Anyone Else?

• By Idahoeagle
• Reply 3487656
• October 25, 2012 at 9:40 am
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Kwolf,
I would Love to be in your shoes. I'd had this thing reversed straight away, if I could. Mine's permanent and it's a colostomy.
Anyway That being said, I would think it is up to you. If you are getting along with it then maybe you could do it at a later date.
I would think about the complications of the dating scene, being single, and the expense of the supplies, etc, etc, as well.
Not much more I can add here. More folks will be along to give you more insight I'm sure.
However I'm glad to hear that you got this ostomy thing somewhat under control. It took me a while and I still hate it and probably always will.
Here's wishing you well on your decision.
Michael

• By Chriswife
• Reply 3488182
• October 25, 2012 at 12:09 pm
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Hi Kwolf?

I have a permanent colostomy due to rectal cancer. The surgeon said she could try to reattach or I could just do the permanent colostomy. I chose permanent, pretty much for the same reason you said. The time it takes to get the second surgery, and also not every reattachment is successful. I am good with the decision I made and think that I did what was best for me and my family. Only you can answer the question of whether or not you want to keep the ostomy and unless the surgeon tells you there is a time limit, just take your time to make the decision. Whatever you decide, good luck and best wishes go out to you:)

Kerri

• By Cee_Cee
• Reply 3489176
• October 25, 2012 at 5:37 pm
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I had a colostomy because my cancer had just about completely closed my colon off. When they did my tumor reduction, they reversed it. I lived with the colostomy for 5 months, it made me self-conscious and was always on my mind when I was in public -- but I never had it long enough to get used to it. If you don't mind having it all that much and are used to it, I would say don't rush into the reversal surgery -- after all, there is no harm in waiting.

• By kwolff75
• Reply 3489766
• October 25, 2012 at 9:15 pm
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Thanks,its not that I like having it,or that I am not self conscious about it,but more the fact that as a single mom,I am the only person that my kids can rely on to take them to sports practice,school activities and multiple doctor appts (all 3 of my kids have multiple health problems from asthma to epilepsy). So I just can't take and be layed up right now. I would love to poop normal again,but my kids come first right now,and my health is great right now (I feel physicaly the best I have felt in yrs).

• By JRo12
• Reply 3489859
• October 25, 2012 at 9:50 pm
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Hi KWolff,

I am unsure of what you are asking, so I must ask, are you looking for reasons to keep it, or are you looking for reasons to have the surgery? Because I could talk about both. I had in 2002 the illeostomy surgery and then take down 3 months later. 2012 I ended up with a permanent Illeostomy. Now this is just me, and only me, BUT if I was in your situation, and I had the children to take care of that you do, with the issues they have I wouldn't have the take down surgery just yet, anyway. It did not go well for me, and I don't think there is for you "pooping Normal" again. In MY situation I would have never been able to keep up with the kids, I had so many accidents, cramping and pain thru out the years it was not worth it to me and wished I would have just stayed with the permanent. I also went thru so much toilet paper I should have bought stock. Don't get me wrong, I didn't have a tough time the whole time, but the freedom and feeling I have now compared to then is an incredible difference. The only thing holding me back from having the permanent was how I looked and well money ( fear of not having insurance to afford my supplies). I go back and forth on telling you this, and I hope that there is someone out there who can give you a story of great success after their take down, but I only feel that you deserve an honest answer and I only tell you this because, if you are doing well right now and are ok with the bag why rush in to something when you have the time to decide? When it comes down to it, if you really, really wanted to do it would there be someone there to help you? I mean what would happen if you ended up in the emergency room tomorrow and in the hospital for a month who would be taking care of the kids?

I just think you might be ok with how you are doing now and that might be something to think about. BUT please know that everyone is different like I said above. I just want you to have all the information you can because it sounds like you have a lot going on in your life right now with out having to add to it. Only you know your body though and knows what's best. I on the other hand am a very different species. My Doctor knew my body better then mine, it took him two years to convince me to do the permanent Illeostomy.

I wish you and your family the best and let me know if there is anything I can do. Do you happen to live in WI? If I was close by I could help. I love children. Hope this somewhat helped with no harm done.

Have a great night.

JRo

If you have any other questions or concerns please ask. I don't know if I will have the answer you are looking for but I will try.

• By Whzbang
• Reply 3490766
• October 26, 2012 at 8:37 am
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Dear Kwolff,
There are some really good answers here already. Given your situation with your kids I can certainly understand your dilemma! I had a reversal 8 weeks ago (not a keyhole procedure) and am now back to normal as before the colostomy. From my experience, though, it was a bigger operation than the first one with more pain. My husband was able to completely take over with household stuff as I was pretty much good for nothing for at least three weeks. After six weeks I was driving, working a bit in the yard, and for the most part able to keep up with everything as before. In hindsight, those 6-8 weeks were short, but without a partner or caretaker, I don't know how I could have managed! It sounds like you have a lot of obligations with your kids so it really boils down to whether or not you will have help available. Everyone is different in the way they bounce back, but all if us here know that major surgery requires several weeks of down time. The right answer for you is the one YOU are most comfortable with.
Blessings,
Cindy

• By herbsgal70
• Reply 3491024
• October 26, 2012 at 10:03 am
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kwolff - the others have given you quite a lot to think of - I understand your position - you are young, with children to take care of, and a long life ahead of you. I had my ileostomy surgery in December, and had the option of reversal surgery, but was told I would then have a colostomy and probably still retain the ileostomy, so I opted, at age 80, to just live with what I have. You must not be in too much discomfort if you can put off surgery until after the holidays, and hope you make the right decision for you.

Love and hugs from Marge

• By Mare5785
• Reply 3492391
• October 26, 2012 at 7:07 pm
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Hi Kwolf....
What resonated with me while reading your post was your last comment... "and my health is great right now (I feel physicaly the best I have felt in yrs)." What does that say???

I read your profile and your other post.. saw that you had an abcess... Was that due from the intestine... You said "damaged bowel".. Did they diagnose you with Crohn's or Colitis?

You have a lot to think about and I admire your thoughts and concerns.. I too was a single mom.. but. I only had one child. His Dad lived in the area within 10 miles.. so I could sometimes get him to do somethings.. Is the Dad involved at all with the kids?
I know, as I have been there and wanted to do it ALL myself... but.. looking back.. I wish I had been kinder to myself.. and asked other parents to possibly drive my son to events. Is that a possibility? It's not a sign of weakness to ask for help.. It's a sign of strength that we realize we can't do it all alone.

Hope you continue to feel great.. and that life will get a bit easier for you. Blessings and prayers to you and your children.
Mare