New Ostomate Saying Hi And Seeking Advice

SirFronk

Feb 16, 2017 7:13 am

Hi, I'm a fairly new ostomate (4 months the 22nd) and I just wanted to pop in and say "hi!"

I'm 33 and I have a sigmoid colostomy due to diverticulitis. I have a colonoscopy coming up in a little over a week and I'm definitely nervous. Hopefully, after the exam, I get the green light for my reversal. I'm super anxious about the reversal, but I know it will be fine. My colostomy was my first real surgery (wisdom teeth don't count).

Enough rambling on my end. Say hi and share any advice/suggestions/stories/whatever you want!

Bill

Feb 17, 2017 6:32 am

Hello SirFronk.

Welcome to the site and I hope you get lots of support from it.

Being nervous is a natural response to situations that one has not experienced before but you appear to have the right sort of attitude by thinking everything will be okay, as I'm sure it will be.

If you want to read what people have said in the past about your condition, reversals or anything else, I would recommend dipping into the 'collections' section, which can be found in the 'CONTENTS' box at the side of the screen. It all makes for interesting reading and I often pop in there to enlighten myself about all sorts of stuff.

I hope all goes ewell with your colonoscopy and you get the green light you are looking for.

Best wishes

Bill

MeetAnOstoMate.org

MeetAnOstoMate is a remarkable community of 41,299 members.

“I mostly read and still feel like I belong.”

“Doctors took notes; they want others to find this website.”

“From midnight blowouts to big wins, there’s always a hand to hold.”

Join Free

Posted by: Karen & Stella

Fay,

I am one of those few people who still have a lot of output at night. However, I suffer from short gut syndrome after seven bowel surgeries that led to the loss of much of my small intestine as well as my large intestine from the initial bowel cancer surgery. It does get better over time as your system adjusts, but an ileostomy can be a challenging adjustment. It's important to connect with a good Enterostomal Nurse - ET nurses who can help you problem-solve over time. It's been five years since my initial surgery, and I had a great visit with a new ET nurse in December. He really helped me with the problem of high output at night. I had been getting up every 90-120 minutes to empty my high output bag because of filling. If I slept for three hours without emptying, I would have problems. My ET nurse helped my husband and me make a nighttime collection system using a Rubbermaid juice container with a handle and my old CPAP hose. This is connected to one of my two-piece high output bags and allows for continual drainage. It isn't pretty, but it has been a real lifesaver. I guess the real message I want to share is to stick with it, find a nurse who you can work with, and together you will find solutions to whatever challenges you face. This website is also an important support for me and others. There is nothing you will go through that others haven't already faced and figured out. There is so much wisdom here. Read the materials they've put together for newbies. There are a lot of great suggestions to use. I hope things get better quickly for you.
Karen

violet-hummingbird

Feb 21, 2017 9:59 pm

Hello Sir Fronk, I'm in the UK and had a sigmoid colectomy for diverticular disease 5 years ago. I had a colostomy for about 9 months and was scared facing reversal surgery, which went well. I have quite an incisional hernia, but as I am 63, I have decided against further surgical repair. Those two major operations were enough for me, and as I am a bit overweight, it will increase my risk of developing another! So, keep yourself as fit as you can. Laparoscopic surgeons are very clever these days, and I'm sure you will do well.

Why Use Ostomy Accessories? Personalization, Security, And Confidence.

Hollister

Using ostomy accessories to create a personalized pouching system can help you prevent leaks and protect your skin.

Learn about the physical and emotional benefits of using ostomy accessories.

New Ostomate Saying Hi and Seeking Advice