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About

I had cancer surgery low in the rectal area on Nov. 2020 and am now wearing a permanent pouch on the left of my belly. This was a bit of a shock to me realizing what adjustments I need to go through for the rest of my life. I was overwhelmed by the sights, of surgery site, the big old hospital bag they had on me the big red bulge sticking out my belly area. Then the smells, odors, dumping wow, a rude awakening. The good news they got all the cancerous tumor out. I will be on Chemotherapy for 6 months as I have been rated at stage 3. I have accepted the fact that this is now part of me and I have to take control. I have had problems with seepage and after an appointment with the Stoma nurse, I now have the seepage problem controlled. I am now using a 2 piece Coloplast system. Deep convex wafer (base plate) with belt loops. Attaching a protective (1 1/8" - 2 1/4") O-ring pouch, which I like as I get 2-3 pouches per wafer, easier on the skin less sticky changes. The belt loops are to hold the wafer tighter to the skin. I have a swell from surgery and my stoma protrudes out more than most. The issues I deal with now are, Air in the bag, I use a vented bag right now as I seem to be constantly putting air in the bag, With the unvented pouch I was up emptying the air out of it 6-8 times a night causing very little sleep. Unfortunate the vented pouch is harder to empty seems to pancake and they don't last sometimes only one day maximum 2 before the air no longer escapes. This adds expense to already high cost products we need to live and survive. I am working with a nutrition expert to try and get better control of my digestive system. I hope to reduce the air and be able to switch back to a non vented pouch, easier to empty and last longer. Chemo does impact the digestive system so it may take a while for my system to regulate after the chemo. I have quit drinking milk with my meals, this seems to reduce the air to my pouch by quite a bit. I was told that I could have become more lactose intolerant from the surgery. In the meantime, if anyone got any suggestions, tips or ideas, I am open to suggestions giving or receiving. I wish everyone well and hope you all stay safe and free from this Covid19. Good luck Thanks for reading.

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