This is my first time for many things. Life can throw you many curves; hopefully, I can keep bending with them.
My journey began in Feb. 2010 when I discovered blood in my stool. I waited 7 months and finally got called for a colonoscopy (I called many times to see what was taking so long). In Oct 2010, the surgeon told me I had a tumor in my rectum very low, and was sent for a CT scan that same day. I'm not sure, but I think that he took a biopsy at the time of the colonoscopy. Thanksgiving weekend, I found out the tumor was cancerous but no cancer in other organs (whew). Now the waiting game again as the surgeon wants an MRI done (should be in within 2 weeks); 6 weeks later, after many calls, I got an appointment.
In Jan 2011, I started oral chemo and 28 treatments of radiation to shrink the tumor. After a bit of recovery and more appointments, I had surgery (abdominoperineal bowel resection). I was not prepared for that one. I came out with a permanent colostomy because it was very low and they had to take the muscle. But the cancer is gone. Thank you. I just started getting used to the stoma and all that goes with it when they told me I have to take more chemo (precautionary). As of now, I have one more treatment.
I have been having a bit of problems with my colostomy staying on. I have not gone back to see the ostomy nurse because of the chemo; my output changes, but when I am finished with chemo and feeling better, I am going.
I just wanted to say thank you to all on this site; it has lifted my spirits from time to time, and there is good advice from all.
Thank you!!! Keep up the good work to all.

This is a remarkable community of 40,913 members.
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c57557555
new ostomy ostomate we all gone throu filling low deppessed over your ostomy ./this is a prety open grpup./right now summer its a low re sponces lot of familiy going ons nrrd some thing call out some one deling with your deal,.// some one will post some thing sooner later. /time of year. take care good luck
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Hollister
We sat down with two influential people in the ostomy community, to find out how they cope during challenging times.
Read what they had to say.
Read what they had to say.