My name is Laura, I am 27 from the UK and waiting to have my stoma surgery on June 16th of this year! I am super excited about it as I have been poorly for a very long time now and just want it over! Thirteen years is too long to be in pain and having tummy problems (I think!)
I know after the surgery I may not feel as positive, but I am determined to go in there thinking positively! I want to have my stoma and be proud of what I have overcome if that makes sense?
I am a mummy to two wonderful babies (4 and 2) and they get affected daily by how poorly I can be. I don't want it to be that way anymore, and I will do anything to make life better for them by me getting better.
I was diagnosed with solitary rectal ulcer syndrome in January 2013. I had ventral mesh rectoplasty in June 2013, which sadly didn't work, which now means I will be getting a colostomy in June 2014
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I have decided to call her Elizabeth Anne as I am a Tudor obsessive, and they are just the perfect queens to me.
I look forward to getting to know people and having support through what I am sure will be a very tough time!xxxxxx
Welcome to the site, you will do well as is evident by your positive attitude in this post; attitude is everything.
Don't be afraid to ask questions. The early days post-op can be a little hard, but you will soon learn the few basics to control your situation and your life will improve from there forward.
I would ask your doctor if you might qualify for irrigation {is the remaining colon healthy?}
If so, that will further simplify your post-op lifestyle. Good luck.
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I just finished reading the Ostomy Tips Book under COLLECTIONS at the top of the page. I did not realize how much information was there. It covers a lot
of things that people have questions about. Hope this may answer some things for people. Best wishes and stay safe
Welcome -- so happy for you -- you will have your moments -- but it is all worth the effort.
My grandkids are my sunshine!
Mine is an ileostomy -- Good luck and prayers for success!
Learn about convexity and 4 myths surrounding it.
Just watch out for some of the "hedgehogs" on this site. (Check Forum Home page - Just for Laughs - SURVIVAL LESSON) which explains about "hedgehogs".
Some of the key "hedgehogs" are Primeboy, Gutenberg, MMSH, but not me; I'm just innocent.
Great attitude makes for a great ostomate.
Cheers,
Ed
Hi Laura, good for you is all I can say. Your positive attitude will serve you well through recovery and be reinforced with the life you get after surgery. I suffered for 15 years with horrible, never-in-remission Crohn's disease. My specialist recommended a permanent ileostomy when I was 21. I had a bad attitude and resisted; he told me at every appointment that I would wake up one day with him over me, having saved my life, and it would be done. I was 36 when my bowel perforated, and I almost died, and that's exactly what happened. I am now 4 years post-op and having the life I was meant to have in my 20s. Wish I had your attitude and listened to him at your age. It takes some getting used to, but trust me, it is so worth it. (And I promise you, no one will ever know if you don't tell them.) Good luck
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Words of Encouragement from Ostomy Advocates I Hollister
