For what its worth, yesterday marked six months of living with a bag
It took a lot to get used to having a plastic device adhered to mye abdomin to collect my bowel movements but with time and considerable reduction in pain, its my life-saving appliance now, tho I still rely on girlfriend to attach and remove flange and outer bag; I'm good at releaasing gas and product from bag. Have appointment with surgeon this Mon to look me over front and rear and hopefully let me lift weights again.(I cry every time I see him, his magic fingers saved my life). Whatever prioblems I have had since Tx began in June have been minimal in comparision to what many of you have been and are going thru.
It is also to many of you I owe my sanity and survival for the answers and support provided have proven lifesaving. Its taken time but I realized recently that I need to get some semblance of a life back besides just staying in bed,watching TV and going for Tx and to doctors so I started walking in the street at least twice a day (til I can add real exercise!)am definitely eating better (more fruit/veg, less hamburger etc) and doing the simple things my retired life consisted of BC-reading,music,etc. (BC=before cancer)
For those recently Dxed:never give up hope no matter what you are currently going thru.There's alot of solid research being done to conquer cancer (nanothechnology being one I really think has potential).If I can (hopefully_ beat this at age 59, so can you.......Steve
Comments
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Steve - it's worth A LOT!
Congrats on your 6th month mark. That's quite a milestone. I don't know how all of you with the bags do it. It is a big change of lifestyle to say the least. It's great that youa re out an dwalking. Walking, by the way, does count as real exercise. You're exercising your heart but I do understand what you mean. It sounds like the weights are an important part of getting used to your new normal.
Congrats again Steve!
-phil0 -
Steve -
Although I have an ileostomy, not a colostomy, many of the
problems are similar; all ostomates have problems with both
adhesions and hernias.
We're missing some valuable organs that had consumed space
inside our bodies. When they remove even part of the organ,
or move it to a different location, the organs can stick to things
that they weren't intended to be sticking to. That phenomena
is called an adhesion. It can produce pain, and obstructions,
that in turn can cause digestive problems and pain.
We are also much more prone to hernia, since the new
placement of our intestines seem to have a desire to push
against our outsides, and can work their way between muscles.
That also produces pain, obstructions, etc...
So ask your colorectal surgeon about weight lifting, and all
the things you might want to avoid, since you have an ostomy.
Too many of us have neglected to realize and understand our
new restrictions, and ended up paying the price in pain.
Good luck, and better health!
John0 -
John23, thanks for the adviseJohn23 said:Steve -
Although I have an ileostomy, not a colostomy, many of the
problems are similar; all ostomates have problems with both
adhesions and hernias.
We're missing some valuable organs that had consumed space
inside our bodies. When they remove even part of the organ,
or move it to a different location, the organs can stick to things
that they weren't intended to be sticking to. That phenomena
is called an adhesion. It can produce pain, and obstructions,
that in turn can cause digestive problems and pain.
We are also much more prone to hernia, since the new
placement of our intestines seem to have a desire to push
against our outsides, and can work their way between muscles.
That also produces pain, obstructions, etc...
So ask your colorectal surgeon about weight lifting, and all
the things you might want to avoid, since you have an ostomy.
Too many of us have neglected to realize and understand our
new restrictions, and ended up paying the price in pain.
Good luck, and better health!
John
I never wanted to know exactly what surgeon was going to do even tho he explained it a few times and even drew pictures-I'm rather squeamish about things like that and I"ll faint at my own blood -I know I gotta watch out that I don't strain,pull,impact stoma nor sewn up rear (I guess no heavy deadlifts, squats, bent over rows,etc, probably no heavy anything!!)Been lifting on and off 45 years or so so it was a big paRT OF MY LIFE ANd probably the only positive thing I did (diet was terrible,ex-smoker,ex-drinker,ex-druggie).More or less accepted as fact of life that colostomy is part of me now(It is me) so I live with it as I can't/couldn't live without it. Thank you again, John, for response.......Steve0 -
Au Contraire.....can't imagine myself going thruSundanceh said:Congrats, Steve!
You sound good, Steve
I admire all of you that have ostomies - you are all so much braver than I.
Congratulations on your milestone and your attitude is great!
WTG!
-Craig
what you yourself did, Craig-it took balls to be the first to go thru the DaVinci process as you recently did.I guess we all learn to do what we must if we want to continue living. I aint ready to go yet!!!!!
Little story to all:
Had around 30-35 or so rounds of radiation prior to op and everytime the light went on indicating beam in use and I heard the accompanying buzzing sound, there was a song I sang to myself in my head that went like this:"KILL THOSE FUKKEN CANCER CELLS;
kILL THOSE FUKKEN CANCER CELLS"
thats all that went thru my mind while radiation coursing thru me.......I hope it worked
Thanks again for your encouragement, Craig
(Had Dobie for almost 12 years and we silll mourn him-Rambo-almost two years after kidney failure did him in; one year later Cat went due to same malady)0 -
Congratulations
It sounds as if your getting used to the bag,I've had mine alittle over 1 1/2 years.It becomes part of your routine after awhile,just like shaving,and it is definitly better than the alternative.Walking is good to start out,I started out walking to the corner,and back[1 block] untill I could do it without resting.Then started walking alittle farther.Now I walk a few miles a day.I lifted weights before also,so if you start again,start easy,and a little light.Good luck,and I hope this helps.You are so right,NEVER GIVE UP.0 -
Nice job Steve and great attitude
I got my colostomy in the fall of 03' before my cancer diagnosis and then after my diagnosis never thought it could be taken down (reversed) so I learned to live with it and accept it. It WAS TOUGH but it's intriguing what us humans can adapt to!!!! Your words about a plastic device adherred to your abdomen rang right in my ear. In the summer of 2005 the night before my quarterly appts we had rain at my house (we were in a serious drought) and I was standing and looking out my front door watching it rain. I needed a shower and had a towel by the door to clean off the paws of my pup and before I knew it I was in the front yard butt naked in the pouring rain (yes my yard is very secluded and there was no lightening) singing, dancing, and talking to the big dude above with my bag just a bouncing up and down off my abdomen and leg. I distinctely remember looking up at my front door and seeing my dog and 2 cats looking out at "mama" like she was an idiot. I wish I had a print of that picture and hope to never lose it in my mind.
The next day I got the first of what has now been almost 5 years of good news, after 2 years of dismal reports. 2 1/2 years after I got the bag I was able to have it taken down but have to say that there are times I can still feel it and actually kind of wish I still had it.
I am very impressed with where your head is after a few months and know you will continue to amaze us all with your progress. FYI I am 55 and know you can beat this and I hope you get to make a decision about keeping it or not. I know some that have chosen to keep there's so in my opinion as long as we have our health "to have or not to have a bag is not the question"!!!!
Keep me posted and thanks for making me remember part of my journey.
Lisa P.0 -
Well,my husband did surgery
Well,my husband did surgery last Sep 2,he has the bag since that day.So you guys both hit the six month at the same time.My husband is doing his 10 of 12 treatments now,after this round,he has 2 more to go.We start seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.I am happy you are doing well and everything is going ok.Wish you the best and good luck with everything.0 -
Hey Steve,
Congrats on the
Hey Steve,
Congrats on the six month milestone. I've my bag just a little over 6 months; so we're on the same time frame. I've always been a large motor skill kind of guy. Chainsaws and soccer balls good - scissors and colostomy bags - bad. I have the small motor skills of a retarded turtle. Add in a little neuropathy from the Oxi and you've got the recipe for a pretty messy situation. (Speaking of the Situation, I wonder how Eric is doing?) I has taken a lot to get used to having my little friend Stewie the Stoma with me, but it is a big part of saving my life. We'll keep fighting this together.
Roger0 -
Congrats
Congrats, baggie buddy! ~ Baloo the Bear
( I think that is going to be me new forums handle from now on to encourage all the ostomates!)0 -
Thanks to all of the above for the encouraging words:RickMurtagh said:Congrats
Congrats, baggie buddy! ~ Baloo the Bear
( I think that is going to be me new forums handle from now on to encourage all the ostomates!)
Probably like yourselves, the moral support (as well as the knowledge) extended here is just as important sometimes as the work of our doctors!!!!!There were times I never thought I'd make it and bluntly-if I didn't have my girlfriend(GF) to take care of, I wouldn't care if I lived or died but she needs me so thats incentive enough to keep living and tolerating the side effects as much as possible. GF is my sole caregiver and sole everything as family (esp brother and sister) have deserted me (expected that after how my/our mother was treated as she was dying in '08.)Its feels good not to be helpless as I had been for sometime during earlier TXs and after op.
Its a big,big change in life/self-image to live with a colostomy bag but the key word is "LIVE". I got tired of being in bed all day watching CSI and Law&Orders; its time to move again and thats what I gotta do.As we're all human, all I can say is: If I can do it, you can do it. Til cancer Dx past May,the the hardest, most difficult thing I did in my life was stop smoking after 35 years of doing it after a DX of COPD in 2000; finally stopped July 11, 2001. Now I'm gonna beat cancer!!!!!!!!
Again thank you all for helping me out; hope I can do the same, if not for you than for others just starting this scary journey. NEVER EVER GIVE UP...Thank you......Steve0 -
new normal
I had my ileostomy for 10 months. Was not prepared for this, I woke up with my ostomy after my resection. My cancerous polyp was lower than my surgeon thought. Mentally it was hard, but I've always been an active person. I soon discovered that I could do anything with the bag on. Outside of learning to change the appliance, I had very little trouble with mine. It was actually pretty freeing at times to not take long in the bathroom. I lifted weights with my ostomy, did heavy yard work, got in hot tub. You can do anything with your bag that you did before. You can take trips, just take your supplies with you. It just takes a little bit of planning. A good book is the ostomy book. I am a 3 year colon cancer survivor. Never give up. Start living life to it's fullest. Do things you've always wanted to do, don't put it off.0 -
Things will keep getting easier
I have had the bag for over a year and in the beginning it was difficult to manage, relied on the wife to change and clean the area. One day she was gone and the bag and appliance needed changing so I had to do it myself and have been doing it eversince. I'm now 70 but lead an active business life and the belt was trouble for me, it pushed against the wafer when I bent over. Then I discovered coveralls and have wore them for the past 6 months and now can do about anything I could before and they hide the bag very well. Best of health to you. Another Steve0 -
Believe it or not, my girlfriend still changes bag(s) for me!!!!steve g said:Things will keep getting easier
I have had the bag for over a year and in the beginning it was difficult to manage, relied on the wife to change and clean the area. One day she was gone and the bag and appliance needed changing so I had to do it myself and have been doing it eversince. I'm now 70 but lead an active business life and the belt was trouble for me, it pushed against the wafer when I bent over. Then I discovered coveralls and have wore them for the past 6 months and now can do about anything I could before and they hide the bag very well. Best of health to you. Another Steve
I use two-piece ConVatec and am thinking about trying to finally remove and replace flange (part that adheres to skin of ab) and bag that holds stool too by myself. Have difficult time removing a bandaid from my arm; when first shown how to apply bag in hospital, both self and GF knew she'd be doing it .As a practical matter, need to be able rto do it alone, as you, Steve G, found out the hard way. Last few times I had her first apply pad that takes adhesive off belly to gluey part of flange and there was no pain so I think soon I'll be able to pull if off myself.
As for pants, I've only warn stuff with drawstrings and I wear long shirts to cover bag which I prefer to let hang down, not tucked into pants, as I don't know when stoma will become productive......Thanks for replying and the sharing of your experience, Steve G;
and yes,AnneCan, as you can see ,without my GF I would not be here today;
and TinyOne, my new "normal" will be a bit different than it was prior but I do intend on making the most of it......Thanking you all for responding; it makes me feel I'm not alone....0 -
you can do itcoloCan said:Believe it or not, my girlfriend still changes bag(s) for me!!!!
I use two-piece ConVatec and am thinking about trying to finally remove and replace flange (part that adheres to skin of ab) and bag that holds stool too by myself. Have difficult time removing a bandaid from my arm; when first shown how to apply bag in hospital, both self and GF knew she'd be doing it .As a practical matter, need to be able rto do it alone, as you, Steve G, found out the hard way. Last few times I had her first apply pad that takes adhesive off belly to gluey part of flange and there was no pain so I think soon I'll be able to pull if off myself.
As for pants, I've only warn stuff with drawstrings and I wear long shirts to cover bag which I prefer to let hang down, not tucked into pants, as I don't know when stoma will become productive......Thanks for replying and the sharing of your experience, Steve G;
and yes,AnneCan, as you can see ,without my GF I would not be here today;
and TinyOne, my new "normal" will be a bit different than it was prior but I do intend on making the most of it......Thanking you all for responding; it makes me feel I'm not alone....
Hey Steve. My wife used to change mine for me too. But the day came when it sprang a leak and I HAD to do it myself. That first bag change (I heve the one peice)wasn't the best but I did it. Now I change them all the time. I know you now perty well and I know if it came down to it you can do it too!!
Brooks and my friend Leaky Sacka Sheet0 -
what you get used tojust4Brooks said:you can do it
Hey Steve. My wife used to change mine for me too. But the day came when it sprang a leak and I HAD to do it myself. That first bag change (I heve the one peice)wasn't the best but I did it. Now I change them all the time. I know you now perty well and I know if it came down to it you can do it too!!
Brooks and my friend Leaky Sacka Sheet
Isn't it funny what you get used to. I could not manage to change mine by myself in the beginning. Now I have even done it in the car in a parking lot after I sprung a leak during a road trip0 -
Congratulations Steve..........RickMurtagh said:what you get used to
Isn't it funny what you get used to. I could not manage to change mine by myself in the beginning. Now I have even done it in the car in a parking lot after I sprung a leak during a road trip
Have bag will travel.......it doesn't slow nothing down...and the plus for me is when Im on the lake fishing and I need to poop I never have to quit fishing. I simply let her rip and keep catching fish. The bag is just a little reminder of the beast we fought and will beat. Its a great way to carry change also, no one borrows any money from me anymore...LOL.....Have a great week buddy.Love Hope and pocketchange...Buzz0 -
The BagBuzzard said:Congratulations Steve..........
Have bag will travel.......it doesn't slow nothing down...and the plus for me is when Im on the lake fishing and I need to poop I never have to quit fishing. I simply let her rip and keep catching fish. The bag is just a little reminder of the beast we fought and will beat. Its a great way to carry change also, no one borrows any money from me anymore...LOL.....Have a great week buddy.Love Hope and pocketchange...Buzz
Ask my husband and he would say he has lived with a bag for years...oh wrong kind of bag Ha,Ha. Way to go Steve at least you are alive....God Bless
Louann0
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