Joining the Colostomy Club: Preparing for Surgery

Good afternoon, I have not yet had a colostomy operation, but am due to go into hospital on 22nd November. I have a cancer tumour pressing on my rectum and they have to remove the rectum as well to have a "clear margin". So it looks like I'll be joining the club. I'm not too nervous yet but as the day gets nearer this will probably change. I'm not too frightened about the colostomy, but I'm sure it will be life changing and I'm trying to prepare myself.

Hi and welcome! You've hit a good bunch here, so join us for a chat and feel free to ask anything - someone here will have been there and got the t-shirt! Just make sure that you get some good Stoma Nurse support too for when you come home .. good luck and keep us posted, Rach xxx

Welcome, Trudel. I'm a new ostomate since May 2010.
It was life-changing but worth it. Remember, there will be some really challenging days, but take one day at a time.
I tried tons of samples from different companies. The nurses are great with the companies. Very helpful.
Keep us posted, and I wish you well.
Henry

Hello
This is a great site that you have joined. It's been such good help for me over the last year since I have joined. If you have a worry or problem, someone on here usually can help.

Well, Trudel, you have definitely come to the right place! We take any and all new recruits. As an 8 year rectal cancer survivor, I'll let you in on a little secret - you are bypassing about 8 years of unnecessary suffering I went through insisting I not have a colostomy - ended up with one anyway! We'll be holding you in our thoughts here - you've joined a group of really nice, helpful folks :)

My Ostomy Journey: LeeAnne | Hollister

Just to wish you well on the 22nd, I will be thinking of you and offering up a little prayer. You've done the best possible thing by coming to this site; I only wish I'd found it years ago. I will be looking out for updates about your progress. I am doing laundry at the moment after a weekend of "trouble," so I'm cursing a bit for the extra work. Don't be afraid to have a good moan now and then; a problem shared is a problem halved. There's some fun on this site too, to cheer you up, so keep us up to date with how you feel, and don't expect too quick a recovery. It takes time to adjust, longer than what the hospital will tell you. Don't get disheartened. I'm just amazed at how many are in this situation and how supportive everyone is. Good luck.

Thanks to all for your welcome, and good advice.