Mpstr:
Why are you focusing on one woman's narrative without a colon as predictive of your husband's life trajectory?
Personally, I have been without a large intestine for 6 years and have suffered no ill effects by its departure.
I see no direct correlation to the woman's narrative that you cite and the loss of her colon. Her various food allergies and immune deficiencies may or may not be related to her colon resection.
The point being: One woman's narrative is not sufficient to prove a cause and effect relationship.
The large intestine functions mainly as a storage site for digested food material as it makes it way for exiting the body. Absobrion of water and providing a bacterial biocosim are the principle functional roles of the colon.
People with Chron's disease and ulcerative colitis are candidates for complete colon resections. And the majority of them are by far happier and healthier without their inflamed and diseased colons.
For all of the health challenges that I have faced, the resection of my colon has not caused me any additional health problems.
In the early months post resection, dehydration was an issue. I encourage you to consider CeraLyte electrolyte packets. CeraLyte offers rehydrating solutions specific for those with ileostomies. The CeraLyte home web-page provides in depth information about their electrolyte replacements.
Vitamin B 12 supplementation is necessary for anyone who has loss of the distal ileum. I take a sublingual B 12 supplement.
I would not worry excessively about the possible upcoming loss of your husband's large intestine. You can "talk" to people who are living full and engaging lives without colons on the UOAA support forum. Even if your husband has an ileoanal anastamoais, you can "talk" to other people who have had complete resection of their large intestine by visiting the UOAA support forum. UOAA = United Ostomy Association of America.
http://www.uoaa.orgI do not miss my colon at all.
Karen
Dear friend to Bella Piazza, former Colon Club member (NWGirl).
I have a permanent ileostomy and offer advice on living with an ostomy - in loving remembrance of Bella
I am on Palliative Care for broad endocrine failure + Addison's disease + osteonecrosis of both hips/jaw + immunosuppression. I live a simple life due to frail health.