Reply to Iamari
It sounds like you and I had similar experiences, ileostomy-wise. Like you, I had a bit of a rough go when I lost my colon. My surgeon did not give me a very high probability for survival. I had an NG for about a week and then developed pneumonia and was outfitted with a couple of drainage tubes. But, being a stubborn coot and having a wife that was by my side throughout, I defied the surgeon's odds. However, after I was finally in rehab learning how to walk again, I developed pancreatitis and, wham! I was back in the hospital for another couple of weeks. But now, 7 months after the initial surgery, I am back to walking 3-4 miles a day and I feel damn good for being my age. Maybe not what I was before all this transpired, but hey, I am 75 years old and there are more things that speed decomposition than inhibit it. :-)
Anyway, all I am trying to say is hang in there. The ship will right itself. The way I look at it is that I will be permanently 7 pounds lighter.
Daniel