I'm getting a colostomy reversal and incisional hernia repair and diverting ileostomy. Anyone been through that, what's it like? What am I in for?
izipizi
Mar 09, 2019 5:03 pm
Puppyluv56
Mar 11, 2019 4:51 pm
I have not, but wish you the best of luck! There are many success stories on this site!
Pup
izipizi
Mar 12, 2019 2:36 pm
Thank you for your kind words. I'm scared of the process and fear complications.
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Posted by: Primeboy
Hi Mike and all. I am not sure how panoramic my perspective really is as my peripheral vision shrinks with each passing year. I can tell you that when I came to this website six years ago I was truly ;impressed by the positive attitudes of so many members, especially the younger folks who refused to let their ostomies define who they were or what they would become. I also came to appreciate that having an ostomy is not the same thing as having a disease. Pardon ;my pun now, but ostomies and cancer don't belong in the same bag. One is a solution, the other is a problem. Celebrating National Ostomy Day ;is also well outside my comfort zone. That's like celebrating National Wheel Chair Day. Come on!
I think there is a ;need for improved ;public awareness of ostomies, but I am not sure how that's best done. There ;remains ;some social stigma attached to our situation, and it's acutely felt among our young. We need to get out of the dark ages on this issue, but not by going 'in your face' to everyone else. I think Bill and NDY are 'spot-on' when it comes to telegraphing the right message to friends and family. People will know how to react when they ;see ;how we accept the cards we were dealt. I also appreciate the contribution some people here are making to this effort through their publications.
On a personal note, my son has been suffering from ulcerative colitis for years just like I did. I am very concerned because people with UC are at a higher risk for colon cancer. Years ago my GI told me to get annual colonoscopies to be on the safe side. I am glad I did because he eventually found pre-cancerous cells which led to several surgeries and my becoming an ostomate. Since then I have always ;conveyed a positive attitude to ;my son about wearing a bag because it has kept me alive to enjoy many more years with my loved ones. I think he got the message. We both go to the same gastroenterologist in NYC and get scoped on the same day. Father and Son moments!
Someone once wrote that our children are the letters we write to the future.
PB
izipizi
Apr 07, 2019 6:28 pm
Tomorrow's my big day. Very anxious today, beginning the prep. I have to be at the hospital 1 hour away at 6am.
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iMacG5
Apr 07, 2019 7:28 pm
Hey Iz. I'll be thinking about you. I didn't get the reversal but lots of other stuff. Your anxiety is so familiar to me and guess what. The procedures were done, it's all over, I'm all healed and the sun is shining. It's all good for me as it will be for you. We'll be waiting for you to share your good news.
Respectfully,
Mike
My Ostomy Journey: April | Hollister
Puppyluv56
Apr 14, 2019 8:55 pm
Iz,
I am sure all has gone well. Let us hear from you as soon as you feel up to it! Wishing you a speedy recovery!
Puppy
izipizi
May 09, 2019 2:20 pm
I'm in my 4th week post-op. Saw the surgeon yesterday. I have had ups and downs with nausea, poor appetite, draining ileostomy at least 8-9 times a day. A few leaks and bad timing on changes.
Difficulty gaining weight back. I'm underweight. Periods of exhaustion intermittently. Still in pain from colostomy reversal site which had a small hernia I just found out yesterday was also repaired, in addition to reversal colostomy, ileostomy, appendectomy, repair of incisional hernia, and para colostomy hernia. Spent 8 nights in the hospital.
I am walking almost every day for about 20-30 minutes. Using a heating pad regularly on the abdomen.
I knew this would be rough... but I thought by now I might be in less pain.
The surgeon said everything looks good... Scheduled for ileostomy reversal in about 2 months.
He said I will need an enema study and sigmoidoscopy first pre-op... ouch.
Anxiety prevails on this long journey.
Hope everyone is doing well. Thanks.
Puppyluv56
May 09, 2019 8:29 pm
You sound as if you are doing great! That was a lot to go through and you are up and walking every day! Good for you!
You will improve by leaps and bounds now! You have the hard part behind you! The ileostomy may be more difficult to handle but you only have a short time to deal with it! Good luck with your studies and future surgery!
Puppyluv
ron in mich
May 11, 2019 1:25 pm
Hi izipizi, I had a resection and moved the stoma from right to left last year of my ileo. And I found that the nausea could be stopped by drinking a small can of V8 juice. I think it helped with dehydration as my new stoma was working too well. As for changing, I do it in the morning after a shower and not eating anything the night before.
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izipizi
May 29, 2019 2:34 pm
Now having a lot of thin watery rectal discharge. Feels like I have to have a BM, butt is getting sore. Ileostomy maintenance is exhausting. Had a problem with leaks, was cutting hole too small in flange. Took a week to figure it out. Wasted a lot of supplies. Finally, my ostomy nurse figured it out.
Up 3 times a night minimum, I'm exhausted. Off all pain meds except PRN Advil. Have crampy discomfort in mornings and soreness where colostomy was reversed and hernia repaired.
Still walking 2 miles most days.
Rough road.
Kudos to those who have been doing it long term... it ain't easy, at least for me.