Mayoman, three years ago I had a prolapsed rectum. I had surgery to repair it, and the surgeon removed my sigmoid colon while repairing the rectal prolapse. Two months ago, my rectum prolapsed again. With the sigmoid colon gone, there wasn't a lot left to attach the rectum to the colon. Because I have become totally incontinent, I will be having surgery on April 10th. My rectum and anus will be removed, and an ostomy will be formed. I feel as if I am in a living nightmare.
will80991953
Mar 20, 2017 6:36 pm
Bill
Mar 21, 2017 6:35 am
Hello will80991953.
Welcome to Meetanostomate and thank you for posting as it reminded me so much of my own situation prior to having the stoma.
On here we tend to speak from our own experiences so that people reading the posts can get a genuine feeling of what it has been like before and after surgery. For my part, I can honestly say that the 'nightmare' of faecal incontinence ended as soon as I had the stoma and I HAVE BEEN GRATEFUL FOR THE NEW MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS EVER SINCE.
As you will be well aware, trying to cope with incontinence from the anus can be impossibly, messy and embarrassing and somewhat frustrating and depressing at times. Managing the same output, with a stoma at the front of your body, is immeasurably simpler and more manageable. Yes! there were teething problems in the early days and some adjustments to make in attitudes but the experiences of the previous incontinence made all those adjustments seem worthwhile. I now live a relatively normal life and do not even think about the stoma that much.
I wish you well with your operation and I feel confident that you will never regret moving forward to your new nad improved existence.
Best wishes
Bill
MeetAnOstoMate is a remarkable community of 41,453 members.
“I found real people, real humor, and answers I couldn’t get anywhere else.”
“The support here impressed my husband’s medical team - they plan to recommend it.”
“This community saved me when I thought I was a freak. Now I’m thriving.”
“Thank god for this site - I finally knew what to ask my surgeon.”
Posted by: iMacG5
About seven years ago, just about every aspect of my life was ostomy related. From the moment I was told an ostomy might be needed until some months down the road I existed as a person afflicted with a colostomy. I feared someone other than my immediate family might find out I had a bag. Ugh! What could be worse? Suppose it filled real fast when I was out with no place to hide and take care of myself. God forbid should it leak in church! Suppose I roll over on it in bed. I was a lesser creature, destined to a life of emotional anguish and physical routines different from most of the rest of the world. I felt like a freak. Then I found folks like you guys here, read your stuff, really “listened” to what you had to say and I began looking at things differently. We know perception is everything and I began to understand how good things were relative to what they could’ve been. So many folks had it so much worse than I did. That didn’t make my discomfort go away but it exposed how fortunate I was to be dealing with my stuff and not their’s. I felt a little guilt, maybe selfishness but quickly forgave myself by understanding I just wasn’t smart enough to fix my feelings. Then, I wonder what smarts have to do with feelings. My perception was warped so my perspective toward my existence was warped.
I learned over the last few years with the help of lots of folks right here at MAO that I could be better at living just by accepting some facts. It is what it is and so what? It’s not the worst thing to happen to a person.
I think everything is, in some way, related to everything else. I just put the ostomy thing in the back seat and drive forward.
Respectfully,
Mike
iMacG5
Mar 22, 2017 10:49 pm
Hey Will, Bill's reply is so accurate. Sure, you'll need to get used to your new system, but the "nightmare" will end almost immediately.
I'm repeating the last paragraph from Bill.
Sincerely,
Mike
Advertisement
Hollister
Skin barrier extenders are ostomy accessories that can help your skin barrier fit better and last longer.
Learn all about skin barrier extenders.
Learn all about skin barrier extenders.
Rosyred
Mar 27, 2017 5:03 pm
Hi, I had an emergency ileostomy in 2010. I had IBS beforehand with leakage because of weak sphincter muscles, but the operation had nothing to do with that. I was so shocked, but once I got over that, my life has been normal. You get used to emptying the pouch (I use one piece) and changing it. Once the stoma has settled, you get into a routine that suits you. After the op, just take things easy and rest. One thing I would say is to discuss with the stoma nurse the best position for the stoma. As mine was an emergency and the abdominal area was really swollen, mine is not in a very good place. Usually, ileostomies are on the right side. The leakage will be gone straight away.
Hope everything goes well for you.
Sincerely,
pauline