I had some complications too, but I guess it hasn't been as bad as yours. I had bad nausea for ~1-2 months and had 4 blockages in a pretty short timeframe and blockage pain is probably the worst pain I've ever felt (even worse than pain after surgery; pain medications are generally pretty ineffective on me). Plus problems with the bags etc.

A few days ago the one year mark dropped for me. Life is just as same as it was before I had UC. Yesterday I went cycling, sunbathed on the beach, swam in the lake, had sauna in the evening.

I'm just giving my perspective of having to life with an ostomy. I can't get a pouch, but I don't really care for it either. It's not like it will change my life in any meaningful way. So even if I had the choice, I would stick with my ostomy. Of course you will have time until January to figure out how life is with an ostomy and I think in that timeframe you will have enough perspective to make a good decision. But don't put the ostomy down just because you have the option of getting the pouch.