Post-Surgery Complications with My Stoma: Need Advice

I had surgery on the 23rd of June. It went badly after popping another parastomal hernia the day after having the others repaired. Since the surgery, I have had sharp stinging pain around the base of my stoma, a weeping sinus opened up, and I have an extremely sore lump on my abdomen that feels like it may turn into another weeping sinus. Right then, my surgeon is away until the 27th of August, and I really need to get it checked urgently. Do I: A, see my GP who really doesn't have much of a clue about stomas; B, go to the emergency and have them assess it even though I hate taking up their time; or C, wait until my surgeon returns? I haven't got a clue what to do at the moment.

I don't know how your ERs are in the hospital, but I would go to the GP. He/she may not know much, but should be able to refer you to someone who does and in a short time. It is better than sitting for an eternity in the ER only to be seen by a non-specialist who is just an ER physician anyway.

Hi Gus - recently, when I was hemorrhaging from my stoma and my surgeon was unavailable, I finally went to the ER. They admitted me right away when I told them the story (plus I was pale from so much blood loss). Well, my PCP ended up taking care of me anyway in the hospital, and he did an excellent job - and I didn't think he had a clue about stomas either! So go for whatever will help you more quickly! And I'm sorry you are having such a hard time after surgery
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Hey Gus
got no help to offer you, just want you to know I have my fingers crossed you get through this quickly
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I would have to agree; sometimes, if you wait too long, you can make things worse, and if they tell you to wait, it's on them, and then you can open a whole can of whoop-ass.

My Ostomy Journey: Ryan | Hollister

I know my GP has no clue whatsoever about stomas - at least if you go to the ER, they will put you in touch with a surgical team - might not be your own, but they may be able to point you in the right direction. Sounds horrible, so best of luck in getting it dealt with, Gus.
Rach xxx

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Do you have a stoma nurse? My stoma nurse was so good; any problems and I went to her or my specialist, but the STN was so much help in getting me an appointment in the outpatients clinic and also in a public hospital here in Australia. So I would contact my STN. Hope this helps. mooza
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I would have been in the ER by now. I cannot say it any plainer, Gus. You need help! Go for it.

Well, I'm not religious in any way and have no time for formal religions as such. Yet, a lovely Muslim lady in my Chemistry class at Uni put it into a nice perspective. What we suffer here on earth helps to make what's called heaven. Sort of, we do bad, we get sick, kind of cancels out any nastiness we may have done. The only problem is I can't remember when I was so friggin' bad, lol, but if you were inclined to believe in such things, it would give someone hope of better things. As for me, I'll just suffer along, hoping my passage through life helps someone else and makes their lives richer for it.

I sometimes think the same thing - why me? What on earth have I done to deserve all this?

I was once told that in a previous life I wasn't a very nice person and was murdered - apparently from the Bristol, UK area and to do with money - possibly shipping/slavery. I really don't know whether or not I believe in all that stuff - but if that is the case... I am sorry, but that isn't me!
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Hi Gus and everyone else,

You all help so much just by sharing what you are going through — thanks!

We can all forget that mumbo jumbo about past lives and doing something wrong so we are being punished. I am religious as a Catholic and I have studied other forms of religion and have never come across anything like that. It may be hereditary or a man-made thing that causes some of our problems, but not something a human thinks a god did to us. I have done things I am not proud of, but my grandmother also had what I have, and I can say without a doubt she never did anything to deserve colon problems. Now I am upset that someone would tell Gus or lottagelady something like that. Those kinds of people should keep their thoughts to themselves and pray their god did not hear them. Rant, rant, rave, rant, rant, rave. Okay, I am now done ranting and raving. So, it is some nice weather we are having, isn't it.

Aww .... bless you Swiffer xxxxxxxxxxxx

You said it, Swiffer - my sentiments exactly about religious kooks who want to blame the suffering person for bad past deeds.  Mormons tried to tell me I gave myself cancer.  The examples I always think of are Christopher Reeve and his wife.  They were two of the greatest folks on the planet.  And anyway, if you were bad in a past life you come back as a newt or a toad or something, right?  
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And gus, it's time to get this taken care of, since it's Friday down there...if any more time goes by you will have to go the ER!  Decision made!     
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Pinky, I am sorry that any cult religion told you anything, and I believe, as you Mormons are a non-Christian religion, they read out of a book that was written by a man named Joseph Smith who studied through glass and was killed in Illinois. Also, he and his father were Shriners. They believe Jesus and Satan are spiritual brothers. I don't care who practices this, but it isn't something a Christian needs to believe, not one who only goes by the word of God. Sorry to upset you about Christopher Reeves, but he was a Scientologist, and they don't believe in any god. I know a lot about theology as it is something I did study. I thought he was a good person. I also like Travolta, but he is also a Scientologist, and several in Hollywood believe in UFOs and deeper, and not psychiatrists for any reason, but plastic surgery is just fine for them. Pinky, just go by the Christian Bible and love the Lord and be kind to people like you are; you are such a good person. I think the world of you, and it means so much to me when you are good to my friend Jojo, who is also a lot stronger than I could ever be. Thank you for being so kind to so many, Pinky. Like Swiffer, the Lord knows your hearts and how kind you are. If you want to know about Reeves and his Scientology life, just Google "Scientology" and put in "Hollywood people," and his name will come up, and some that might shock you. God bless you, Pinky. Son is coming in on the plane in a bit. Love, Jenny
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Swiffer,
You are a welcome addition to this site. I love hearing and reading your words and can feel your sarcasm at times, and the input is dead on. Keep it coming...Michael

Now, I didn't mean for you lot to go off like 2 bob watches about religious themes and such. I was just saying that it would be nice to know that some things we suffer get us to a better place, whatever you want to call it. Anyway, this thread is about me, me, me, lmao, and don't you forget it. My second sinus burst tonight, with stuff and shrapnel flying everywhere. Well, maybe not that, but some really funky colored liquid. Anyway, my Mrs. has said if it looks worse in the morning, she is taking me to the hospital to get it checked, phew, another decision I don't have to make, lol. Thank you all for your kind words and anti-whatever ramblings, it's kind of fun watching a post go way off topic even if it is about me
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Gus, it is called hijacking the thread.
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Sorry about that. To get back to you, I hope you have decided to go and get checked out. Like most have said, these things seem to get out of control fast. I know from some motorcycle sites I am on, you Aussies are tough and don't want anyone to do anything for you that you cannot do yourself, but this is a bit different. You've got to get the hospital to look inside you for the answers. Not surgery, I mean non-invasive tests. Of course, that is just this man's opinion, and my kids would tell you I am not always right.

Gus,

You are right, this thread was hijacked.
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LMAO... You obviously touched a nerve in many.

Back to you now, get yourself checked and fixed. I hear all the issues and get concerned... we must be our own advocate, as the doctors will, in my opinion, let us wither away if we just listened to them. So stay positive and active in your own recovery. Will be thinking of you... Michael

I'm another who doesn't have a clue about the medical system in Australia ... but my vote is for the ER. Hope you're there already, Gus.

Thinking of you,
Beatrice

Well, I'm not at the hospital yet. I have found some little dressing things to cover my holes and the pain is good today. As Swifter said, we bikers here are a tough breed and I will get it sorted. I just have an assignment to finish today for ancient history, then study for a chem exam in a week's time. I'm not a saint. I am farther from being one than most. My aim in life is to pass through it and leave an indelible mark on this world in people's lives that makes them feel better about themselves. My pain and illness is neither here nor there. I felt the need to vent it and get some advice, and thank you all for it.

I think there are a few here who remember my tirade against a rude and indecent person making lewd comments, and my response to that person was swift, sharp, and extremely colorful. So my sainthood is in tatters, but I don't care. I will always defend the least strong, the decent, the ill and the infirm. I would lay my life down for my wife and family, and I will attack and destroy anyone that hurts anyone close to me. But I am understanding of anyone suffering, as you can see, and I will try and make their lives more enjoyable even if I can't do anything else.

So that said, I am me, and if peeps don't like me, then they can go annoy someone else. Me, I'll just annoy the crap out of everyone hehehe.

Oh yes - our Gus is definitely sounding not so bad today!

Glad to hear it, mate xxxxx
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....

Thought I was off to the ER earlier for one of my 'malfunctioning ileostomy' trips - but doubled my dose of Buscopan and Metaclopramide and, touch wood, it has settled down... will see if it gets me through the night!

If we all get to some sort of afterlife, does that mean we will not have stomas?

Presumably not if I come back as a slug!
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Or a cockroach would be funny seeing one dragging a bag around hehehe.

Think if I had a choice, I would come back as my Basset Hound. That's the life! xxx

This has been one of the best posts in a long time...even if it was hi-jacked from you, Gus.  As for me, I like you...I like your straightforward approach.  I like Swiffer's sense of humor and photos of frogs legs.  I like beyondpar's unfailing optimism.  I like Rach's sweetness and light.  I like  Jenny's stream of consciousness writing.  I liked Mike's comment on the afterlife.

There, that should provide me with enough good karma for the day, that should I die, I won't come back as a slug with a colostomy.  
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Gus, glad to hear you are hanging in there and that your wife is keeping a close eye.     
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Okay, if by a slim chance—I am just saying—we do come back, I want to be a little fluffy rabbit so you gals will snuggle me.
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Might as well dream good dreams. Oh, and Gus, I hope you are better today.

Swiffer, I want to come back as Cupid and shoot you all in the ass to show you guy's the women are lonely also.  Heck geoff found someone after Posting his Romeo site here and he met someone in another place.  But my friend tine would of talked to him, Swiffer women arent looking for Rock Hudson, we are looking for Honesty and Kindness and you have those qualities, I think you would get more hit's on a dating Post than geoff did, I like the guy but you have shown more character and kindness on here than most.  So I think you would get some good hit's and since you ride like the wind maybe you could meet someone with an Ostomy that is in the US and ride your days together as you age and get better as I am planning to do.  Good Luck Swiffer but please dont come back as a Bunny and yea they are cute, but stink like heck, plus they shit more than we do, Love always Jenny
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PS.  If it dont work out then you can blame me, it was my Idea, cause your a Lovely man.

There you go again, Jenny, wanting to shoot us guys in the ass, LMAO
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.

We will never be perfect, us guys, but wanting to shoot us in the ass? LOL

...I think when we all can figure it out, that we are all sooooooo imperfect, yet good, sooooooo unable to really communicate our thoughts correctly and have them be received in the way they were intended but trying all the way, the sooner we all will realize that time is fleeting and going ever so fast and the sooner we can get back to being the loving creatures we are destined to be from birth.

Funny for me, but the stoma has shown me this... Go figure... That which I thought and fought for 24 years not to get, has helped me in more ways than anyone will ever know.

Anyway, just another hijacked thread off on a tangent... couldn't help it. Sorry Gus. This was your thread... Hey, and thanks to all the birthday wishes I received this past week... Love, Michael