had with my son's birth was ANYTHING even close to your recovery, you have all my love and ibuprofen. I don't think anyone knows the strain that area takes by just existing until it's full of sutures.))

[@belw2194]

Your comments about the surgery are spot-on and others are always so quick to chastise you for going through what is one of the worst surgeries you could possibly have. If there were any other choice, you would have explored it and opted for it. Nobody goes into having this surgery lightly. Its emotionally difficult to wrap your head around too. I had my full APR surgery (so exactly what you had, AND the permanent colostomy done simultaneously, due to cancer), around two weeks prior to you having yours. As you did your videos, they basically coincided with what I went through and I could so relate to the pain, discomfort, adjustments, and everything that changes when you have all your "bits" removed. It's also worse for women, due to the separating wall being so thin between front and back areas, that invariably the surgery affects the front region too. Not to mention the stitches that feel like being seated on a barbed wire fence constantly. Isn't it also weird that you can have all that removed and still be okay? I actually joked when seeing my histology images of what was removed, as it's weighed, so we actually know what our rectums weighed Lol Again, as you're experiencing a year on; something is not right and I too will in the new year have further surgery to check what's going on. Just when you think it's all done, they want too dig around and give you that dreaded barbed wire fence to sit on again. Hoping all goes well with your current situation, and that you too have elected to wait till the new year and enjoy this festive season sans more stitches. May you and Zac have a blessed Festive Season Maggie xxx B in South Africa

[@jamespayette7574]

Maggie....for once I’m not gonna respond without a comment about the pups. I am in such awe with your strength,resolve, and positive attitude. I,too, have several health issues that I deal with. I look to you as a role model on how to face them....Hi pups!

[@kecrn4132]

She is a true inspiration... her patients were so lucky to have such an understanding, compassionate, strong, inspiring nurse.

[@hashtagmate]

The wedding clip makes me so happy every time I see it 🥲🥺

[@stevenhenson2152]

You are a very strong lady.What a time it has been for you.

[@valleygirlgg]

You are so brave! I can only imagine how painful the surgery must have been. Yay that you can do more now

[@jonkicker1278]

I am so glad that you feel so much better. You definitely made the right decision for you.

[@michellesimonds7723]

I’m so happy for you! Thank you for your videos. I recommend them to patients and medical staff. You have great insights! Thanks again!

[@rebecaroman6178]

I'm happy to know you feel like that about your surgery. As a surgeon, that's motivating. Thank you some much for sharing your thoughts and journey, you are so inspiring.

[@sandralee9051]

Maggie you are the pravest person I've ever seen ♡ keep sharing, when I had my stoma there was no one like you to give me strength to get through it, ♡ happy holidays ☆

[@marissaclifford4882]

Always trust yourself! I'm so glad you feel so much better now! 😊❤💜 I'm so grateful you got the surgery!

[@NorseButterfly]

My uncle is in the hospital with an ileus, which was discovered after his back surgery this past week. He also threw a blood clot in his lung. My aunt is a nervous wreck since she can't be there, plus there's no communication from the Dr. She said she has to wait for my uncle to call her after the Dr makes rounds to get an update. They've treated the ileus with meds so far... that's all I know. Please keep him in prayer.

[@WhoAmI2YouNow]

Ohh no.. I had an ileus this july, when I got my ostomy surgery. They treated it with an enema in my ostomy with a very long tube 😨 It had to be repeated a few times, and they hurt me, but when I did it myself it did not!! So if your uncle needs this, maybe he can ask to do it himself? Because then you will feel it when the tube hits a curve... (Not saying that this is what he needs though..) I wish him, and you the best! Stay strong

[@WhoAmI2YouNow]

Hey I saw you have vEDS! I have hEDS, It's nice to meet someone like myself here :)

[@autumnbrooklyn3968]

Thanks for these videos. I too have an ostomy, but originally had a j-pouch so my colon went first. They thought it was UC. 10 years later it was Crohns and I got the ileostomy. Before my first surgery, I tried all the restrictive diets. Before my ileostomy surgery, I once again tried all the restrictive diets. I tried all kinds of things and really deprived myself for a long time. I'm glad you did not do that. It helped to know that I tried everything but I lost years. After I got my ostomy, I was walking one day and noticed I had no pain and it felt amazing. I hadn't realized just how much pain was a part of my baseline daily functioning. Congratulations on one year!

[@selinabeth4346]

Thank you for sharing your story. It's amazing to see how normally you can live your life with something that seems like such a challenge. You're a prime example of mindset is everything :) I have an appointment for a colonoscopy in January to figure out what on earth is going on with my bowels among other immune system issues - they all seem to be connected. What were everyone's main symptoms when diagnosed with Chrone's/IBD? I'm so new to this world, I don't even know the difference - I just know my doctor suspects Chrones specifically.

[@Mark-zm9yg]

great video maggie love watch your videos ..I'm 53 weeks post op from having my proctocolectomy with ileostomy surgery and i know for myself it was and is the best decision for me my op was due to bowel cancer i had my first surgery 30 years ago and i nearly had a Colostomy back then must say year on i feel great still the odd thing i cant do but working on that :)

[@karbear26]

I love your top!! Hope you get the cyst drained and your wound can heal!

[@annyauslonseva]

Only you can know what's right for you. People without illness or with a mild case have no business telling you what to do. Good job for trying everything you can to care for yourself and for making yourself feel better ❤ best wishes to you on your journey 😊

[@Joyce-dd3fm]

God bless you Maggie! You're beautiful and very brave! I'm so happy you are feeling so much better!

[@melaniepoulton6738]

You made the right decision Maggie-so glad you are doing awesome I year in

[@pamharvill621]

So glad you're feeling better Maggie wishing you years of happiness and just so you know I love every video and vlog you and Zak make you're such a cute couple please don't stop making them stay safe you two 😊

[@maryinsanfrancisco]

The right decision won't necessarily be the easy one. Sometimes getting to the outcome we want takes work and brings some disappointments and frustrations, but that doesn't mean it wasn't 100% the right choice. I'm glad you have no regrets, I have to imagine that must make the present challenges a bit easier to deal with. Keep on keeping on, girl and keep on inspiring and educating.

[@jeanettelavoieart7702]

I had my colon removed 6 1/2 years ago and with me my ulcerative colitis started in may of 2014 and by August of 2014 my colon was gone and once my large intestine was removed I remember feeling so much better after 4 months of being sick.

[@annegreenwood3624]

love your tree i too get car sick and trying to find a bathroom so difficult so your videos really help and inspire me you look so pretty thanks for another great video

[@jessicaborgogni9595]

Lovely colors on you, Mags!

[@southernoregoncatmom6519]

I'm glad that you're doing well.

[@AngeliqueRenae]

I have chrons disease, ulcers in my large intestine. I'm on medication for the rest of my life so I don't bleed out of my butt again. You are such an inspiration thank you xo

[@Hajkalwhhw]

You can try homeopathy or ayurveda, allopathy has no medicine .

[@AngeliqueRenae]

@@Hajkalwhhw thank you, I have an operation coming up to see if it has gotten worse.

[@willsmom93]

It’s your body, your decision.

[@impsycho3479]

A few months ago I got the temporary colostomy and it changed my life, I was having severe stool incontinence and just had to go to the bathroom 24/7, I basically had to use the bathroom at all times for about 10 years since I was a kid. There was technically nothing wrong with my body, everything was healthy but these problems were still happening and no one knew why, So my doctor gave me a few options and I immediately went with the bag because I'd wanted one for years and I love it so much, I went from a guy with terrible outlook on life and state of mind, to moving out and applying for jobs, But a few weeks after that surgery I started to have output problems with mucus and strong urges to use the bathroom again, So at my next appointment in a few days Im doing to ask for my Dr to seal up my bottom, I am 10000% confident that I want the bag for the rest of my life because the bag gave me it back, I just need the output to stop and Im very hopeful to get my life started again. Any advice or tips/precautions I should think about would be very appreciated!

[@janiceblackwell4793]

I had my colon removal in June 2020, I will be having surgery for the removal of rectum and anus! I know it is a rough surgery and I know it needs to be done...I don’t look forward to the pain, but I am looking forward to the end of this nightmare. 47 years of pain, flares , fistulas all that swelling that comes with Chrons.

[@Cochita322]

Hi Maggie❤ so happy you are healing so well god bless you

[@davidchadaway6280]

Hi Maggie, it's been a year and half since I had my rectum removed and which was a year after having my colon removed and getting a perminant iliostromy. l remember how awful it was before my rectum was removed with the mucus, urgency and just feeling unwell. You know l remember not long after the surgery suddenly realising l didn't feel unwell, l felt good for the first time in a long time. l was colitis free and have never looked back. Wishing you and Zak all the best. Dave 👊

[@crazycatlady6922]

Pretty shirt. I love tie dye and those are beautiful colors 😍

[@gildahorwitzsoto9876]

We LOVE YOU AMAZING GIRL GOD HAVE BEAUTIFULL PLANS FOR YOU ZACK WAS ONE OF THEM ENJOY YOUR LIFE😍💚❤🧡

[@maryreynolds5310]

Oh Maggie, I relate girl, totally relate! I wish though I had a doctors that helped me understand a bit more then even I understand now. I still sit on the commode with the pains that can take my breath away! Anyway, this isn’t about me, it’s about your recovery..and I’m glad your in a better place then you were few years back. Hang in, one day you will wake up, be so normal..”normal” as you or I know it...forget about it all. Days are like they should be (shhhh) and life goes on without a hitch. No pun intended. 😉 Peace and love 💕

[@MrWheelright]

i hope you are still able to have children,whatever happens best wishes and gods blessing

[@brandonshaw7619]

You lookin better glad too see

[@BelladonnaHarker]

Ok.... my gastroenterologist and ostomy surgeon both said to me when I got my ostomy that the rectum ALWAYS needs to be removed after a few years of the ostomy. I believe they stated worries about colon cancer or other things developing. I have never heard that you can keep the rectum detached, at least not for more than a few years.

[@gothgirlatheart3545]

You are brave. I could never have any surgery except the bcir

[@mizuza12]

I'm not a Crohn's patient. But I am chronically ill and disabled. Boy do I relate to the being unreliable..it really makes you feel awful. I've been unable to work for 6 years and my hubby had to resign from his job to care for me. I'd love to be able to commit to a little volunteer position but the feeling of letting people down ( frequently) stops me.

[@LIrons-Gators]

You don't know how much your vlog is helping me since I found it a few days ago! No one has been able to figure out the Vag drainage and you confirmed it for me.... I'm dealing with my wound 17 mos. since this surgery; still have a tiny area that keeps opening like you, and a sinus that formed just outside of my lady area which was just recently discovered. I still cannot sit comfortably and would love to hear how you transitioned from sitting on hips to using pillows (I've purchased several and also have the "waffle pillow" that was given to me by my surgeon). I am just so worried that sitting will pop all the parts that closed open. Would love to hear your method.

[@jewellenea9257]

I know. I actually had a doctor treating me for dysfunctional bleeding for 4 years. He said if it gets to impacting your life we can operate. I said do it now.

[@DanaWilliams05]

My son is 21 and is having this problem with nausea, constantly in the bathroom with the feeling of having to constantly go poop. He's really miserable, he's skinny and it's affecting his job. He's given a hard time at work because of it and he don't know what to do. I had him tested as a kid for chrons disease but everything was normal. He did have inflammation in his gi track. I and going to have him test for colitis. I feel terrible for him. He suffers on a daily basis just getting out of the house without feeling like he needs to run to the restroom. Any advice would be greatly appreciated 🙏

[@rennierad]

Much love ❤

[@WhoAmI2YouNow]

I got two ostomy's this july, and my first surgeon said that my colon had to be removed because of the same mucus-problem as you. Sadly, the second surgeon would NOT listen to him and me, and decided to keep the colon intact. And yep....... I now am spending hours a day in the bathroom, lot of mucus, lot of pain. I do not have an inflamed colon, so the surgeons won't ever take it out. Soooo I hope the mucus problem will desolve on its own. Any tips??

[@poppyflower7873]

I relate to your anxiety over frequent bathroom visits at work, as I also worked in a hospital for many years, and would need to interact with patients all day. On disability often, and finally had to quit to have ileostomy changed from inside pouch to outside pouch. My condition was from ulcerative colitis, which if not able to be under control with meds, can turn into cancer after ten years. Also, the meds, themselves, had serious side effects, especially prednisone. You made the right decision. Do you have issues with hydration? I have a great booklet, that I got from some Ileostomy organization. I will be happy to send info about that to anyone interested.

[@distillg]

Arh the butt, 40 odd years ago i had my ileostomy surgery the whole lot at once, after a few weeks my stitches in the butt had to be removed (that's a story all of it's own) anyway one has the occasional scratch as one doe's and i lost my hand in my butt wound, now i'm a big boy (were still talking hands here) and i nearly fainted as i was under the impression it would only be a small round cut following the outlines as it were! well i spent the next few months just lying in hospital having my butt wound illuminated (think it was an ultra violet light supposed to help with the healing) and then the butt packed every day, apparently you have to heal from inwards to outwards otherwise you get lots of problems, well after about 5 months i was allowed out all padded etc, just for the day as the wound was just to big (and no i don't have a big arse) to be managed at home, plus no one to do it. then still mainly in hospital with odd days out for the next few months, just about healed so back to work lift something heavy and wound splits and so the saga went on for another few years before i could finally say i'm healed (well the butt at anyrate)

[@6Fiona6_P_6]

One Year? Time has flown by. It just seems like yesterday that You were in the stage of contemplating having the surgery....... ☮️⚛️ 🌲❄️ 🌏

[@robinthornton8282]

I am going to have proctocolectomy surgery soon. I have a history of bowel problems since birth and have been dealing with UC for the past 10+ years. I also have strictures and have had gastric bypass. So my anatomy is crazy weird. I will be having a bariatric surgeon assisting with my GI surgeon. I was wondering if you had any suggestions on diet in my situation. I am definitely a meat eater and already have to push the protein. After my last nightmare of hospital stays in the ICU I have lost probably 2/3 of my hair. I am miserable and no stamina at all. I can cook simple meals but then my husband has to clean up after eating. I need advice, encouragement and prayers. I am thinking seriously about going on disability and I am also a nurse. You can't be charge nurse when you are spending most of the shift in the restroom. I have one more test, a sigmoidoscopy, to see exactly how much of my rectum is involved and then we're scheduling the surgery. I would appreciate any advice! Thanks so much for your vlog it has helped me so much. Keep it going!

[@ApexCdHD]

I lost my colon just over a year ago too

[@DWPersianExcursion]

Beautiful

[@DesMowadeng]

Missed the live chat but wondered if they had to make an incision in your rectum rather than sewing it up...would it have healed together?

[@jimjam4082]

I had my rectum and large colon removed 13 months ago myself and with me, they decided to not sew it up and let in close from the inside out. I had a rather large wound due to fistulas so sewing wasnt rally an option. I'm not sure if that is what you meant or if they can just make a cut and let it heal while leaving the rectum in. If that's the question then I would have to say no. That would just in effect be like sweeping the dirt under the rug. The diseased or infected portions would still be there wreaking havoc on your body. I hope this helps answer your question. :) EDIT: Large intestine, not colon. sorry.

[@DesMowadeng]

@@jimjam4082 what I meant was a cut like an apicectomy women get when they deliver if the baby is large. It just seems like it would really be hard to heal something naturally meant to be open however with a cut of some sort I wondered if it would be easier to heal.

[@johnparry2918]

Good for you. I had my proctocolectomy in April 2019, but my surgeon did not close my anus at the time. My wife was dying from ovarian cancer and we wanted to do some hiking on Mt Rainer in the summer while she could do that kind of hiking. The surgeon did not think I would have recovered enough to allow me to do the hiking. In April of this year I again asked my surgeon about closing my anus after listening to your experience. Of course Covid had hit so she told me two things. One just to close the anus would be as big a surgery as the proctocolectomy and she would not be willing to do the surgery until late next year of possibly not until 2022

[@kgfes]

I have what may be an obvious question. Now that you have had the colorectomy+proctectomy, are you still technically an IBD patient? Do you have any of the symptoms even the minor ones?

[@LetsTalkIBD]

I am because Crohn's disease can still affect my mouth, esophagus, stomach, and small intestine - unfortunately! But they have not been nearly as affected as my colon/rectum. I get stomach pain every now and then, probably from a small bit of inflammation in my small intestine!

[@brandicew7704]

Hi you two, I am newly subscribed but I have been watching you on and off for a little while now and I think what you're doing is great. I'm thinking of doing the same for women with my own issue. But the reason I'm writing right now, is because I am a little worried for you guys, but am unsure of the exact laws and procedures of it all when it comes to Canada vs USA I know and I'm sure your subs do as well, that you are speaking from personal experience and things you have been told/read and have been offered/prescribed over the years, but nowhere in the vids do you have the disclaimer that you are in no way giving medical advice nor telling anyone to forego seeing their doctor or their doctors advice in favor of what you recommended. Please do not take this as a criticism or as me saying you are giving medical advice. I am just genuinely concerned for that 1 in a million word or phrase that somebody takes the wrong way or if god forbid the family of an IBD "sufferer", (for lack of a better word I'm sorry) loses their loved one and in their grief tries to find someone to blame, as many of us do, and finds that their loved one has been watching your vids and they decide that the reason their loved one chose a certain product or procedure was because of you and any and all treatments were based on your recommendations. We all know what comes next, they come for you big time and sue you for wrongful death or involuntary manslaughter. (Any lawyer worth his salt would ensure a civil AND criminal case be brought against you and Zak. I assumed that much🤨 but did my due diligence of course and asked a lawyer friend who works in a prestigious firm in Vancouver, but of course I will never name the firm nor my friends name lol Obvious reasons I think😋 And my assumption was correct in the broad strokes of it. Which I can explain in a pm if needed lol) I think you two are so sweet to share your story and that soooo many people are going to benefit from your vids for years to come, and it would an absolute travesty if those things were to come to pass. So I thought about it, not wanting to come across as a bit*h trying to tell you what to do. I am not, I promise. I just can not sit back and say nothing as I watch you walk onto a landmine and lose everything. You have built such a wonderful thing and I didn't want to spend my days thinking "I should have done or said something" It is just not in my nature to stay silent. As you can tell by this book I've written you! 🤣🤷🏻‍♀️ But anyways, I just thought that maybe at the very beginning, taking up maaaaybe 6 seconds, you could flash a disclaimer of some sort? Or say each time "Just so you all know, I am in no way giving medical advice, always consult your doctor before doing anything and these are all just my own opinions and experiences." Or use "we" because hubby is in there too lol And you could record that once then just splice it in to the beginning. I truly hope you don't take this the wrong way, and see it for what it is, genuine concern for your wellbeing and the beautiful thing you have created from a woman who truly admires and respects you. If you feel the need to reach out, my name is pretty unique, and I am Canadian (born here then raised I'm Cali until 12 then back to Canada lol So I am a Duo) I would love to hear from you. Please take care out there in this crazy world. Stay healthy, stay happy and stay safe! 💜💜💯💜💜 Brandice Michelle (Both of my first names, my last is never posted)

[@verogutie1523]

The catheter was the worst I had to have it for about a month when I got this Barbie butt surgery.

[@CC-hz1qm]

Is this hereditary?

[@jrcimini]

There comes a time when surgery is not a choice but a necessary.

[@livjunqueira1131]

Exactly.

[@jrcimini]

necessity

[@dynomite1988]

You said you couldn't do enemas. Don't enemas hurt at the best of time?

[@LetsTalkIBD]

I had an anal stricture due to crohns disease so I couldn't even get a colonoscopy - the camera wouldn't fit

[@dynomite1988]

@@LetsTalkIBD oh okay gotcha

[@shenazpatel8195]

Hello hello hello how are you???

[@OMalley1203]

Why in the heck do people care that you chose to have this surgery? It’s not their butt.