Jenny, Nichole, I have had an ileostomy for 8 years. I want to share my story, hopefully to assure you both that life will go on and we do find ways to cope. So here it goes: I had just turned 50. I had a lot of upper bowel pain. It turned out to be cancer of the transverse colon and a cancer polyp in the lower part of the colon. They removed all of the colon except the rectum and connected the 2 parts back together. I had a respiratory arrest. This was the last of May. My husband of 32 years, who I adored, died in August of a sudden heart attack. In December of the same year, I was having a routine check of the surgery site by colonoscopy and the cancer was back again. I was informed that it was a very aggressive type of cancer. And to be honest, I had no desire at that time to live. My husband's death had devastated me. The only reason I had my last surgery was for my son. It would leave him without a mother or father at the same time. He was struggling so hard with his father's death. So I had the surgery and went on. Man, it is so hard sometimes, but I think just knowing you're not alone helps. That's why I do a lot of teaching and sharing with people who have new ostomies or the diagnosis of cancer. Maybe that's why I lived. I don't know, but it seems right. Thanks for reading my story. The very best to you both!!
eddie
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