fistula

I'm not sure what category to put this post under, but I'm a bit of a wreck. I was putting one foot in front of the other with my urostomy and colostomy and beginning to come to terms with all that. Then I learned that I still have cancer and have begun chemotherapy and immunotherapy to treat that. Third time is a charm? I pray!

To make things even MORE fun, I have developed a fistula between my rectum and vaginal wall. I'm on IV nutrition 24/7. It leaves a lovely taste in my mouth of liquid chalk. YUMMO.

I think I'm whining, but thanks for listening.

You have every right to whine….hope things will turn around for you….hugs, jb

Hello BethE

You may like tomasthestoma.co.uk - run by Clare Mee - she has a similar fistula to that which you have mentioned you have developed - Perhaps you will be both able to compare notes- Hope the common ground may help

Good Luck.

Best wishes

Jayne

G-Day Beth, I hope you can get to the light at the end of the tunnel. Keep us up to date as you get better. Regards IGGIE

Hi Beth welcome to the site, as others said we hope things get better for you and you,ve come to the right place to whine, rant, bitch or just to say hi we,re here. 

Living with Your Ostomy | Hollister

You are not whining and if you need to talk you are in the right place. I am glad you found the site. Keep on sharing. 

Thank you everyone for being so kind. Right now I'm on IV nutrition and all I can think about is steak and potatoes! I hope some lonely little old cow doesn't wander by my window . . . 

Hi BethE,

I am so sorry about the fistula.  Before my surgery in Aug of this year, I had fistulas between my rectum and both my vagina and my bladder. That was the worst experience ever! I even had to do a colonoscopy prep while those were active and I honestly felt like I wanted to die. So, when I say I feel your pain, I do! 

Have you had radiation yet? If not, try asking your provider about this. During my radiation treatment my radiologist mentioned that radiation dries things out and can close a fistula on its own. That was months before my pre-op fistulas developed so I can't speak from experience but it might be worth asking about since you still need cancer treatment.  

And you are not whining but if you were it would be completely understandable.  Contact me anytime if you want to talk. 

PS to those who are paying attention to my posts... I had pre-op fistulas and now have post-op fistulas.  I'm not sure why I've been so blessed but as this group knows all too well... shit happens. 

Oh! And I am also currently on IV nutrition.... we could be twins. 

That lonely cow could feed 2 right? 

Hi SusanT

Fitulas both prior aaaaand post surgical intervention - tough - what IV nutrition and for how long?

Good Luck

BW

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ waves ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

from the UK

Jayne

They call my IV nutrition "TPN" which I think stands for "total parenteral nutrition". The home infusion center makes it for me and delivers 7 bags every Friday.  I'm on this until the small bowel fistula heals or we give up and do surgery.  Since I may need surgery for the urine fistula, I'm hoping we can fix both in 1 go. Then I could get rid of this hideous drain and the IVs altogether.  

I see the urologist the first week in Dec. Hoping to get an answer then. If not I will see my colorectal surgeon in Jan. 

Good luck with all upcomings - my best thoughts are with you

hugs

Jayne

Fistula's are the worst! I've had so many surgeries on them that my butt looks like a war zone, good luck to you