Hi
I've had my ileostomy now for 2 years. I had a letter from my surgeon telling me that my bowel has now healed after so many tests and scans, and he could now do a reversal if I wanted to. I'm not 100% sure after reading so many stories of people having problems after the operation.
Rob B
G-Day Rob,
All I can say is I got a J-Pouch after having my colon removed and spent many, many years with big problems. But 4 years ago, I got rid of my reversal and got my fantastic ileostomy, which I should have gotten all those years ago.
Don, at 77, if you're handling your ileostomy okay, then stay with it; it's better than looking for a toilet all the time.
Regards, IGGIE
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Hi Mike and all. I am not sure how panoramic my perspective really is as my peripheral vision shrinks with each passing year. I can tell you that when I came to this website six years ago I was truly ;impressed by the positive attitudes of so many members, especially the younger folks who refused to let their ostomies define who they were or what they would become. I also came to appreciate that having an ostomy is not the same thing as having a disease. Pardon ;my pun now, but ostomies and cancer don't belong in the same bag. One is a solution, the other is a problem. Celebrating National Ostomy Day ;is also well outside my comfort zone. That's like celebrating National Wheel Chair Day. Come on!
I think there is a ;need for improved ;public awareness of ostomies, but I am not sure how that's best done. There ;remains ;some social stigma attached to our situation, and it's acutely felt among our young. We need to get out of the dark ages on this issue, but not by going 'in your face' to everyone else. I think Bill and NDY are 'spot-on' when it comes to telegraphing the right message to friends and family. People will know how to react when they ;see ;how we accept the cards we were dealt. I also appreciate the contribution some people here are making to this effort through their publications.
On a personal note, my son has been suffering from ulcerative colitis for years just like I did. I am very concerned because people with UC are at a higher risk for colon cancer. Years ago my GI told me to get annual colonoscopies to be on the safe side. I am glad I did because he eventually found pre-cancerous cells which led to several surgeries and my becoming an ostomate. Since then I have always ;conveyed a positive attitude to ;my son about wearing a bag because it has kept me alive to enjoy many more years with my loved ones. I think he got the message. We both go to the same gastroenterologist in NYC and get scoped on the same day. Father and Son moments!
Someone once wrote that our children are the letters we write to the future.
PB
Thank you, IGGIE, for your comments. I'm going to see the surgeon next month, and he will tell me all the pros and cons regarding this operation.
Have a good day.
Regards, Rob B
Hi Rob! When it comes to these questions, I personally think the known is better than the unknown. There are people who have had success with each option, and others who have regretted their decision. It is always good to hear the pros and the cons; the problem is no one, and I mean no one, can tell us which category we will end up in. I wish you the best.
Hi Rob, I think everyone's journey is different, and it depends on why you had the ileostomy in the first place. I had my ileostomy due to emergency surgery, so when I was offered a reversal, I jumped at the chance of getting my normal back. If my ileostomy was due to ongoing health issues or a medical condition and it offered me a better quality of life, I would have thought differently. Just to share, my reversal experience was really positive; bowel movement in 3 days and no continuous toilet issues that others have faced. We all have our own journeys.
