I am always glad to talk to others who have the same type surgery as me. I had my BCIR done in September '93 at Lutheran Medical Center (now Southpointe). I love it! I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 1990. It was very aggressive. I never could stay in remission. My surgeon was Dr. Gaskin. He was excellent. I've never had any trouble, only a mild case of pouchitis in '98.

I am a shift worker at a paper mill. My job has been very physically demanding at times. You can never adjust to the hours on a swing shift. I wouldn't have been able to continue working there if I'd had any other type surgery. By the way, this is the only type of surgery I've ever had.

I'm 31 years old and I've been married three years. We don't have any kids, yet, but we're trying. I am an animal lover. We have 3 dogs, 2 cats, 2 fish tanks, a salamandar, and a turtle. Quite a zoo.

I talk to people from all over the country about this surgery. I'm very glad to do it because I remember what it was like to have to make a decision about what type surgery to have. It's so scary. It is also scary when it seems that most doctors do not even know very much about this surgery. At least this is the experience that I have had.

I am from Kentucky.

-- Diana Kellogg