I'm here again...new problems

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VickiCO
VickiCO Member Posts: 917
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi All. Sorry I haven't been around much lately. I have been trying to rebuild my business and get life back on track. For those who don't know me, I was DX'd 10/08, Stage 3 rectal cancer. The tumor was less than 2cm inside the anus. 6 weeks of chemo/radiation, tumor completely responded. Had surgery Feb 4, 09, removed rectum and 12" of colon. Lymph nodes were clear. Surgeon was even amazed he was able to skip the colostomy and hook me back up. Follow up 4 rounds of chemo, finished June 09. Scans are clear- no more cancer. NED. Life should be good, eh? Not so much.

The radiation did more than kill the tumor. It fried my colon. I now have severe ulcerative colitis, and my rectum (the 2 cm's or so that's left) keeps closing down. They call it stenosis. The diarrhea is non-stop. Doesn't matter what I do or do not eat, what meds I take, anything. I simply have lost all control. I am so tired of being housebound, and not being able to sleep more than an hour at a time at night.

My gastro doc and my oncologist both think I should just get a colostomy. I agree. I just wish they had come to that conclusion 8 months ago when I had the surgery. Hindsight is a great tool. I have a consult with the surgeon on November 2. He's the last hurdle. If he agrees with the other docs (and I don't know why he won't) we set a date for surgery.

I can't say I am happy about the colostomy, but I'm surely not happy about my current situation! SO I am back here for encouragement. You all have been so kind to me in the past.

hey Buzzard! I look forward to your advice!

Many hugs, Vicki
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Comments

  • grammadebbie
    grammadebbie Member Posts: 464
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    So Sorry
    Dear Vicki,

    I am so sorry you have been going thru so much. Sounds like you are a real fighter. I know
    "Buzzard" and many of the other "great ones" will have some excellent advise for you. I just wanted to let you know that I will be praying for you. Please let us know how you're doing.

    Blessings to you,

    Debbie (gramma)
  • Buzzard
    Buzzard Member Posts: 3,043 Member
    Options
    and advice you will get.......I knew you couldn't leave me...
    Hi Sweetie,
    I would never tell anyone who is hoping for a reversal or going back to normal if its troublesome to get an ostomy. But!!! Now that you asked. Vicki, If I sincerely didn't think it would change your life I wouldn't even mention it. I have heard all of the stories good and bad about reversals and the trials and tribulations that they go through. Some, to this day are still fighting with reversals simply not to have a bag. If I was 20-30 maybe it might be an issue but im not, I am 55 and my sex life is the only thing that it even starts to get in the way with. I have a wrap that has an opening in it that my pouch goes into and the outside flap of the wrap covers and keeps the pouch in place. It simply keeps the pouch from getting knocked off. The pouch is very accomodating. It is very easily hidden, it is normally changed out completely every other day or so. I do it in my shower. It has become part of my everyday life and I don't worry about chitting in my pants or shirt pocket. I have informed everyone I know about it so that if I happen to "fart" out in public then they are not flabbergasted, they go on as nothing ever happened. I really honestly wouldn't tell you to get one if I didn't think for a minute you will be completely tickled to death with the freedom its going to give you...Its ultimate freedom to go and do whatever you want. Lets face it sweetie, Im never going to be a Chippendale and you won't be pole dancing anytime soon (I don't think) so an ostomy for you and for what freedom it will give you back is to me a dream come true for you. If you pm me your address I will send you a few of the appliances I use so you can put it on just to see what type of things you have to watch for, take a magic marker (just like they do for real) and make a dot on your abdomen about 3 1/2" above your waistline on your left side (same as mine) that is about where the ostomy will come out at I think..You could ask your Dr to show you where but that spot is where they brought it out of me at in the sigmoid area...and the good thing about it, the trial runs don't make ya stink if you make a mistake.....Love ya girl and if you need anything else at all feel free to pm call or holler in here for me. Im always just around the corner. We went through this together as a team, I figure you will be very happy with this decision......I need to know how and what will be done to accomplish this for you. It depends on how they go about it and whether it will be laproscopically done or otherwise...Just lemme know and I will be with ya every step of the way. I really think for you its the right decision....{{{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}}}}}}.......Clift
  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    Options
    Vicki :(
    I've missed you, Vicki

    But I know you've been trying to get your business going, so that's good...I work full time too.

    I am very sorry for what you are going through...radiation did me in too - my onc told me my intestines were like "fried bacon" so I relate to what you are saying, but I'm doing better now...but it took 5 years...I see now why colosotmies are almost the preferred choice. Most medical people freak out when I tell them I don't have one.

    Buzzard is the expert here, so I defer to his wisdom :) He's got you covered.

    Just wanted to reach out and touch you this evening.

    -Craig
  • Shayenne
    Shayenne Member Posts: 2,342
    Options
    Sundanceh said:

    Vicki :(
    I've missed you, Vicki

    But I know you've been trying to get your business going, so that's good...I work full time too.

    I am very sorry for what you are going through...radiation did me in too - my onc told me my intestines were like "fried bacon" so I relate to what you are saying, but I'm doing better now...but it took 5 years...I see now why colosotmies are almost the preferred choice. Most medical people freak out when I tell them I don't have one.

    Buzzard is the expert here, so I defer to his wisdom :) He's got you covered.

    Just wanted to reach out and touch you this evening.

    -Craig

    Awww....
    ....I'm, so sorry to hear about your problems Vicki, I though things were going better for you. I have a temporary colostomy, and am actually scared to have a reversal, I may just end up keeping the bag, it's not so bad, you get used to it, and it actually does have it's advantages, not worrying about stopping somewhere to go, it's gotten too convenient for me.

    I miss swimming though, and wearing certain types of clothes, where I have to hide it, I wear shirts bigger then my usual size, so no one sees or the bump, or it's not hanging out at the end of the shirt. I'm also getting faster putting it on! I don't shower with it on, I like it to be nice and clean all over, and then put a fresh bag on. I don't or really have never made a big deal about having one, it saved my life, though it sure is a huge incision, and take it easy the first weeks of having it, it's a painful incision, especially since I used a wound vac, and when they changed the dressing, it sure wasn't fun, I was in tears each time they took the sponges out, but it gets better.

    Let me know if I can do anything to help, I hope everything is ok, and we're here for you!

    Hugsssss!
    ~Donna
  • Patteee
    Patteee Member Posts: 945
    Options
    Buzzard said:

    and advice you will get.......I knew you couldn't leave me...
    Hi Sweetie,
    I would never tell anyone who is hoping for a reversal or going back to normal if its troublesome to get an ostomy. But!!! Now that you asked. Vicki, If I sincerely didn't think it would change your life I wouldn't even mention it. I have heard all of the stories good and bad about reversals and the trials and tribulations that they go through. Some, to this day are still fighting with reversals simply not to have a bag. If I was 20-30 maybe it might be an issue but im not, I am 55 and my sex life is the only thing that it even starts to get in the way with. I have a wrap that has an opening in it that my pouch goes into and the outside flap of the wrap covers and keeps the pouch in place. It simply keeps the pouch from getting knocked off. The pouch is very accomodating. It is very easily hidden, it is normally changed out completely every other day or so. I do it in my shower. It has become part of my everyday life and I don't worry about chitting in my pants or shirt pocket. I have informed everyone I know about it so that if I happen to "fart" out in public then they are not flabbergasted, they go on as nothing ever happened. I really honestly wouldn't tell you to get one if I didn't think for a minute you will be completely tickled to death with the freedom its going to give you...Its ultimate freedom to go and do whatever you want. Lets face it sweetie, Im never going to be a Chippendale and you won't be pole dancing anytime soon (I don't think) so an ostomy for you and for what freedom it will give you back is to me a dream come true for you. If you pm me your address I will send you a few of the appliances I use so you can put it on just to see what type of things you have to watch for, take a magic marker (just like they do for real) and make a dot on your abdomen about 3 1/2" above your waistline on your left side (same as mine) that is about where the ostomy will come out at I think..You could ask your Dr to show you where but that spot is where they brought it out of me at in the sigmoid area...and the good thing about it, the trial runs don't make ya stink if you make a mistake.....Love ya girl and if you need anything else at all feel free to pm call or holler in here for me. Im always just around the corner. We went through this together as a team, I figure you will be very happy with this decision......I need to know how and what will be done to accomplish this for you. It depends on how they go about it and whether it will be laproscopically done or otherwise...Just lemme know and I will be with ya every step of the way. I really think for you its the right decision....{{{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}}}}}}.......Clift

    Ya know buzzy- I really
    Ya know buzzy- I really appreciate your posts. You are so kind, so down to earth and you just make the very best of any situation and that is so so cool. Thank you

    And Vicki- having had a temporary colostomy, I will stand here with others and tell you it is not the best thing in the world to have, but it definitely is not the worse. When I was in for the takedown, my roommate was in for the initial colostomy- she like you had been homebound due to colotis for years- a new doctor in her small town of Missouri convinced her to travel to Mayo and have a colostomy. She was so excited, just thrilled with the chance of having her life back! One of the first questions she asked me is why I was having it reversed? My only response at the time was, because I can. But the question kinda threw me, indeed just exactly why was I having it reversed? To be normal again? But really, the normal part was just a mind thing, cause I definitely felt and looked very normal, I just tolieted differently. For me it was reclaiming my life again- cancer robbed me of precious time and took a huge chunk of me- the reversal put me back in the driver's seat and gave me back my life. I want to encourage you to view your future colostomy as doing just that- viewing what cancer took from you and continues to take from you by forcing you homebound. That the colostomy means that you, Vicki, are back in control of your life, not the cancer, but YOU. :)
  • Buzzard
    Buzzard Member Posts: 3,043 Member
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    Patteee said:

    Ya know buzzy- I really
    Ya know buzzy- I really appreciate your posts. You are so kind, so down to earth and you just make the very best of any situation and that is so so cool. Thank you

    And Vicki- having had a temporary colostomy, I will stand here with others and tell you it is not the best thing in the world to have, but it definitely is not the worse. When I was in for the takedown, my roommate was in for the initial colostomy- she like you had been homebound due to colotis for years- a new doctor in her small town of Missouri convinced her to travel to Mayo and have a colostomy. She was so excited, just thrilled with the chance of having her life back! One of the first questions she asked me is why I was having it reversed? My only response at the time was, because I can. But the question kinda threw me, indeed just exactly why was I having it reversed? To be normal again? But really, the normal part was just a mind thing, cause I definitely felt and looked very normal, I just tolieted differently. For me it was reclaiming my life again- cancer robbed me of precious time and took a huge chunk of me- the reversal put me back in the driver's seat and gave me back my life. I want to encourage you to view your future colostomy as doing just that- viewing what cancer took from you and continues to take from you by forcing you homebound. That the colostomy means that you, Vicki, are back in control of your life, not the cancer, but YOU. :)

    Patteee
    I had a very dear friend (girl) that passed away last year from brain cancer...She always called me buzzy.....Thank you, you brought back some very pleasant memories for me and a tear to boot...Feels good to think about her, and others I care about in here....Clift
  • VickiCO
    VickiCO Member Posts: 917
    Options
    Buzzard said:

    and advice you will get.......I knew you couldn't leave me...
    Hi Sweetie,
    I would never tell anyone who is hoping for a reversal or going back to normal if its troublesome to get an ostomy. But!!! Now that you asked. Vicki, If I sincerely didn't think it would change your life I wouldn't even mention it. I have heard all of the stories good and bad about reversals and the trials and tribulations that they go through. Some, to this day are still fighting with reversals simply not to have a bag. If I was 20-30 maybe it might be an issue but im not, I am 55 and my sex life is the only thing that it even starts to get in the way with. I have a wrap that has an opening in it that my pouch goes into and the outside flap of the wrap covers and keeps the pouch in place. It simply keeps the pouch from getting knocked off. The pouch is very accomodating. It is very easily hidden, it is normally changed out completely every other day or so. I do it in my shower. It has become part of my everyday life and I don't worry about chitting in my pants or shirt pocket. I have informed everyone I know about it so that if I happen to "fart" out in public then they are not flabbergasted, they go on as nothing ever happened. I really honestly wouldn't tell you to get one if I didn't think for a minute you will be completely tickled to death with the freedom its going to give you...Its ultimate freedom to go and do whatever you want. Lets face it sweetie, Im never going to be a Chippendale and you won't be pole dancing anytime soon (I don't think) so an ostomy for you and for what freedom it will give you back is to me a dream come true for you. If you pm me your address I will send you a few of the appliances I use so you can put it on just to see what type of things you have to watch for, take a magic marker (just like they do for real) and make a dot on your abdomen about 3 1/2" above your waistline on your left side (same as mine) that is about where the ostomy will come out at I think..You could ask your Dr to show you where but that spot is where they brought it out of me at in the sigmoid area...and the good thing about it, the trial runs don't make ya stink if you make a mistake.....Love ya girl and if you need anything else at all feel free to pm call or holler in here for me. Im always just around the corner. We went through this together as a team, I figure you will be very happy with this decision......I need to know how and what will be done to accomplish this for you. It depends on how they go about it and whether it will be laproscopically done or otherwise...Just lemme know and I will be with ya every step of the way. I really think for you its the right decision....{{{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}}}}}}.......Clift

    Thanks Buddy

    I did go through the training before my surgery, as everyone thought I would have a colostomy then. I wore the bag all weekend, got marked by the ostomy nurse, etc. So I kinda know what to expect. And yes, I am looking forward to the freedom.

    No more pole dancing? My husband is bummed! 8^)

    I will keep you informed. I won't know much else until I see the doc on Nov 2. In the meantime, I have to have a mammogram and a chest Xray (I pulled something on my ribcage the other day and it hurts like the dickens!)

    And thanks to everyone else. I really missed you all. Nose to the grindstone be dammed, I'll stay here again.

    Many hugs, Vicki
  • tootsie1
    tootsie1 Member Posts: 5,044 Member
    Options
    Oh, dear
    Vicki,

    I'm so sorry about this. Sounds like you've been having a horrible time! I hope you can go ahead and get the colostomy and have a life where you can go out and do things again.

    *hugs*
    Gail
  • angelsbaby
    angelsbaby Member Posts: 1,165 Member
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    tootsie1 said:

    Oh, dear
    Vicki,

    I'm so sorry about this. Sounds like you've been having a horrible time! I hope you can go ahead and get the colostomy and have a life where you can go out and do things again.

    *hugs*
    Gail

    Vicki
    I hope all goes well I am sorry. Like buzzard said it will give you freedom . I doing the best that i can. Take care hugs to you

    michelle
  • Janet3
    Janet3 Member Posts: 59
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    Shayenne said:

    Awww....
    ....I'm, so sorry to hear about your problems Vicki, I though things were going better for you. I have a temporary colostomy, and am actually scared to have a reversal, I may just end up keeping the bag, it's not so bad, you get used to it, and it actually does have it's advantages, not worrying about stopping somewhere to go, it's gotten too convenient for me.

    I miss swimming though, and wearing certain types of clothes, where I have to hide it, I wear shirts bigger then my usual size, so no one sees or the bump, or it's not hanging out at the end of the shirt. I'm also getting faster putting it on! I don't shower with it on, I like it to be nice and clean all over, and then put a fresh bag on. I don't or really have never made a big deal about having one, it saved my life, though it sure is a huge incision, and take it easy the first weeks of having it, it's a painful incision, especially since I used a wound vac, and when they changed the dressing, it sure wasn't fun, I was in tears each time they took the sponges out, but it gets better.

    Let me know if I can do anything to help, I hope everything is ok, and we're here for you!

    Hugsssss!
    ~Donna

    No swimming?
    Why no swimming. My mom recently dx Stage IV, colostomy not an option for her. However, my dad got a colostomy 7 years ago and swims all the time. Just wondering if this is a personal thing for you or if dr told no swimming. Just being a little nosy I guess.\
    Janet
  • Shayenne
    Shayenne Member Posts: 2,342
    Options
    Janet3 said:

    No swimming?
    Why no swimming. My mom recently dx Stage IV, colostomy not an option for her. However, my dad got a colostomy 7 years ago and swims all the time. Just wondering if this is a personal thing for you or if dr told no swimming. Just being a little nosy I guess.\
    Janet

    Yeah.....
    ...I think it's more of a personal thing for me, not wanting people to see it and get grossed out of it, afraid of it breaking or falling off in the pool, I wouldn't mind if I had my own pool, but don't want to do it in public, it's just a thing for me, I know lots of people do swim with it, I just still feel weird about it, trying to wear a bathing suit and it being seen, I know I'm strange!

    Hugssss!
    ~Donna
  • kristasplace
    kristasplace Member Posts: 957 Member
    Options
    Colostomy
    Hi Vicki! I'm so sorry about the stenosis. I was hoping your last dilation would solve the problem, but after being dilated four times myself, it seems these closures are more stubborn than we want to believe.

    I don't want to get your hopes up without concrete evidence in my hand, but finding a way to heal myself completely with diet has become an obsession for me. I recently emailed David Wolfe for his recommendations on how i can get my body to reabsorb the stricture. Put a question out there, and answers will come! Many of my friend's co-worker's have already made a suggestion that could help. I want you to research it. It's called MSM, and it supposedly shrinks scar tissue. I don't know the recommend amount, or anything else about it yet since i just put this question out there yesterday. I just came off a six day cleanse yesterday, and i'm very worried about how my bowel movements are going to be with solid food again. They were feeling strictured the last time. During the cleanse, the bowel movements were nothing but mucoid plaque and gastric juices which was not painful, or strictured in any way.

    I definitely understand where you are. Three weeks ago i was more than ready to get another ostomy after suffering for months with the stricture. Things are different now, which is why i'm so convinced there is another way.

    I have a comment about swimming with an ostomy. I don't know if Donna has an ileostomy, or a colostomy. I had an ileostomy, and i also hated to swim with it. Unfortunately swimming is my favorite thing to do, and it made swimming hell. It would threaten to come off in the water (one time it did, and it was horrific), and you can't really wear a bathing suit with an ileostomy, so you could see the bag under my shorts. Colostomies can sometimes remove the bag completely, and use a wrap, or belt to swim. Ileostomies are watery and you can't control, or even notice sometimes, when you're having a movement.

    Anyway, those are my two cents!

    Much love and many hugs,
    Krista
  • Shayenne
    Shayenne Member Posts: 2,342
    Options

    Colostomy
    Hi Vicki! I'm so sorry about the stenosis. I was hoping your last dilation would solve the problem, but after being dilated four times myself, it seems these closures are more stubborn than we want to believe.

    I don't want to get your hopes up without concrete evidence in my hand, but finding a way to heal myself completely with diet has become an obsession for me. I recently emailed David Wolfe for his recommendations on how i can get my body to reabsorb the stricture. Put a question out there, and answers will come! Many of my friend's co-worker's have already made a suggestion that could help. I want you to research it. It's called MSM, and it supposedly shrinks scar tissue. I don't know the recommend amount, or anything else about it yet since i just put this question out there yesterday. I just came off a six day cleanse yesterday, and i'm very worried about how my bowel movements are going to be with solid food again. They were feeling strictured the last time. During the cleanse, the bowel movements were nothing but mucoid plaque and gastric juices which was not painful, or strictured in any way.

    I definitely understand where you are. Three weeks ago i was more than ready to get another ostomy after suffering for months with the stricture. Things are different now, which is why i'm so convinced there is another way.

    I have a comment about swimming with an ostomy. I don't know if Donna has an ileostomy, or a colostomy. I had an ileostomy, and i also hated to swim with it. Unfortunately swimming is my favorite thing to do, and it made swimming hell. It would threaten to come off in the water (one time it did, and it was horrific), and you can't really wear a bathing suit with an ileostomy, so you could see the bag under my shorts. Colostomies can sometimes remove the bag completely, and use a wrap, or belt to swim. Ileostomies are watery and you can't control, or even notice sometimes, when you're having a movement.

    Anyway, those are my two cents!

    Much love and many hugs,
    Krista

    I have...
    ... a Colostomy, and alot of times the stools are real loose too, and it would be horrific to me as well if I saw it floating away somewhere near a small child or something and seeing him/her screaming at it, and I love to swim as well :(

    Hugsss!
    ~Donna
  • VickiCO
    VickiCO Member Posts: 917
    Options

    Colostomy
    Hi Vicki! I'm so sorry about the stenosis. I was hoping your last dilation would solve the problem, but after being dilated four times myself, it seems these closures are more stubborn than we want to believe.

    I don't want to get your hopes up without concrete evidence in my hand, but finding a way to heal myself completely with diet has become an obsession for me. I recently emailed David Wolfe for his recommendations on how i can get my body to reabsorb the stricture. Put a question out there, and answers will come! Many of my friend's co-worker's have already made a suggestion that could help. I want you to research it. It's called MSM, and it supposedly shrinks scar tissue. I don't know the recommend amount, or anything else about it yet since i just put this question out there yesterday. I just came off a six day cleanse yesterday, and i'm very worried about how my bowel movements are going to be with solid food again. They were feeling strictured the last time. During the cleanse, the bowel movements were nothing but mucoid plaque and gastric juices which was not painful, or strictured in any way.

    I definitely understand where you are. Three weeks ago i was more than ready to get another ostomy after suffering for months with the stricture. Things are different now, which is why i'm so convinced there is another way.

    I have a comment about swimming with an ostomy. I don't know if Donna has an ileostomy, or a colostomy. I had an ileostomy, and i also hated to swim with it. Unfortunately swimming is my favorite thing to do, and it made swimming hell. It would threaten to come off in the water (one time it did, and it was horrific), and you can't really wear a bathing suit with an ileostomy, so you could see the bag under my shorts. Colostomies can sometimes remove the bag completely, and use a wrap, or belt to swim. Ileostomies are watery and you can't control, or even notice sometimes, when you're having a movement.

    Anyway, those are my two cents!

    Much love and many hugs,
    Krista

    Thanks Krista
    Unfortunately my problems aren't exactly related to food...except for the fact that food causes poo...and you know the rest! My issues are the colon itself is so damaged that it just won't heal and do the proper job. There isn't any rectal tissue left to try again, therefore the colostomy. It's not scar tissue - it's radiation burns. I am really OK with my decision. It will be one more step toward a new normal. Bottom line is, the radiation saved my life, even if it left a few problems behind (pun intended!)

    As for swimming - I am with Donna. My daughter's in-laws have a pool, and they invited me to use it privately when no one else is there. But I just can't imagine what would happen if I had a diarrhea attack while swimming in their pool! I never know when it hits, and it's instantaneous, no warning. I have about 30 seconds to get to a bathroom. I feel the same about swimming with the colostomy, but we'll have to see once I've gone down that road.

    Now to wait a month to see the surgeon, and we'll get on with life!

    Vicki
  • VickiCO
    VickiCO Member Posts: 917
    Options
    Sundanceh said:

    Vicki :(
    I've missed you, Vicki

    But I know you've been trying to get your business going, so that's good...I work full time too.

    I am very sorry for what you are going through...radiation did me in too - my onc told me my intestines were like "fried bacon" so I relate to what you are saying, but I'm doing better now...but it took 5 years...I see now why colosotmies are almost the preferred choice. Most medical people freak out when I tell them I don't have one.

    Buzzard is the expert here, so I defer to his wisdom :) He's got you covered.

    Just wanted to reach out and touch you this evening.

    -Craig

    Craig
    Thanks for your kind words. I've missed you guys as well. I kind of threw myself back into work and just recently came up for air.

    Many hugs....Vicki
  • sheri22
    sheri22 Member Posts: 273
    Options
    VickiCO said:

    Thanks Krista
    Unfortunately my problems aren't exactly related to food...except for the fact that food causes poo...and you know the rest! My issues are the colon itself is so damaged that it just won't heal and do the proper job. There isn't any rectal tissue left to try again, therefore the colostomy. It's not scar tissue - it's radiation burns. I am really OK with my decision. It will be one more step toward a new normal. Bottom line is, the radiation saved my life, even if it left a few problems behind (pun intended!)

    As for swimming - I am with Donna. My daughter's in-laws have a pool, and they invited me to use it privately when no one else is there. But I just can't imagine what would happen if I had a diarrhea attack while swimming in their pool! I never know when it hits, and it's instantaneous, no warning. I have about 30 seconds to get to a bathroom. I feel the same about swimming with the colostomy, but we'll have to see once I've gone down that road.

    Now to wait a month to see the surgeon, and we'll get on with life!

    Vicki

    sorry you are going thru this
    Vicki

    I had to post when I seen you were having problems, I wish you didnt have to wait so long for surgery but I guess your Dr knows best, I really don,t have any advice, I can only say you can do it, you already know that though, I will be thinking about you sending you good vibes and prayers, if it helps you to know it is ok to get the colostomy wet
    I work in a nursing home and have given peple a whirlpool bath with one on and I havent seen one fall off yet from getting wet, as far as wearing a swimsuit with the right 2 piece nobody will even know it is there unless you forget to burp it, anyways good luck and take care

    Sheri22
  • Mike49
    Mike49 Member Posts: 261
    Options
    Hope you find relief
    Sorry about the setback, I understand the desire to return to work. I am sorry to hear of this setback
  • Shayenne
    Shayenne Member Posts: 2,342
    Options
    sheri22 said:

    sorry you are going thru this
    Vicki

    I had to post when I seen you were having problems, I wish you didnt have to wait so long for surgery but I guess your Dr knows best, I really don,t have any advice, I can only say you can do it, you already know that though, I will be thinking about you sending you good vibes and prayers, if it helps you to know it is ok to get the colostomy wet
    I work in a nursing home and have given peple a whirlpool bath with one on and I havent seen one fall off yet from getting wet, as far as wearing a swimsuit with the right 2 piece nobody will even know it is there unless you forget to burp it, anyways good luck and take care

    Sheri22

    The.....
    ...Hospital I worked at with pool therapy, at a Wellness Center wouldn't let colostomy/ileostomies in their pool because it was listed as "Unsanitary" in which even included wounds and that kind of nature, if something should happen, it's alot of work and money fixing it.

    Hugsss!
    ~Donna
  • Kathleen808
    Kathleen808 Member Posts: 2,342 Member
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    Vicki
    Hi Vicki,

    I know you are in the right place for support on this issue. So many on the board have colostomies and they all talk about their very full lives.

    I'm thinking of you Vicki. I think once your used to it you enjoy having your life back and the freedom to go and do what you want.

    Aloha,
    Kathleen
  • lmliess
    lmliess Member Posts: 329
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    Vicki
    Hi Vicki,

    I know you are in the right place for support on this issue. So many on the board have colostomies and they all talk about their very full lives.

    I'm thinking of you Vicki. I think once your used to it you enjoy having your life back and the freedom to go and do what you want.

    Aloha,
    Kathleen

    My 2 cents
    I am sorry to hear about your issues. For what it is worth, I am 38 and 6 monthes out from my colostomy surgery. At first ?I was a bit depressed. I knew this was saving my life but I thought how am I going to pull this off so no one knows? How am I ever going to be able to dress 'in style' again? Well...tonight my husband and I went to a wine tasting event. I got dressed up and even wore a fitted dress. No one knew about the ostomy! The appliances they have know are wonderful in being discreet. And it is amazing how a pair of tights under a dress can slim you! The thing is you do heal over time and you get used to it. it just becomes part of you. I have a love/hate relationship with mine...well I can't say i hate it, it just annoys me at times. But then again I can go anywhere and do anything and not be confined to a bathroom. I am starting to get more active so i can honestly say this has not held me back at all. And i work full time and no one even knows at work. So in my opinion, I would take that over running to and from the bathroom. just allow yourself to get used to it with time. My husband has even mentioned he can't tell and sometimes forgets (weird I know?) that I have one.
    Hang in there!!