Suzanne Lafleur - Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn’s Disease and My JPouch Journey

Managing Return to Work After JPouch Surgery with Chris from Calgary, Canada

Chris, a Westjet Encore pilot from Calgary, Canada, joined me today to talk about his JPouch journey and his return to work after two years at home. He candidly discussed his diagnosis, his surgical journey amid Covid, his mental health throughout his journey, and his return to work. If you would like to share your journey through Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn's Disease, Bowel Cancer, ostomy, or JPouch, please get in touch with me via email at suzannellafleur@gmail.com.

Sleep and Nighttime Accidents with Paul from Scottland

Along with our ostomy or JPouch comes issues with sleep and nighttime accidents. I had the pleasure of speaking with Paul from Scotland regarding his journey and how he has managed life and employment through lack of sleep and nighttime accidents. If you would like to share your journey through gastrointestinal disease with an ostomy or JPouch, please feel free to contact me at suzannellafleur@gmail.com.

My Second JPouch with Amy from New Mexico

Amy, from Albuquerque, New Mexico, shares her story about JPouch surgery in the 1990s and another JPouch surgery in 2018. What a journey! I am thrilled to share this positive and informed woman's journey with you today. If you are facing a second JPouch journey and would like to reach out to Amy, she would be happy to speak with you. You can contact her at aweigpickering@gmail.com. Please help us to continue the conversation about gastrointestinal disease by subscribing and sharing! To share your journey through Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn's Disease, or bowel cancer, you can contact me at suzannellafleur@gmail.com.

Oh Those JPouch Babies - Having Babies with a JPouch or Ileostomy

For young ladies living with gastrointestinal diseases, which might require a JPouch or Ileostomy in the future, there seems to be that looming question, "Am I going to be able to have children?" Steph from Australia and Jennifer from Ohio joined me for a candid conversation about pregnancy and childbirth in all stages of gastrointestinal illness or surgery. If you have any further questions on this topic, please get in touch with me at suzannellafleur@gmail.com.

Advocating for Your Health - You are Worth Every Squeak

Be the squeaky wheel - you are worth every squeak!Nowadays, with health care being so taxed, it isn't easy to be heard sometimes. Being ill gives us one responsibility: educating ourselves about our illness, our bodies, and what we need to stay healthy. No one knows you better than you do, so speak up and be your best advocate!

My Ileostomy - I Named Her Rosie

When I was first told what my surgeries would entail, I knew that having an ileostomy would be the most challenging part of the process for me. After a few reality checks and some conversations with myself, I decided to embrace the knowledge I could absorb from this moment in my life. Since I was to have a stoma for a while, I would learn to take care of it, appreciate it, and become friends with it. So, I named her Rosie.

Surgery #1 - Total Colectomy and Ileostomy

I was in the recovery room when I woke up from this surgery. A nurse sat beside my bed, telling me I needed to keep my clothes on. I remember feeling like my hospital gown was choking me, and I was trying to pull it off. Once they calmed me with more drugs, I reached under the blankets, and there it was. The bag they told me I would wake up with.I was very thankful that I was heavily sedated for the first few days. The pain was manageable, but having a bag ofhanging off my belly was now a reality, and I was not dealing with it well at all.

My JPouch Journey

I have lived with a JPouch for the past 17 years. For those who don't know what a JPouch is, listen on! You will know what it is once I'm done with you today. To my fellow JPouchers, join me in spreading knowledge through open conversation. Please email me at suzannellafleur@gmail.com to share your story.