In 30 days I'm having a cancer mass, and some intestine and colon removed including my ceum valve.

LA_Ray -
The first thing on your list, is to have the surgeon and Wound/Ostomy nurse
mark out the best possible spot for both a Colostomy stoma, and an Ileostomy stoma.

It is imperative that you do that in advance of -any- major abdominal surgery.

The stoma length should be between 3/4 inch and 1 inch. That protrusion
is called a "spout" and is necessary for a well working ostomy.

The placement should be approximately 4" to the side of the navel,
and approximately 4" below the belt line. That will allow you to wear
your clothes normally as you have prior to the ostomy.

The WOCN (Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurse) will assist
in locating the best spot to suit your needs.

Please do not neglect to take the measures as outlined above.

It does not matter if you feel you need an ostomy or not, or if you
desire to live with an ostomy or not.

It does not matter if the surgeon advises you that you will absolutely
not wake up with a stoma.

I personally can not remember or count, the amount of colorectal
patients that woke up with an unexpected stoma in a spot that
made their life hell.

Take this precaution; make the appointment and insist it is done.

Next......

The removal of:
"some intestine and colon removed including my ceum valve."

Removal of any section of the -small intestine- "usually" results with
the intestine's inability to absorb specific necessary nutrients,
minerals or vitamins.

In my case, the section that absorbs magnesium has been removed,
making it necessary to take it daily via I.V. (PICC) line infusion.

The "ceum valve" I think you are referring to, is called an Ileocecal
valve. It is responsible for two things:
1. Helps prevent bacteria from going backwards from the colon and into the ileum.
2. It is used as an additional control valve to regulate the flow of "product"
from the Ileum into the colon.

Without that valve, and a lesser amount of both small and large intestine,
the transit rate (flow) will "usually" be much faster than it's ever been before.

Without an ostomy, the conditions "may" resemble diarrhea. Your discharge
"may" be more acidic (since the colon neutralizes the acid), giving you a
"burning, watery discharge" without the complete colon intact.

Be aware that any major abdominal surgery usually causes adhesions
and hernias to form. An adhesion is the growing together of the surfaces
of the intestine, and from the intestine to other organs. It is part of the normal
healing process, since the body is attempting to repair and put everything
back where it belongs. Unfortunately, an adhesion can restrict an organ
(most usually the intestine), by restricting it's free movement inside your
abdomen. Any "kink" or too tight of a bend, can cause an intestinal blockage.

The phenomena does not occur immediately, often taking two to three
years after surgery to be become a problem. However, there may be associated
pain while they form.

Hernias happen after the muscles are cut to access the abdominal cavity.
There will be weakened spots after surgery, and the lifting of no more than
20 pounds initially, will be required. But hernias happen anyway after
all that invasive surgery. And again, it can take two to three years after
surgery to become a noticeable problem. A hernia can also cause an intestinal
blockage, if part of the intestine gets caught between the muscles.

Note, that there is a special "packing" that the surgeon can use to help avoid
some adhesions and hernias; ask about them.

The healing time for major abdominal surgery is usually around 6 months
for the surgical wound itself to heal over, and about a year or more for
a more complete heal of everything that's been monkeyed with.

Ok, now for the good things:
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If you have any questions, I will be happy to attempt to answer, but you
would be wiser to ask the WOCN and surgeon.

DO NOT be afraid to postpone your appointment and seek other opinions.

Any decent physician welcomes other opinions, since they often provide
knowledge of new techniques that they hadn't had time to explore.

My best to you (and if I can think of anything good about this, I'll drop you a line)

You'll be OK. knowledge is power.

John