This is the first time I have posted on this site. I've been reading it for a while and all of you have helped me feel less like a freak and given me hope. I started with this whole thing last May with pain which I chose to ignore because I was afraid of cancer. Many people in my family have had cancer and I was three weeks away from my son's wedding.
When it got bad and I went to a specialist, he said he couldn't believe I was still functioning because I had an abscess which was infected. I ended up with a perforated bowel. I cried and whined that I didn't want to miss my son's wedding so he treated me in the hospital for a week with antibiotics and put a JP drain on me. I did get to go to the wedding and no one knew what I was wearing under that beautiful dress.
I ended up wearing the drain all summer and surgery was scheduled for September. The first surgery was done laparoscopic and I felt great. I told my doctor that I loved him and he said there was a chance this could fail. Sure enough, three days out of the hospital, I got really sick and ended up in emergency surgery at 2:00 AM. I woke up with a colostomy and a huge incision. It's been tough working like this as I am a car sales consultant and I'm always afraid of the bag smelling or exploding. You all know what I mean. Now I have developed a hernia that needs to be fixed.
Now I'm setting up a reversal surgery and hernia repair. My doctor says I don't have much colon left but he thinks he can fix me. I just want to hear from anyone who can give me some encouragement as I'm scared to death. I want to get rid of this colostomy more than anything but I dread the surgery. Before this whole episode, I had never been sick so this has really thrown me for a loop.

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Caz67
Well it's just coming upto a year since I had my emergency stoma. Since joining MAOM I have learnt all different kinds of ideas to help with the stoma. Not only that I have made a lot of good friends who I can talk to. The beauty of this site is it's not just giving tips and ideas we talk about anything and everything. So thank you for giving us a great site. XX
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Hollister
Ostomy surgery is stressful both for the patient and the caregiver, and creates a major life change for both people in a relationship.
Learn how to care for your loved one, while still taking care of yourself.
Learn how to care for your loved one, while still taking care of yourself.
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Hollister
Your stoma care nurse can be a valuable resource when you need help.
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Learn about the common issues and symptoms that warrant a call for assistance.