Yesterday I finally saw a surgeon about my hernia. Its quite large and its been about a year Ive been trying everything suggested by my ET nurse....trying different products...eakins and barriers...skin protector...changed the position of flange on my skin. Nothing has been successful. I leak all the time because the flange just won't stick. My skin gets so red and irritated and its so big and heavy . I cramp and sometimes cant bend over. Well, finally my ET nurse and doctor reffered me to a surgeon. I waited months to see him. I have a vocal disorder and cant talk so my dad came in with me. Hes gone to support group with me so knows a bit about ostomies and we're close so i feel comfortable with him. Well, the surgeon asked him to wait in the hall while he examined me and my dad switched with my mom (he said he thought we would just be talking about appts and such and my mother would be better). My mom wont even discuss my colostomy. She wont look at any of my products...nothing. So, the surgeon asked questions...id whisper answers to my mom and motion for her to tell him and she didnt. Because i can whisper a bit i then tried to whisper to the surgeon directly but it wasnt loud enough. It ended up him saying hed arrange for me to see the ET nurse because i need to try more. Sigh. Im so frustrated. Maybe I'm overreacting? I have been emotional/depressed because of my voice, hernia and have damaged my knee. Right now i just feel mad and that yesterday was a waste.
I have 2 hernias and a prolapse. Do you have a prolapse as well? I have a hard time as well. I have started using the Eakin Ring before I put my bag on and that helped a bit. I also lay down and massage the prolapse gently and wait for it to go back in a bit. I cannot change it by myself because of orher medical issues. Are you using barrier wipes/stoma powder at all?
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I am scheduled for my reversal on 12/4. All my pre-admin stuff is completed and my GI signed off on the clearance letter this morning. I am super excited and looking forward to not having a bag. I just hope all goes well and heals well so I don't wake up with a temp bag which will lead to yet another surgery.
I have learned a lot from this website and will continue to be on here even after surgery. To all the ostomates out there, keep your heads up and keep pressing forward. We all have good and bad days. Best of luck to you all.
I will be sure to post my progress after surgery. I'm praying for you all.