Jenny, Nichole, I have had an ileostomy for 8 yrs. I want to share my story hopefully to assure you both life will go on, and we do find ways to cope, so here it goes, I had just turned 50, I had alot 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 respertory arrest. This was the last of May, My husband of 32 years who I adored died in August of a sudden heart attack. In Dec. same year I was having a routine check of the surgey site by colonoscopy and the cancer was back again. I was informed i was a very agressive type of cancer. And to be honest I had no desire at that time to live my husbands death had devestated me, the nly reason I had my last surgery was for my son, it would leave him witout a mother or father at the same time. He was struggling so hard with his fathers death. So I had the surgery and went on. Man it is so hard sometimes but I think just knowing your not alone helps. Thats why I do alot of teaching & sharing with people who have new ostomies or the Dx. of cancer, maybe thats why I lived I don't know but it seems right. Thanks for reading my story, The very best to you both!!
eddie
eddie