The night of August 16th was probably the most painful night of my life. Starting at 5pm and finally at 4am on the 17th, I let my wife call 911. I was brought to the hospital and diagnosed as having a perforated colon from diverticulitis. If I wasn't on so much morphine, I probably would have flipped out. Finally, that afternoon they found air floating around my chest area and decided I had to have surgery. I was well prepped for it as far as info goes, so I knew I would wake up with a bag. My last words before going out in the OR were "Where is the music? There is always music on TV." They put on the hard rock I asked for. After the surgery, I couldn't even look at the bag for 5 days. I wanted to go home, so on the 6th day, the stoma nurse taught me how to manage it and I went home. Over the next ten weeks, I can't even describe the emotion, but I must say I think I handled it well. I went back to work for a few hours a day, even while I was in the hospital (laptop and phone). Ten weeks later, I had the reversal. I am now almost 5 weeks post-reversal and am doing well and have been back to work for three weeks (light duty and 4-5 hours a day, I am in sales so it's easy to drive around and visit accounts).
While I had the bag, I told everyone I was involved with and was amazed how many people told me about their experience with someone in the family that had a similar situation. I even went on a four-day golf trip with the bag on and it worked out OK as well. So besides the ugly scars on my belly, I think I am going to be OK. By the way, I am 59 years old and in good health besides this.
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Hollister
Resuming your personal and work life after ostomy surgery can be challenging to adjust to a new life.
Learn ways to adjust to life after ostomy surgery.
Learn ways to adjust to life after ostomy surgery.
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Hollister
Before making the trip from your hospital bed to your home, it's important to review some essential care tips and precautions with your stoma care nurse.
Follow our 9-point hospital discharge checklist.
Follow our 9-point hospital discharge checklist.