I'm back

KBUF · February 19th, 2007, 18:36

Hey everyone-

I know I'm not a well known user on this site, but I used to visit and participate in the forums a lot more often. I've stopped coming here so often mainly because I got sick...very sick, and my entire aviation career seemed to have been derailed. Okay...story time (and it does have a few points).

Like many of you, I've dreamed of becoming an airline pilot ever since I can remember, and began flying when I was 16. I got all of my certifictes through CFI and CFII (not MEI, but close) by 19 and landed a job as an instructor at the school I learned at back in March '06. Through the spring and summer, I built up a good student base, and was working like crazy by the summer months. I was half way done with my college degree, and topping 600 hours by mid-July, and working on my MEI...life was good and everything was going better than I had planned. Then it began...

Starting in mid July, I began experiencing abdominal pain that I had felt many times before... At the age of 13, I was diagnosed with a mild form of Ulcerative Colitis...chronic inflammation of the colon (large intestine). There is no cure (except for major surgery), but I was one of the lucky ones because the disease was in remission, and I only experienced symptoms about once per year for a week which include abdominal pain, bloody diarreah, fatigue and dehydration. So came time for my medical certificate when I was ready to solo, and I was delayed for four months because the condition required a special issuance (no biggie in the long run). Throughout my short flying career, I only experienced a few minor flare-ups, so it really didn't hurt anything (I just grounded myself when I had symptoms) until recently...

So this pain I was experiencing in July was just like the beginning any flare-up, so I called my doctor to get my special meds to use to get rid of it... I thought the symptoms would subside by the end of the week. Boy was I wrong! By the first week of August, and two weeks on that medication, the belly pain had become so severe and the diarreah so frequent (20-25 times per day) that I could not leave my house. By August 15th, I found myself in the ER, and was admitted immediatley. For a week I was pumped with IV steroids (anti-inflamitory corticosteroids...not anabolic), fed through an IV for a few days before 'graduating' to a liquid diet and finally solids by the last day. During my stay, a CT scan revealed that the disease had become severe and spread throughout my entire large bowel. After 7 days, I was released, but on my new medication...prednisone. This drug is NOT fun to take...especially the high dose I was on (lots of side effects like weight gain, moon face, acne EVERYWHERE, swollen joints and even mood swings and personality changes). By the last week of August, I was feeling good enough to fly again, only to find out I was not permitted to act as PIC on such a high dose of steroids. So I was out of work and my career on hold a little longer.

By the end of September, I was on a low enough dose of prednisone, so I resumed work, and with some lifestyle and diet changes, I thought I could keep my disease at bay, and I did...for a little while. By mid December, it was a replay of what had happend back in August. I was back in the hospital, and upon release a few days before christmas back on the high dose of prednisone (even more than before) and out of work once again...and I have been ever since. I will return to work in May at the EARLIEST, and possibly never fly as a pilot agian (relativley small chance, but the possibility is there).

So why have I not flown since December? Well, during my second hospitalization, I was thinking about my chance of an airline career and how it would probably never happen now, until I remembered that I had heard that the disease could be cured by surgery. That was it! I had a consult with one of the world's leading gastrointestinal surgeons before leaving the hospital. He described the procedure and possible complications. It involved remomving my entire large intestine and rectum through a large incision down the middle of my abdomen to the pubic bone. Also, a temporary divertin loop ileostomy would be formed. This meant that I would have no control over my bowel movements as a portion of my small intestine was to be sutured to my abdominal wall, protruding to the outside where waste would collect in a bag that I would empty multiple times per day...fun. The final part involved the construction of what is commonly called a j-pouch...the very end of the small bowel would be folded into a j-shape and sutured, a hole cut in the bottom and attatched to the remaining anal sphincter muscles, so I can one day have control over my BMs again...the ileostomy would last about 8 weeks while my new pouch healed. After hearing all this, I was so eager to cure the disease, it didn't take long for me to decide on surgery, and perhaps restore the chance of a more normal life and a career as a pilot. Major life altering decision is an understatement.

So I had the surgery performed on January 5th. It was a 13 hour surgery...and the recovery was absolutley brutal during the first two weeks, and managing my ileostomy is much harder than I expected. But now 6 weeks later I am just about recovered, although weak and 20 pounds lighter, awaiting my next surgery to have the ileostomy taken down, and my bowel continence restored (can't wait!). There is about a 1 percent chance that my j-pouch will fail and I will have to wear an external bag for the rest of my life...which terrifies me, but I am remaining positive. I am even teaching some ground school again.

So what is the point to my story? Well first of all, I had always taken my good health for granted, and didn't realize how important it was until it was stripped from me so fast. If life is getting you down, pay sucks at your job (many of us pilots are familiar with that) or anything, just look at how much you have in just having a clean bill of health (those of you that do). Could it be worse for me? Absolutley...watch some of the stuff on discovery health. So now, with an altered anatomy that will never be quite as good as I had it before my disease got worse, I am more thankful than ever that I don't have somethig more serious.

Second, I now am facing the possibility that an aviation career just might not work out for me because of this. I never expected anything like this to happen, but I may just use that non-aviaiton degree I am working on...GET A NON-AVIATION DEGREE...S!%# DOES happen when you least expect it.

Third, no need to rush into this career. I wanted to get there (right seat)as fast as I could, but with this stopping me (I've even had to take the semester off from school), I've had time to think...lots of time. I've come to the conclusion that there are more important things in life that being a 21 year old RJ jockey...like taking a look around and enjoying the path there and especially your health and family.

Finally, I just wanted to say hi after my departure from the boards...but now, I'm back

falconvalley · February 19th, 2007, 18:45

Welcome back! I'm pulling for ya, man! Don't give up easy, there are lots of success stories out there...

amorris311 · February 19th, 2007, 18:57

get better man. we will all pull for you over here.

I_WANNA_BE_ATP · February 19th, 2007, 19:02

WOW!!! What a story of determination !!!!!

First, Sorry to hear about your medical problems,surgery, and the overall hospital experience.

Second, and most important, glad to hear you are back in the flying world!!! I'm glad you didn't let this bump in the road of life deter you.

My Flight Surgeon · February 19th, 2007, 19:33

Welcome back. See you in the air soon

tprops4me · February 19th, 2007, 20:07

Best of luck to you. You have a great outlook on things. In my 33 years I still have to be reminded to stop, and look around. You figured it out sooner. Thanks for reminding me.

VDEE7 · February 19th, 2007, 20:31

Thanks for sharing the story, Good luck for you.

Kristie · February 19th, 2007, 21:59

WOW! What a story!!

Glad to hear you are on the mend.. we'll be waiting for that annoucement of "I'm BACK in the air!"...sounds like it won't be too long from now!

Aero_Engineer · February 19th, 2007, 22:56

I hope you feel better soon!!

I was on prednisone for my kidney condition for almost a year and gained 50 pounds. I am trying to loose that now and get back to my normal weight.

With the determination you have, everything should be fine!!

pullup · February 20th, 2007, 00:15

Holy crap (pun may/may not have been intended)!

That takes some serious balls to make a decision like that, I really hope it works out for you. Are you teaching at Prior? If so, is Gary cool about the whole thing? Take care!

wheelsup · February 20th, 2007, 00:38

So sometimes I think my life is rough, but then I see posts like yours that really put things in perspective.

There was a pilot that posted on my company board about recovering from cancer not too long ago. He spent over 3 years fighting it - successfully - and is now back in the cockpit.

I know it'll work out!

Doug Taylor · February 20th, 2007, 00:44

Welcome back, bro! Wondering where the heck you went!

EineBeBoP · February 20th, 2007, 07:22

Thats quite a story man, Hope everything works out well for you.

Major surgery is quite a decision, thats really impressive that you went for it though. Good luck!

Beechlover · February 20th, 2007, 08:20

Welcome back KBUF!

My wife and I went through a similiar year long ordeal where she has finally found relief from her constant severe abdominal pain and we just no kidding finally resolved last friday! Began with a misdiagnosis of Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis (EGE). After 4 months of ineffective treatment, we fired our gastroenterologist, moved to florida, and she was re-evaluated at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. They did in 5 days what her previous doctor was unable to do during the 4 months he was 'caring' for her. Not only did they completely disprove his original diagnosis, they discovered that he may have damaged her gastric nerve while removing a large polup in her descending colon. That day she was sent to one of their pain managers and put on a 2 pill a day prescription that has almost completely relieved her pain. For the first time in a year she is able to eat a real meal with no pain. We actually went out to lunch for the first time in 4 months this past weekend. It got so bad that she would go the entire day without eating (for fear of making the pain worse at work, she's a surgical RN), only to come home and have a small bowl of soup and go to bed crying due to the pain.

She is beginnning to regain the 17 pounds she lost over the last 3 months, and we are slowly and cautiously reintroducing real food into our diet. So far so good. We are finally able to think about our life together and all the possibilities (we are newly married)

Dude what you've gone through.., I can only say god bless you man. You've made it this far, with strength like that, you're going to make it all the way! Best wishes, and stay in touch.

GaTechKid · February 20th, 2007, 10:34

I wish you a full recovery KBUF. Hang in there!

KBUF · February 20th, 2007, 12:29

Thanks for the encouragment guys and kristie! I can't wait to fly again.

Aeroengineer...wow, a year on prednisone! I thought four months was bad-take your calcium!! that stuff eats your bones-seriously, and the weight will come off eventually hang in there. I'm trying to gain weight after surgery, but its hard without getting fat because I can't lift weights for so long.

Beechlover...glad your wife is better and congrats on the marrige.

Doug...congrats on the 67, you're my hero

Quote:

Originally Posted by pullup

Holy crap (pun may/may not have been intended)!

That takes some serious balls to make a decision like that, I really hope it works out for you. Are you teaching at Prior? If so, is Gary cool about the whole thing? Take care!

Yup, at Prior...Gary is an awsome boss-he doesn't care how long it takes, he just wants me to take my time recovering and come back to work. I teach some ground here and there now.

Sidious · February 20th, 2007, 16:11

Rock on man! You really hit it home when you said to look at life and be thankfull for your health. Im pulling for you, so Ill see you in the air

Tim · February 20th, 2007, 16:14

My wife took the predisone when she was pregnant with my son. The doc said she was having a reaction to her amniotic (sp) fluid. The biggest side effect she had was the enamel on her teeth was disapating.
I had the same thing happen to me about 3 years ago but luckily for me I havent had any flair ups since the hospital. I just have to watch what I eat and limit the amount of salads. Ruffage is no good for me.......good luck on recovery

February 19th, 2007, 18:36	#1
KBUF Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 213	I'm back Hey everyone- I know I'm not a well known user on this site, but I used to visit and participate in the forums a lot more often. I've stopped coming here so often mainly because I got sick...very sick, and my entire aviation career seemed to have been derailed. Okay...story time (and it does have a few points). Like many of you, I've dreamed of becoming an airline pilot ever since I can remember, and began flying when I was 16. I got all of my certifictes through CFI and CFII (not MEI, but close) by 19 and landed a job as an instructor at the school I learned at back in March '06. Through the spring and summer, I built up a good student base, and was working like crazy by the summer months. I was half way done with my college degree, and topping 600 hours by mid-July, and working on my MEI...life was good and everything was going better than I had planned. Then it began... Starting in mid July, I began experiencing abdominal pain that I had felt many times before... At the age of 13, I was diagnosed with a mild form of Ulcerative Colitis...chronic inflammation of the colon (large intestine). There is no cure (except for major surgery), but I was one of the lucky ones because the disease was in remission, and I only experienced symptoms about once per year for a week which include abdominal pain, bloody diarreah, fatigue and dehydration. So came time for my medical certificate when I was ready to solo, and I was delayed for four months because the condition required a special issuance (no biggie in the long run). Throughout my short flying career, I only experienced a few minor flare-ups, so it really didn't hurt anything (I just grounded myself when I had symptoms) until recently... So this pain I was experiencing in July was just like the beginning any flare-up, so I called my doctor to get my special meds to use to get rid of it... I thought the symptoms would subside by the end of the week. Boy was I wrong! By the first week of August, and two weeks on that medication, the belly pain had become so severe and the diarreah so frequent (20-25 times per day) that I could not leave my house. By August 15th, I found myself in the ER, and was admitted immediatley. For a week I was pumped with IV steroids (anti-inflamitory corticosteroids...not anabolic), fed through an IV for a few days before 'graduating' to a liquid diet and finally solids by the last day. During my stay, a CT scan revealed that the disease had become severe and spread throughout my entire large bowel. After 7 days, I was released, but on my new medication...prednisone. This drug is NOT fun to take...especially the high dose I was on (lots of side effects like weight gain, moon face, acne EVERYWHERE, swollen joints and even mood swings and personality changes). By the last week of August, I was feeling good enough to fly again, only to find out I was not permitted to act as PIC on such a high dose of steroids. So I was out of work and my career on hold a little longer. By the end of September, I was on a low enough dose of prednisone, so I resumed work, and with some lifestyle and diet changes, I thought I could keep my disease at bay, and I did...for a little while. By mid December, it was a replay of what had happend back in August. I was back in the hospital, and upon release a few days before christmas back on the high dose of prednisone (even more than before) and out of work once again...and I have been ever since. I will return to work in May at the EARLIEST, and possibly never fly as a pilot agian (relativley small chance, but the possibility is there). So why have I not flown since December? Well, during my second hospitalization, I was thinking about my chance of an airline career and how it would probably never happen now, until I remembered that I had heard that the disease could be cured by surgery. That was it! I had a consult with one of the world's leading gastrointestinal surgeons before leaving the hospital. He described the procedure and possible complications. It involved remomving my entire large intestine and rectum through a large incision down the middle of my abdomen to the pubic bone. Also, a temporary divertin loop ileostomy would be formed. This meant that I would have no control over my bowel movements as a portion of my small intestine was to be sutured to my abdominal wall, protruding to the outside where waste would collect in a bag that I would empty multiple times per day...fun. The final part involved the construction of what is commonly called a j-pouch...the very end of the small bowel would be folded into a j-shape and sutured, a hole cut in the bottom and attatched to the remaining anal sphincter muscles, so I can one day have control over my BMs again...the ileostomy would last about 8 weeks while my new pouch healed. After hearing all this, I was so eager to cure the disease, it didn't take long for me to decide on surgery, and perhaps restore the chance of a more normal life and a career as a pilot. Major life altering decision is an understatement. So I had the surgery performed on January 5th. It was a 13 hour surgery...and the recovery was absolutley brutal during the first two weeks, and managing my ileostomy is much harder than I expected. But now 6 weeks later I am just about recovered, although weak and 20 pounds lighter, awaiting my next surgery to have the ileostomy taken down, and my bowel continence restored (can't wait!). There is about a 1 percent chance that my j-pouch will fail and I will have to wear an external bag for the rest of my life...which terrifies me, but I am remaining positive. I am even teaching some ground school again. So what is the point to my story? Well first of all, I had always taken my good health for granted, and didn't realize how important it was until it was stripped from me so fast. If life is getting you down, pay sucks at your job (many of us pilots are familiar with that) or anything, just look at how much you have in just having a clean bill of health (those of you that do). Could it be worse for me? Absolutley...watch some of the stuff on discovery health. So now, with an altered anatomy that will never be quite as good as I had it before my disease got worse, I am more thankful than ever that I don't have somethig more serious. Second, I now am facing the possibility that an aviation career just might not work out for me because of this. I never expected anything like this to happen, but I may just use that non-aviaiton degree I am working on...GET A NON-AVIATION DEGREE...S!%# DOES happen when you least expect it. Third, no need to rush into this career. I wanted to get there (right seat)as fast as I could, but with this stopping me (I've even had to take the semester off from school), I've had time to think...lots of time. I've come to the conclusion that there are more important things in life that being a 21 year old RJ jockey...like taking a look around and enjoying the path there and especially your health and family. Finally, I just wanted to say hi after my departure from the boards...but now, I'm back __________________ Patrick

February 19th, 2007, 18:45	#2
falconvalley Old Skool Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: KMKE Posts: 1,924	Re: I'm back Welcome back! I'm pulling for ya, man! Don't give up easy, there are lots of success stories out there... __________________ British Airways flight asks for push back clearance from terminal. Control Tower replies: "And where is the world's most experienced airline going today without filing a flight plan?"

February 19th, 2007, 18:57	#3
amorris311 Old Skool Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Los Angeles soon to be phx Posts: 2,471	Re: I'm back get better man. we will all pull for you over here.

February 19th, 2007, 19:02	#4
I_WANNA_BE_ATP Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: 3rd Rock From the Sun Posts: 841	Re: I'm back WOW!!! What a story of determination !!!!! First, Sorry to hear about your medical problems,surgery, and the overall hospital experience. Second, and most important, glad to hear you are back in the flying world!!! I'm glad you didn't let this bump in the road of life deter you. __________________ Nolite Te Bastasdes Carborundrum !!!!!

February 19th, 2007, 19:33	#5
My Flight Surgeon Sr. Aviation Medical Examiner Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 2,130	Re: I'm back Welcome back. See you in the air soon __________________ Walter Forred, MD PHX 602-368-5633 www.myflightsurgeon.com

February 19th, 2007, 20:07	#6
tprops4me Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: West Michigan Posts: 346	Re: I'm back Best of luck to you. You have a great outlook on things. In my 33 years I still have to be reminded to stop, and look around. You figured it out sooner. Thanks for reminding me.

February 19th, 2007, 20:31	#7
VDEE7 Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: FL Posts: 115	Re: I'm back Thanks for sharing the story, Good luck for you.

February 19th, 2007, 21:59	#8
Kristie Big Chief's Woman Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Scottsdale, Arizona Posts: 17,706 Blog Entries: 3	Re: I'm back WOW! What a story!! Glad to hear you are on the mend.. we'll be waiting for that annoucement of "I'm BACK in the air!"...sounds like it won't be too long from now! __________________ Wife of a Delta B767 ER F/O jetgirls.net

February 19th, 2007, 22:56	#9
Aero_Engineer Old Skool Join Date: May 2005 Location: California, USA Posts: 2,033	Re: I'm back I hope you feel better soon!! I was on prednisone for my kidney condition for almost a year and gained 50 pounds. I am trying to loose that now and get back to my normal weight. With the determination you have, everything should be fine!!

February 20th, 2007, 00:38	#11
wheelsup Old Skool Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: _ Posts: 5,182	Re: I'm back So sometimes I think my life is rough, but then I see posts like yours that really put things in perspective. There was a pilot that posted on my company board about recovering from cancer not too long ago. He spent over 3 years fighting it - successfully - and is now back in the cockpit. I know it'll work out! __________________ "It takes just as much time to be nice to someone as it does to be a jerk."

February 20th, 2007, 00:44	#12
Doug Taylor Agent Smith Join Date: Dec 1969 Location: KSDL Posts: 39,827 Blog Entries: 1	Re: I'm back Welcome back, bro! Wondering where the heck you went! __________________ Doug Taylor http://76school.flyblog.com (old!) http://30west.flyblog.com (updated 11/28)

February 20th, 2007, 07:22	#13
EineBeBoP Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA (KVNY) Posts: 366	Re: I'm back Thats quite a story man, Hope everything works out well for you. Major surgery is quite a decision, thats really impressive that you went for it though. Good luck! __________________

February 20th, 2007, 08:20	#14
Beechlover Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Flyin with my Sweetie!!! Posts: 259	Re: I'm back Welcome back KBUF! My wife and I went through a similiar year long ordeal where she has finally found relief from her constant severe abdominal pain and we just no kidding finally resolved last friday! Began with a misdiagnosis of Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis (EGE). After 4 months of ineffective treatment, we fired our gastroenterologist, moved to florida, and she was re-evaluated at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. They did in 5 days what her previous doctor was unable to do during the 4 months he was 'caring' for her. Not only did they completely disprove his original diagnosis, they discovered that he may have damaged her gastric nerve while removing a large polup in her descending colon. That day she was sent to one of their pain managers and put on a 2 pill a day prescription that has almost completely relieved her pain. For the first time in a year she is able to eat a real meal with no pain. We actually went out to lunch for the first time in 4 months this past weekend. It got so bad that she would go the entire day without eating (for fear of making the pain worse at work, she's a surgical RN), only to come home and have a small bowl of soup and go to bed crying due to the pain. She is beginnning to regain the 17 pounds she lost over the last 3 months, and we are slowly and cautiously reintroducing real food into our diet. So far so good. We are finally able to think about our life together and all the possibilities (we are newly married) Dude what you've gone through.., I can only say god bless you man. You've made it this far, with strength like that, you're going to make it all the way! Best wishes, and stay in touch. __________________ Life is Good! Do what you love, love what you do!

February 20th, 2007, 10:34	#15
GaTechKid Old Skool Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Frigid NWA Hub Posts: 1,882	Re: I'm back I wish you a full recovery KBUF. Hang in there! __________________ "I'd rather screw my way around the country then blow my way around..." - Saab 340 Driver

February 20th, 2007, 16:11	#17
Sidious Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Titusville Posts: 367	Re: I'm back Rock on man! You really hit it home when you said to look at life and be thankfull for your health. Im pulling for you, so Ill see you in the air

February 20th, 2007, 16:14	#18
Tim Old Skool Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Atlanta Posts: 2,205	Re: I'm back My wife took the predisone when she was pregnant with my son. The doc said she was having a reaction to her amniotic (sp) fluid. The biggest side effect she had was the enamel on her teeth was disapating. I had the same thing happen to me about 3 years ago but luckily for me I havent had any flair ups since the hospital. I just have to watch what I eat and limit the amount of salads. Ruffage is no good for me.......good luck on recovery __________________ Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turn skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.----- Leonardo Da Vinci

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