Bathing and Exercising with a Colostomy: Need Advice

The same way as I did before my surgery, except no heavy weight lifting.

Hi, I have had a colostomy for 5 weeks. It started with a lump in my groin which was diagnosed by 2 doctors as an abscess. After 4 months and two intense courses of antibiotics, I went to a third doctor who referred me to a gynaecologist as she did not believe it was an abscess. The gynaecologist did a skin biopsy and advised immediate surgery. Not one ultrasound or CAT scan done first to determine the size or exact location. Upon waking, I was advised it was not on the side it had protruded from but on the other side of the cervix and much larger than expected. They advised they had perforated my bowel. One week off work ended up being 2 and a half months off. I advised I had an infection but they said they couldn't see it. The following week, I went back in excruciating pain and was readmitted for surgery to clear the infection I had had all along. Still in pain the following day, so an MRI was performed. By this time, I had been handballed to a different surgeon. He advised I had a rectovaginal fistula. He operated the following day to put Seton drains in. The next week, I went back and advised the pain was intense and I was bleeding. He said it looked fine. Three days later, after screaming at him in pain, he handballed me to surgeon number 3 who operated that evening. He had to remove the Seton and replace it with a finer one as it was too big and cutting me. It was also infected. I didn't know you could get different sizes. Still not sure you can, but I'm not a colorectal specialist. One month later, he removed the Seton and did flap advancement fistula repair. One month later, he advised it had failed and referred me to surgeon number 4. He, along with a gynaecological surgeon, did a further repair as well as repairing the hole left where the growth had protruded through the skin one year earlier, as well as repairing the large hole left in my labia, to which nobody had owned up to. I lost part of the other labia in the first op so now have lopsided smaller labias. Not that I care, so I thought they were too big anyway and had nicknamed them Dumbo.... Anyway, 8 days later, that surgery went pear-shaped and I got another infection. Back in hospital on antibiotics for 3 days. More investigative surgery revealed another failure. I was advised my only option now was a colostomy or ileostomy. Not sure why I ended up with the colostomy. Question for the surgeon this week. I didn't have a lot of time to think about it but realizing I didn't have much choice, went back to theatre the following day. After 3 and a half weeks in hospital and rehab, I finally came home. I've now lost a total of 5 months off work. I'm still in a lot of pain and started bleeding which sent me back to the ER after chatting to the nurse on call. That was a pointless and disgusting exercise that I hope I never have to repeat. I couldn't sit due to pain and asked if there was somewhere I could lay down. I was told no and to just lean against the wall. There was a minimum 6-hour wait, yet only half a dozen people waiting. Anyway, I won't go into detail as to what transpired, safe to say I will have to be on my death bed to ever go to the ER again.

I'm wondering if anyone out there has had a bag due to fistula repair and what their experience has been. Mine may be reversed but it's not guaranteed. My stoma is inverted and still bleeding a little on the edges. I've tried a gazillion different bags but think I've got it sorted now. I've had mucus-like discharge from day one but have had a couple of days where the mucus was more like fecal matter. I can feel it oozing sometimes. I'm not sure if mine is an end or loop ostomy either. Another question for the surgeon. Think most of my pain in the perineum is the stitches pulling. Yes, they are still there and I've been told they are dissolvable so I'm guessing super heavy duty due to my history of failure. I'm sure if he cuts the one rogue stitch it will ease the pain significantly. Also would like to know how long before the pain in the stoma region settles. I have also had a distended stomach that won't settle despite weight loss. Any similar experiences or advice that anyone would like to share would be greatly appreciated.

Just had a salad today, romaine lettuce and tomatoes, chicken, cheese. French dressing. About half the size I used to eat. I just try out the foods one by one in small amounts.... I was told just to try things out in small amounts and see how you handle them. I've been fortunate so far, anything and everything, in small amounts, small multiple meals, and chew! I also drink Ultima electrolytes, powder in water. Raw Meal protein powder, all plant-based, with rice milk and frozen fruit... Strawberries, melon, and pineapple... If you want to gain weight, add flaxseed oil... I started this all sparingly and slowly over two years.