Patient Testimonials
Center for Intestinal Continence
St. Anthony's Hospital, Professional Office Building
1201 Fifth Ave. N., Suite 408
St. Petersburg, FL 33705
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Some of our patients have shared their success stories with us.
 There is life after ostomy surgery, The BCIR has changed my life and made me a much happier individual. I can really be me! My true desire was to always make a difference in the lives of others and to help everyone I could to realize that they have a choice and the option of a BCIR is really a great one. I think this surgery goes a long way to making that a reality. I am a strong advocate for choice and getting the best quality of life that is possible. Life is so short that we should take advantage of every opportunity to improve the quality of it and to live as happily and care free as possible. I want to help everyone out there to realize that they can have this chance.
Vickie S. White, BCIR
I had Ulcerative Colitis for nearly 30 years. For the last two years, it was necessary for me to be within eyeshot of a bathroom at all times which severely hindered both my social and daily life. The urgency and frequency was increasing day by day and none of the medicines I was taking seemed to make things better. When it became too unbearable for me to deal with the threat of cancer looming over my head, I finally brought myself to have a long delayed colonoscopy, the doctor found that my entire colon was riddled with dysplasia and polyps. All I could think about was cancer...cancer that had just taken my dad a month before might take me now. My gastroenterologist referred me to Dr. Shore and once he took a look at my colonoscopy results, he wanted to get me into surgery as soon as possible to have a J-Pouch procedure done. We scheduled the surgery two weeks out and that's when everything changed for me.
I did a lot of research before surgery. I joined some message boards and asked hundreds of questions to set my mind at ease. The surgery went pretty well....things did hurt quite a bit for awhile, but that is to be expected and pain relief was generally just a push-button away. The nurses and staff at St Anthony's were all terrific and made things as comfortable as possible for me during my stay. Once I was discharged and things began to subside though, and I had to start getting used to having an appliance (Which was not something I was really looking forward to). With some instruction from my stoma nurses, I managed to catch on pretty quick, and was able to change my bag in record time after being home the first week. I was eating well, and was only taking a few meds to keep things in check but most of all, there was no more of that familiar pain from colitis! Sure, there was still some tenderness from surgery, but I couldn't get over the fact that my stomach didn't hurt like it did before. No more cramping, no more aches, nothing. It was surreal to NOT have the pain that I had to deal with most of my life. I did have to wear my appliance for 8 weeks before I was eligible to have my follow-up surgery to reconnect my pouch. A quick test was done to make sure the pouch looked good and there was no leaking, and I was cleared for step two.
Almost exactly 8 weeks after my first surgery, I was going in for my second one. This one, well...I was looking forward to this operation. No more bag!!! This time things went much smoother and quicker. My appetite wasn't too great at first, but I think part of that was from not being on prednisone any more. A few months later, I was eating whatever I wanted without any repercussions, and I feel better than I can ever remember. I'm also not taking ANY medications! For the first time in nearly 30 years, I'm not having to take pills every day of my life! I'm also about to get married, join a gym and a volleyball league in the spring. All are things I would have NEVER considered doing prior to having the J-Pouch surgery. I only have to use the bathroom 3 or 4 times a day now, and the fact that I don't have to constantly be on the lookout for a toilet while out in public is fantastic. Of course there's always a chance for having some setbacks, and I've had a few to deal with while going through this procedure. But I would do it again in a heartbeat to give me the quality of life that I have now! 
Bill Ninis
St Petersburg, Florida
Ulcerative Colitis since 1979
J-Pouch Procedure 06/18/2007
Reconnect 08/20/2007
I went to St. Anthony's Hospital in April of 2007 to have my BCIR checked. It turned out, I needed a new model. Dr. Gregg Shore built me a new BCIR and I stayed in the hospital for23 days. It was the best hospital that I have ever stayed in and I could not have asked for a better group of nurses! Everybody was very kind and eager to learn something new. I never regretted my decision to have the BCIR built inside me since the first time I had it done in 1991. To me, it was a life saver. I want to thank all the nurses that looked after me and Fran Russell and Dr. Greg Shore for all the help they gave me and the perfect treatment I received while I was in the hospital at the Center for Intestinal Continence unit.
Thank you again,
Arthur (Happy) Newton
Dr. Shore,
I want to thank you again for the wonderful work you performed on me. I no longer have the pain I suffered with for 21/2 years. I will remember you as the "Magic" Man with the healing hands. Tell the nurses at St. Anthony's hospital for all their kindness and care, I thank them. I met some of the Angels among us!
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts,
Judy and Eddie Shuffitt
I was recently a patient at St. Anthony's hospital, after having surgery on the 27th of September, performed by a remarkable surgeon and doctor, Dr. Gregg Shore! I was released from your fine establishment on October 5th, I wouldn't have accomplished what I did without the outstanding job the nurses do to make you feel as comfortable as they can and assist patients with the most upbeat attitude and friendliness. I just hope the rest of the hospital has such a good staff as the Center for Intestinal Continence has! I can't thank the nurses enough, whom they are as follows, Rena Corbitt, L.P.N, Laura R.N., Debbie Brooks, R.N., Shirley L.P.N., Rosalie Conner, Nurse Manager, John PCT and anyone else that I may have forgotten their names. I will be visiting this fine establishment again for my follow up appointment with Dr. Gregg Shore on October 16th. Thank you once again for the pleasant stay at your facility. I will recommend St. Anthony's Hospital to anyone that may need the kind of care that your provide.
Gerald Thomas 10/11/07
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