Hi.. My name is Sandy.. I'm 58, was diagnosed with rectal cancer on Feb 4..... I did the chemo, that was the easy part.... Then the radiation... Whew... Nobody told me about all the PAIN.... And so now, I'm looking at surgery on Friday, July 17, to reconstruct and to add a colostomy bag... Which will be with me the rest of my life.... And I don't mind saying, I'M SCARED.... I worry about what to eat, how to dress, will it smell? Will it stay attached? Soooooo many questions.... Until now, I have been a very active grandma... But lately, I just want to curl up in bed and never get up.... Or just run far far away..... I really don't want Friday to EVER get here!! I guess I'm not really looking for answers here... Just a little sympathy and comfort.............

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We sat down with two influential people in the ostomy community, to find out how they cope during challenging times.
Read what they had to say.
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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.