Living with a Severe Stomach Wound and Seeking Support

have hugh stomach wound, size of football, very little or no muscles, mis-shapened - ugh!  As well as stoma/fistual...get down quiteabit because i cannot do physcial things, i live by myself and am containly draining osty day/night.  need friends to chat w.  there is noway i can get reversal as stomach has thin skin now on it no muscles, its so ugly.  if only my doctor had given me a coloscopy test, i am sure this would not have happened.  4mos in hospital, 6 surgeries, 3wk coma, heart stopped on table.  can i take her to court for negligence?

I'm sorry that you went through all that.  It is hard to prove that the Doctor was negligent. You probably should consult with another doctor and see if there is anything that can be done to repair the damage. Best of luck to you!!! Keeping a happy thought for you.  Dani

thank you, like noted, feeling miserable today...comes/goes

I was three months in the hospital so I understand! Had 5 surgeries in 4 yrs. It will get easier, I promise!  Give yourself time to adjust! Resversals don't always work.  I had a reversal, only to have my bowels rupture again 6 months later.

I know what you are felling. I spent 3 monnths away from home. Two weeks in entensive care which I don't remember and 2 more weeks on a ward, thrn rehab hospital.  Before the op suffered from diarra about a month and then profarated colon. My age, arthritis and weakend condition has been fun. I still have a open wound on my stomach even after 8 months which I bandage every day on my own. one thing I was told on the ward was to wear a stomach belt to help the stomach muscules, had to cut a hole in it so that the bage hangs out. I am indepent as I live alone with visits sometimes from grand kids or family. I get around on a mobilty scooter. I hope that you know you are not alone and you have freinds here to talk to. Usually I just read and don't answer but I know how you feel.

Stories of Living Life to the Fullest from Ostomy Advocates I Hollister

Hey hunny
  fully understand your sadness you had a hard time ,but can tell your a fighter and things can only get better.
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  If you ever see me on site plz give me a hoy
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  id love to chat .
all the best for now     Jojo

Medical negligence can only be proven if the physician knowingly, willingly, set out to cause you harm. I do understand your anger and frustration, yet listen to fellow ostomates who are telling you that it will get better. Time has a way of healing. Work to get through today,  one day at a time, if need be, one hour at a time. Get connected to a network of ostomates and discuss solutions. I know that when I was first injured, all I talked about was what happened to me. Those around me began to retreat as they did not know what to do, they couldn't help me and felt worse every time I told them my story. Don't get me wrong, it is important to tell your story for this is the way we cope initially, just be careful not to drive away friends and family inadvertently.
John H. RN Enterostomal Therapist

HI   JUST REMEMBER DR'S ARE'NT GODS. AND SOMETIMES THINGS JUST DON'T GO RIGHT FOR THEM EITHER.



SOMETIMES IT'S OUR BODIES THAT DEFY ANY ATTEMPTS AT HEALING.EVEN THE BEST DR'S CAN'T ALWAYS  PREDICT WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN.  I HAD A BLOCKAGE IN THE SIGOID COLON. AND JUST AS THEY WERE FINISHING UP  THERE WAS A SPILL INTO MY ABDOMIN OF ALL THE FECAL STOOLS THAT HAD BEEN BLOCKED THEN I HAD MASSIVEV  DOSES OF ANTBIOTICS.  BUT THANKS TO GREAT CARE BY THE STAFF AND DR'S AT THE FOOTHILLS HOSPITAL. I SURVIVED AND AM NOW STARTING TO GET A HANDLE ON LIFE AGAIN.. DON'T EVER GIVE UP
LYNN

You've taken the first step--you need to talk to people who know what you are going through. I was in your spot until I found these ostomate forums.  I have a ileu and a colonostomy, mine was the result of a Kugel mesh.  The thing literally tore holes thru my abdominal walls and my intestines.  I have no chance of a reversal.  

Its hard for you to believe--I know--but it will improve over time.  All you can do now, is tough it out.  Unless you have photos, don't even try to explain to lay people--they don't understand and really don't mean to be mean.  If you have photos, by all means have some fun with them.  I did--it soothed some of my worse impulses to show the doubters what a 4 inch wide fistula looked like.  Thankfully, I've grown past that but I am glad of the photos.  My lawyer was delighted with them.

You have access to a computer--use it--it is my lifeline.

I must respectifully disagree with our nurse's opinion here.

In law, malpractice is a type of negligence in, which the professional under a duty to act, fails to follow generally accepted professional standards, and that breach of duty is the proximate cause of injury to a plaintiff who suffers harm.

"Intent" has nothing to do with it.  If there WAS "intent" than that would be an additional criminal charge.  

Of course this is in the US.  I understand from a quick Internet search that proving liability is more difficult in Canada.

If you truly think your doctor has committed malpractice, immediately seek another doctor and get their opinion.  If he confirms, then it's time to talk to a lawyer.  

Just my 2 cents...

For your stomach wound, there are things you can do to help it heal.  A wound-vac is one option.  I had a pretty good "hole" in my abdomen after ilestomy reversal and we used "wet" dressings with silver alginate "stuffing".  This really helped it "fill in" and heal quickly.  

If your doc is not listening to your concerns, dump him if you can and get someone better.