I have been on these forums for one year now. My stoma re-location happened a year ago tomorrow. I can't believe it's been a year. It was when I got my re-location that I was finally able to wear a bag. I got my first stoma on Jan. 1, 2022. And from then until March 30, 2023 I was not able to wear a bag due to the location of the stoma. I don't blame the doctor for placing my stoma in such a bad spot, it was emergency surgery and life or death situation. She didn't have time to measure or mark out the right place for a stoma. But if you can imagine my situation for a year not able to wear a bag. My skin was totally eaten up and I just had to wear a diaper around my waste and do the bed I could to survive. I was on heavy pain killers for most of that time due to the pain of my skin being eaten up. I was planning a reversal up until 2 weeks before my re-location surgery. I met with the doctor for what was to be a pre-op appointment and she came in the room and said "I'm sorry but there is no chance of a reversal, there isn't enough colon to re-attach." I was so upset, why hadn't she told me this months ago when she had said I could have a reversal. I mean I was planning and planning and so excited. Then just 2 weeks before the surgery she dropped a bomb on me. She basically said all she could do was re-locate my stoma so that I could wear a bag. And so she did that on March 30. 2023. And for the first time I was able to wear a bag. It was a whole new experience. I can't complain as it has allowed me to return to the world of the living. I can go outside my house, go to the store, go to the park, go out and enjoy my life virtually pain free. I wish I had been able to have a reversal but since I can't I will just have to go on living with a bag. So anyway, I was just reflecting on the fact that it's been a year since I came here. Everyone has been great. I couldn't ask for a nicer bunch of people. You are all helpful and supportive and often funny and uplifting. Thanks for letting me be a part of this.
Lee