I have not posted in a while but I had successful ostomy reversal surgery. I really did not have many problems from the surgery. Praise the Lord Jesus Christ, I no longer have an ostomy bag! I was so sick from various infections I almost died three times. I am over 6 feet tall and I got down to 160 lbs and was bony. Through a high protein diet and exercise, I now weigh 205 lbs and I am muscular. I feel great! Almost dying was good for me because it led me to the Catholic Church and the Lord Jesus Christ. If you are Catholic and have an ostomy, offer your suffering to Jesus Christ. My time with an ostomy was like purgatory. I pray that all of you are blessed with the strength to carry on.
WingChunjeff
Nov 04, 2019 4:21 pm
Bagface
Nov 04, 2019 9:04 pm
WingChunjeff - I'm happy for you! I'm also a reversal surgery success story and am thankful every day!
MeetAnOstoMate is a remarkable community of 41,403 members.
“I found real people, real humor, and answers I couldn’t get anywhere else.”
“The support here impressed my husband’s medical team - they plan to recommend it.”
“This community saved me when I thought I was a freak. Now I’m thriving.”
“Thank god for this site - I finally knew what to ask my surgeon.”
Posted by: Primeboy
Hi Mike and all. I am not sure how panoramic my perspective really is as my peripheral vision shrinks with each passing year. I can tell you that when I came to this website six years ago I was truly ;impressed by the positive attitudes of so many members, especially the younger folks who refused to let their ostomies define who they were or what they would become. I also came to appreciate that having an ostomy is not the same thing as having a disease. Pardon ;my pun now, but ostomies and cancer don't belong in the same bag. One is a solution, the other is a problem. Celebrating National Ostomy Day ;is also well outside my comfort zone. That's like celebrating National Wheel Chair Day. Come on!
I think there is a ;need for improved ;public awareness of ostomies, but I am not sure how that's best done. There ;remains ;some social stigma attached to our situation, and it's acutely felt among our young. We need to get out of the dark ages on this issue, but not by going 'in your face' to everyone else. I think Bill and NDY are 'spot-on' when it comes to telegraphing the right message to friends and family. People will know how to react when they ;see ;how we accept the cards we were dealt. I also appreciate the contribution some people here are making to this effort through their publications.
On a personal note, my son has been suffering from ulcerative colitis for years just like I did. I am very concerned because people with UC are at a higher risk for colon cancer. Years ago my GI told me to get annual colonoscopies to be on the safe side. I am glad I did because he eventually found pre-cancerous cells which led to several surgeries and my becoming an ostomate. Since then I have always ;conveyed a positive attitude to ;my son about wearing a bag because it has kept me alive to enjoy many more years with my loved ones. I think he got the message. We both go to the same gastroenterologist in NYC and get scoped on the same day. Father and Son moments!
Someone once wrote that our children are the letters we write to the future.
PB
lovely
Nov 04, 2019 11:45 pm
So glad you are doing well. I am a Christian but not of the Catholic faith. But through Jesus Christ, I have been blessed and helped through a lot of problems. Sometimes I wonder if I were eligible for a reversal, if I would choose to or not. I am glad it worked out well for you. I have read some people had a really hard time with it. I guess a lot depends on the person.
Advertisement
Hollister
Skin barrier extenders are ostomy accessories that can help your skin barrier fit better and last longer.
Learn all about skin barrier extenders.
Learn all about skin barrier extenders.
My Ostomy Journey: LeeAnne | Hollister
csteven
Nov 11, 2019 8:06 am
Jeff, great news both on the op and your faith. I'm Catholic and had my reversal in September. It went well and I'm mostly back to normal. I had read horror stories from others and almost didn't do it. Although this past year was tough fighting rectal cancer, it brought me closer to God and made me appreciate what a great life I have had.
Now I want to use my remaining time to lead a positive, giving life devoted to His glory and to serve the less fortunate.