Frustrated and Needing to Vent: Post-Colostomy Challenges

Hey guys. I don’t normally do this but I need to vent. I went out today shopping and out to eat where I ate about 8 ounces of food, had ONE alcoholic drink that I sipped on for 2 hours, drank 12 ounces of water and about 1-1/2 hours later I feel like I need to repaint my bathroom.  This happens occasionally and normally doesn’t get me down but this time it did. I’m 9 months after colostomy. I need gracilis muscle flap surgery to see if my fistula will heal before I can even think about a reversal. 
The success rate is low for this surgery for people who have fistulas due to radiation (cervical cancer) such as myself, like 20 to 30%. This percentage is nationwide not local. 
Anybody else ever have a pity party? I try so hard not to but this has really gotten me down.

 

You can do whatever you want here, sweetie. We get it.

You might just have to slow down your intake. That alcohol could have been a trigger. You were on your feet all day, weren't you?

Being out was crazy today driving...in malls...food stores.

That too gets to me big time and you aren't even aware of it until you rest.

Sounds like you just had a rough long day.

The other things...hmm. likely are contributing factors.

I'm sorry. I feel your pain. I'd reach out to Alabama to hug you if my arms were longer. (whispers- I know how to paint)

Perhaps get involved in a distraction?

Let me start. What are you doing for the holidays? Family? Friends? Travel?

Or... (moments later) did you see the new car thing at night? I'm driving home late last night. We had a wintery mix. Our first for winter and it's wet. Snow trucks are spreading salt. Alongside me, whizzing past me, appears to be this ladybug-looking car all lit up in lights. Covers front to back, over the hood, roof, trunk. I thought "Tesla"...but it was dark.

White lights. Looked like pimples. On wheels. So I asked myself, "WARRIOR"...if that car breaks down, does the driver see a mechanic or dermatologist?😋

 

Hello Warrior!

Happy Holidays to you 🎄🥳

I thank you so much for your kind reply. I am too tired at this time to get involved in a distraction LOL, but I will do so shortly. I need a hug. I tried to get my cat to hug me, but he is not interested. I am sure I will be in a better state of mind tomorrow.

I will be going to my nephews' home for Christmas lunch and am looking forward to that. Maybe I can nibble on a roll.

What about you?

Happy holiday to you as well. Rough start though, huh? All that thinking. It too can exhaust you. Then you can't sleep. Having a pet sure helps. Thankfully it's not Charcoal...beachboy's obsessed weasel.

This daylight saving time is hard to get used to as well.

Are you working at all or retired now? I'm still working.

I will be with my sis on Wednesday. Was invited to my best friend's house for the evening but declined. It's a 3-hour round trip and I have to work the next day... long drive. Likely returning late at night too.

I'm seeing lighted cars at night. That or Christmas trees grew wheels.

So sorry Warrior I did not read your reply all the way.  Very amusing although not sure of the correct answer but I’m going with dermatologist 😉

Staying Hydrated with an Ostomy with LeeAnne Hayden | Hollister

I had to leave my part-time job earlier this year due to fistula, surgery and my recovery took so long, I just guess they got tired of waiting. It’s difficult to find a part-time bookkeeping job, but I may start looking soon!

Have a great visit with your sis. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season!!

Sorry to hear this.  If it makes you feel better, after reading this, I too need to paint the bathroom!

I'm not sure what I ate that caused my eruption. Possibly the spicy atomic pumpkin beer didn't get along with the peanut butter porter I had for lunch.

Looking forward to a lighter weigh in tomorrow! 🫂

I’m gonna start painting the house after the holidays. What color are you doing the bathroom in? I’m thinking either going back to white or beige. Time to spruce/freshen things up. Always good to have a little project going on. 

You too at your nephew's. Thank you.

Re: my first post...the last part was added after my second post. An afterthought...I think.

Do keep an eye out on those ladybugged pimple white light cars. You might be right. A dermatologist... indeed.👍

Get some rest. You had a long exhausting day. Instead of a hug, here's Teddy.🧸 While I stretch my arms.

Agreed about projects. Keeping busy. An idle mind allows the storm to spray. (But it ain't no paint gun).

We all feel you here. I have had my share of pity parties, I promise. 

I'm sure the exertion got to you. I'm tired just thinking about all you did! The hard part is knowing you could have done that before you got sick with no problems. You'll be back to that soon enough. 

My employer just gave me an ultimatum and I have to go back to work in Jan or lose my job. It's much too good of a job to lose. So I'm trying it part-time at first with a promise to get back to full-time as my condition improves.  What worries me is that I have 2 post-surgical fistulas that may need surgery so I may be starting back just to leave again. Sigh 

Now that I've made this all about me... enjoy your nephew tomorrow and your holidays in general. 

Post a pic of your cat and I will gush all over him. 🤣

Aside to warrior: dermatologist 100%

Hello,

These are times we all face. Wafer/bag leaks, gas blowing out like a volcano. Look down... see that damn lump.

It gets better with time. At first, I was a pity poop with my wife. "Oh woe is me." She told me to shut up, be happy I survived. Sigh... I didn't get a shoulder to cry on there. I'm at 2 years post-op now. I've learned to be happy again. Ignore the little beast hanging around my belly. I know if I eat fun stuff... keep a close eye on the bag. I also use an IGGIE clip to secure the drain. It has saved me many times when my bag filled up like a football, but didn't leak.

Wishing you good luck and happy holidays.

Thank you for your input! I suppose I may have overdone things a bit although it didn’t feel like it at the time. I, like you, also have 2 possible surgeries ahead of me, so why go back to work only to leave again in a few months. I had planned on turning in my notice in May, so I really just ended up leaving a few months early.  I hate to hear of your post surgical fistulas. Good luck with that and let us know how it goes with working part-time.

My orange boy is a mess! His name is actually Orange. 

 

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He’s calmed down quite a bit in the last few years thank goodness!!!

I hope you have a wonderful holiday season and again, good luck with your job 😊

Yes, it does make me feel better. Thank you!!

Happy holidays!!

Lucky cat! 😉

He's called Orange?

Hmm, I think there's a joke/laugh in here about Trump.

He is beautiful! I used to have an orange cat and he was a total sweetheart. 

Awe thanks SusanT I will tell him you said so. He was nasty mean until he got his troublepuffs taken out. Now he’s pretty nice.

Hey Warrior they do share the same hair color 😉 🤣🤣

 

Thanks Beachboy!  I appreciate your comments. Sounds like you were getting some of that tough love from your wife. Probably a good thing (I hope).  Yes, wafers will burst, hernias will bulge and worse but we are alive and there is always something to be grateful for. Sometimes it’s just hard to remember that. 

I will check out that IGGIE clip for sure. 

Happy Holidays to you and yours 🥳🎄

Hey girl...sounding better today, are you? Just purring along? 🐱

Big change after a good night's sleep.

Re: Orange... I'm thinking more like face paint than hair. This guy's gotta glow in the dark.

For some women, that's good in many ways against this popsicle.

(Wait for it) Birth control, for example.😆🤣

All boys are nicer without their trouble puffs....

Uh boy cats that is 😂

Well... that's... one organ... debatable... that makes men nicer if removed... Sue. 😆

Pity party here too. Christmas Day will be the 6-month anniversary of my stoma (named ET). Last week, I had a Barium Enema Air something. It was a horrible experience. It left me with pain in my left rib area. I'm hoping it goes away, but standing too long makes it worse. My pity party had me doing things that exhausted me. I hear you. Merry Christmas.

Hiii. Thanks.. congrats?

6 months, huh?

interesting how many of us had our surgeries around the holidays, if not on them.

Sadly..u hear stories of friends and family dying too.

Yep big pity party. Live alone? Limited if not no family near by? Friends?.

Xmas eve..today. 8 freaking yrs. I've known this alien spud. 

I even called my surgeon ( we are car guys)  to remind him.

I said to him.

" the only good thing I can say right now abt having this shit bag on me '8 yrs. Was. ....meeting you".

He countered.." thanks. That was some shit storm ".  

Yes better now 😊

Re: Orange cat yes, you are correct it is the face color 😻 I’m guessing you’re not a fan?

Not a fan of orange? You mean?

I think orange is awesome. It just shouts "I'm here" very loud.

As human face paint? Hmm🤔 some of my red-skinned family and pale-faced friends agree. Orange color belongs on a pumpkin. 🎃...or a pet. Maybe an iron horse 🏍..or car.

🤔😆.

Don't sweat it, darling. We've all been there. Just be prepared to take care of yourself. Clean up as best you can, and dee-dee.