Hi, I'm 33 years old and just here to meet other ostomates like myself. I'm recently new to all of this, having had surgery in October due to stage 1 colorectal cancer. I have a permanent colostomy. I kind of need all the positives I can get, all the encouragement. I've accepted it, but it's still a bit difficult.
G-Day and welcome aboard. Are you coping with your ostomy or having problems? We have a great group of members here, and you can ask anything; nothing is off limits, and someone will be able to give you their opinion. Regards, IGGIE
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You are so right. I will never forget this website and the people who have helped me. I had my reversal in January of 2014. I try and come on this website weekly to see if I can help or encourage other individuals get through the day-to-day process of life.
Hiya Tineshia: You've come to the right place if you ever have any questions. There'll always be people here who'll have suggestions and options for you to consider. Take care.
Hi and welcome to the site. You will be sure to make friends here. Help is here for any questions you may have. Love the jokes and social talk as well.
Hello and welcome! Glad you found this website. It has been so helpful to me with great information and people who actually understand the many issues an ostomate faces both physically and mentally. I hope you will find it very helpful and uplifting as I have. Hugs, jb
Hi and welcome.
I am new too, my surgery was Aug of this year. Stage 2 rectal cancer left me with a permanent colostomy and a permanent urostomy. So our stories are similar.
This is a great place to hang out. Sometimes it's nice to be with people who don't mind talking about poop. Lol
Tineshia, Welcome and very well met! As the other folks on here have said, you're in the best of company! And lots of information and resources available to help get you comfortable with your new life!
Beyond that; most, if not all of us have dealt with, and continue to deal with similar issues. So please don't feel alone, or think you're alone! You will meet some amazing people and read some amazing things on here!
If you ever need anything, always reach out to anyone! Welcome to Fam!
Best wishes,
Luke
Welcome to the club. I am also new, and I also had cancer, and I have a wet colostomy that is here to stay, so I hope all is for the best. And guess what? We are here to share our story.
I just read your profile. We had the same surgery... different cancers but the same surgery. I did not have the nerve cut however. That surgery has been very difficult to recover from. I'd had major surgery before so I thought I knew what to expect but this was so much worse than expected.
Keep up with the rehab, you will get there. The others I've talked to who had this surgery said it takes a good year to fully recover. I'm not there yet but I am so much better than I was even a month ago. I'm just happy to meet someone else who had my surgery recently, it isn't very common.
35 years ago I had rectal cancer and the radiation doctor gave me 2nd degree burns that later resulted in the need for a colostomy as well as to self-cath, both of which I have been doing for decades. I'm now 92 years old. You'll get used to the colostomy and the people in this group can help you with any questions you have. Be happy to be alive and enjoy life. Ann
Hello Tinesha! Welcome to the site. I’m relatively new here too, just a year or so, but I’ve already received heap loads of helpful detailed answers to my questions. So sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I’m currently being consulted on a proctectomy as a colon cancer preventative. I’ve had an ileostomy for 12 years now and can’t have it reversed. I’m 38 and they can’t scope me to definitively say if everything is OK. I’m really worried about the surgery but just wanted to share that in case you have the same surgical situation and want to talk. I hope you find the support you need here. I’ve found it comforting to talk with folks who understand. All the best! - Maxine
The one important thing is that you're alive. In the beginning, it was difficult with odor, smelling, and the bag breaking. I still have those problems but have learned how to handle them. I am not going to lie to you and say life is just perfect with an ostomy; it's not. But you can learn to live with it. I would have died otherwise. So, I have had these last 9 years with my loved ones and wouldn't change that for anything.