Facing a Colonoscopy with an Ileostomy: My Journey

I am new to this site...as of today actually. What prompted me to join was the fact that I am scheduled for ileostomy reversal 11/13/18. I have been looking forward to this day since the day I found out I had an ileostomy, (I will tell my story in a few). I am nervous and anxious of course but I just found out I need to have a colonoscopy (bad enough) but also one done through my stoma! I had a break down here at work when I figured it out. I was googling colonoscopies with ileostomy and found that information. I immediately called the Dr and it was confirmed. Is it as bad as it sounds?

So, I will be brief as I can with my story....On May 15, 2018 I went in for a routine hysterectomy, I was sent home without having a bowel movement or even any bowel sounds. Four days after the surgery I was taken to the hospital by ambulance, I was in excruciating pain and "out of it", I also started asperating. Thank God for my alert husband!

It was discovered I had a perferrated bowl, almost ripped off according to my surgeon. I had been leaking toxic waste for 4 days! I was put on a ventilator for 5 days with a pump to keep getting the waste out and surgeries every other day to clean away any and all infection. I was given an ileostomy to let my colon rest. I know the ileostomy (which we named Stella) saved my life but I have struggled emotionally. I have always taken care of my health so I didn't have to rely on Dr's or be in the medical system and I feel that was taken away by a botched surgery.

All in all my surgeon is a miracle man who God placed in my life. I am a worryer by nature and as the reversal day gets closer I have more anxiety! Not to mention the colonoscopies!

I would love to hear some feel good and positive stories!

 

 

Welcome! Wow, what a way to have to get to this point. Glad it has worked out to be temporary for you! I would be very interested in exactly how they do to Colonoscopy now. There are no nerves in the Ostomy so I would think it would be way better than the real rotorooter! A lot less humiliating! And hopefully they still let you sleep thru it. I irrigate my Colostomy every day so it nothing. No pain. Hope that is the same for you! You may want to order an irrigation sleeve and belt if you have to drink contrast prior to the procedure. It may make the emptying of your colon easy, right into the toilet.

Keep us posted. 

Puppyluv

i had the scope thing a few years ago before they did my hernia repair, it was no big deal. congrats on your upcoming reversal, so few of us get a chance at that !

I am also new to this sight. I  had surgery in August do to a tumor on my ovary. The surgeron also perferrated my colon but was not known at the time. I was sent home and 2 days later taken by ambulance to hospital where they discovered what had happened. ...Spent a week and a half in the hospital everyone telling me the reversal will be nothing like what i just went through.Even the home health nurse told me a simple nip and tuck. Went and talked to the surgeon they set me up with told me the longer i wait the better chances i would have of no complications but there are no guarentees even if we would wait. Set surgery up for Dec 7. I ended up cancelling it I dont have the courage for it been through so much and ive been reading so many of people stories on these different web sites and its a major surgery.. I try to downplay it with my friends but there are days when I just break down.. I know theres people out there worse off then me and I should be feeling lucky to be alive and at least i have the option of the reversal but some days are just so hard....Just trying to get by 1 day at a time.

jeepgirl,

I know it is tough. I too play the strong card and sometimes just have to have a pity party! It is okay to do that! Take your time making your decision and certainly find a new surgeon! I would love to have that option but because I do not, have not investigated it to see the issues. Every one is different and what worked for some doesn’t for others but it seems you have a chance to be normal again! Or at least have normal bathroom habits! Lol Hope you find peace with your decision. You can always change your mind later! Don’t rush!

Take Care,

Puppyluv 

How to Manage Emotions with LeeAnne Hayden | Hollister