HERNIA REPAIR AND ILEOSTOMY REVERSAL

I was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer with mets to the liver in fall, 2013.  I ended up with surgical removal of two cancerous polyps, followed by six rounds of chemo and an iliostomy when the reconnection blew (sepsis) after I got home.  Emergency surgery fixed that one.  A year later the larger lobe of my liver was removed, and an attempted reconnection during that operation failed again (sepsis) and I almost died (for the second time).  

Wound healing from the liver resection took forever and now, a year later, I've ended up with a large hernia that runs clear across my abdomen just under the rib cage and below the incision they made to remove the larger liver lobe.  I have referred to my hernia as the foothills of the rocky mountains, because that's what it looks like when I glance down at my abdomen.  To go walking I have to wear a hernia belt, otherwise I don't have the strength to make it very far.

Last week I consulted with my surgeon and asked about the possibility of a hernia repair and yet another stab at getting my intestines up and running again.  She said that the reconnection was "technically possible,"but that she felt just a bit nervous given my history of infection and sepsis.  Still, she said that she would go ahead with it.  I feel the same sense of nervousness, but would also like to have it done.  

The hernia was also something she was willing to tackle, with the assistance of a plastic surgeon colleague.  She described how they would insert a biologic mesh (strattice, worth some $14,000) into my abdomen that would eventually grow cells (not sure how that works) and eventually act as a barrier to eliminate this large protrusion I have (which I believe is my small intestine pressing up against my belly like it's trying to escape).

I have yet to meet with the plastic surgeon and am wanting to formulate some questions to ask about these procedures.  My dilemma is really whether I should have both these procedurs done at the same time or to separate them by, let's say, six months to a year.  And following on that, if that's what I decide, which should I have done first.  Someone has suggested I just live with both these conditions, but they're not walking in my shoes so don't really know what it's like.  The bag I think I can live with, although it's reassuring to know that a reconnection is possible.  But the hernia is like a real intrusion into my life as I enjoy walking and hiking the backcountry.  Color me uncertain. 

I would appreciate any comments, opinions, and any descriptions others might have of their experiences with these kinds of difficulties and operations.  I look forward to any and all ideas and suggestions.

PS: All tumor marker tests and CT scans have failed to turn up any sign of cancer so far.