colonoscopy

• By gr8fulgirl
• Reply 3336558
• August 31, 2012 at 12:31 pm
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welcome louwho1. i hope you find, like i have, comfort and support from this group. we have all been where you are - afraid, worried, anxious facing surgery. keep us posted on your journey. we'll be praying for you, pulling for you, sending healing thoughts your way. i hope that you can take some time reading other past posts of how others made it through. we not only get through the surgeries but most often come out the other side super grateful for a better life. that is my wish for you and i'll be keeping you and your surgical team in my prayers as you join us on this road to healing, learning and better living.

what is the date of your surgery? i ask so i (and i believe many others here) can send up giant doses of prayers and / or healing thoughts that day especially.

• By Bana57
• Reply 3336591
• August 31, 2012 at 12:44 pm
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welcome louwho1, I went thru the same fears as you two years ago, had to have colon removed before i could start my chemo and radiation, drs said i would not live thru treatment without it. two years later still going strong, and yes it is challenging and aggravating but i am alive. Will keep you in my prayers and you will be fine. Keep us posted and God Bless

• By dollyme (Inactive)
• Reply 3336702
• August 31, 2012 at 1:29 pm
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Sweet Lou,
I had almost died Last October from a ruptured colon and terrible infection. Much prayer went up for me and here I am to offer up prayer and support for you like all the beautiful people who replied and will reply to you.

We are all in the same boat here and sometimes it is so overwheling for the one who is going through fear and pain and suffering. We are here for you while you are going through this storm. I encourage you from the bottom of my heart you will make it and be pain free before you know it. You will over come and have many more quality years on this earth. I know that prayer paves the way.
Keep us posted
God Bless you
Dolly

• By tjane
• Reply 3337351
• August 31, 2012 at 5:59 pm
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Welcome I have had Crohns for about 40 years. So I know you have had alot of ups and downs in the past. I also learned Crohns usualy hits in you early tweenties and most likely will flare up in your 50s to 60s. Mine sure did. This March was my 3rd ostomy surgery that I have had over the years. This time it is permanate. But a few words of encouragement I feel better. I am dealing with some skin issues but for the overall I fell almost human again for I was so sick before and in so much pain. There cerainly alot of ups and downs with dealing with Crons but I do fell with the Ostomy you will get to a better place. It will not happen over night and it wont happen immediately after surgery because you may have some unforseen issues but it does get better. It is so normal to be afraid and apprehensive before surgery. Keep us posted on your progress and up coming surgery.

• By louwho1
• Reply 3337650
• August 31, 2012 at 8:15 pm
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Thank you. thank you very much. I am so happy to have found this group. It is hard to explain to others the fear and angiety that you go through knowing your new body part will be a bag. I have put this operation off for many years but now that I have an infection and a drain tube out my side, I have no choice. My colon is warn out and is not fuctioning. I just turned 72 and I would like to see my grand-daughter gratuate from high school. I have a appt. with the surgeon Sept. 6th and I am sure the operation will be close afterwards. I will read the posts and I will lake any advise you all can give me......Lou

• By alan41241
• Reply 3338452
• September 1, 2012 at 7:58 am
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Lou, I'm not surprised that you are scared. We all were. I certainly was. I had never had major surgery before and wasn't sure what to expect. I had ileostomy surgery with full colectomy on March 12, 2012. I came through the surgery beautifully. Even my surgeon was amazed. I was in the hospital for eight days and then discharged. I was homebound for six weeks because I had an ostomy nurse who came to see me twice a week and Medicare wouldn't pay for it unless I was homebound. You know, that was the hardest part....being stuck at home for all those weeks. But after six weeks my ostomy nurse discharged me with my blessing. I have had no problems since then. I change my pouch twice a week and empty it several times a day. It has become just something I do like brushing my teeth. I'm aware that it's there but don't dwell on it all the time. The awareness is mostly a protection tool for me. I want to make sure it's okay so I check. You'll learn how to change your pouch from your ostomy nurse. It's a breeze. Nothing to it.
Keep us posted, please. We are all interested in how you're doing.
Blessings,
Alan

• By xxlarry47
• Reply 3339352
• September 1, 2012 at 1:50 pm
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Lou,
I lived and worked with UC for 20+ years and knew every toilet in San Francisco, Seoul, Korea and in-between. Fortunately, my surgery wasn't an emergency but rather a life-style choice. When I retired in 2004, I wanted to go live on a deserted beach somewhere in southern Asia. I didn't want to have to live with bloody underwear, Prednisone and running to the toilet (I knew there weren't going to be any where I was headed.) My doc recommended a surgeon and after discussing it with him, I got a total colectomy. It took me a while to get used to it, but my life has never been better. No more pain, no more running to the bathroom. You are still young enough to fully recover and enjoy the rest of your life with your family. One note - just make sure you get a surgeon that has done LOTS and LOTS of ostomies. Most surgeons will try anything once and if they don't do at least 3 or 4 every week, they really don't know about leaving the right length, closing up everything properly, etc, etc. Anyway, stay in touch and good luck.

• By lilymyiley
• Reply 3339415
• September 1, 2012 at 2:21 pm
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When you meet with your surgeon on the 6th please ask to be seen by an ostomy nurse BEFORE your surgery.
I was able to get some printed information and an example of an appliance from the ostomy nurse at the hospital before I had my surgery. I had the opportunity to ask a ton of questions and have a chance to see and touch the appliance that I would wake up with. It did nothing to take away the fear of going to have life altering surgery, it did not take away the anxiety, it did not take away the sadness I had over losing a huge body part. It did give me a small dose of control and knowledge about what I was facing.

• By alan41241
• Reply 3339669
• September 1, 2012 at 4:12 pm
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Lilymyiley, I saw the ostomy nurse before surgery because she marked me for where the stoma would be located. She tested the spot while I was standing, sitting, and lying down to make sure it was located in the best place for me.
Blessings,
Alan

• By louwho1
• Reply 3339692 · In reply to 3339352 by xxlarry47
• September 1, 2012 at 4:22 pm
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Thank you for the advice about a good surgeon. The one I have has come with good results from other medical professionals. I live in Santa Cruz county and I have know all the clean bathrooms in the whole area.

• By louwho1
• Reply 3341259
• September 2, 2012 at 10:58 am
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I have been reading all the material that has been coming my way through this web sight. I did not realize that I may have to change my style in the cloths I wear. I have a closet full of outfits. I guess after this operation I will just have to down load and find the cloths that I can wear covering my new body part. Reading about blow outs really upsets me. I think I may live in fear, it happening in a public place. I have a few more days until I meet with the Dr. to see when he will operate. I have a list of questions to ask him and I hope he will give me the answers. I am getting very upset as the day draws closer. I have no choice not to have the operation. I am just scared of the unknown....Thank you all, for your advise about everything to do with having a ostomy....

• By lilymyiley
• Reply 3341688
• September 2, 2012 at 1:55 pm
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Yes, you are going to go through some huge changes over the next little while. Don't take them ALL on at the same time. Your recovery will be day to day and you can choose which hurdles you want to challenge at that particular moment. I am quite sure your brain is racing about all the possibilities and tasks that you will have to complete with your SAME body, just a different way to poop.
Just take a few deep breaths, close your eyes, and quiet your mind just for a couple of seconds.
I totally understand the grief at having to perhaps get rid of some of your clothes. I am a clothes horse and was very upset when the ostomy nurse told me that I would have to change my wardrobe. I have been collecting clothes for years and was devastated.
Don't just toss all your old things out. Wait about 6 - 8 weeks after your surgery and you are more sure of which appliance will work for you before weeding out your closet. You may be pleasantly surprised that you are actually able to wear most of your clothes with complete ease. The skinny hipster jeans may have to go though!
I was (and still am to a certain extent) afraid of having a leak in public. I hate when it happens even when I am at home! Working closely with my ostomy nurse though has provided me with an appliance that I can rely on. I wear a Hollister 2 piece context appliance. You will get to know which one works best for you. I NEVER to anywhere without my emergency kit...even just a walk around the block. It provides me with great peace of mind. My new appliance will hold up to a yoga class (twisting and stretching) and yesterday I went for a 2 hour bike ride with no problems at all. Of course I check the seal every time I use the bathroom so if a leak is beginning I can take care of it right away.
I hope that your surgeon can answer all of your questions. When you come up with other questions or concerns please use this site. The ostomates here have so much to give and are a wonderful bunch of people to know.
Don't be afraid to just vent.
I pray that God will hold you in His arms and give you the reassurance that all will be OK.
Michelle

• By alan41241
• Reply 3341689
• September 2, 2012 at 1:55 pm
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We were all scared prior to our surgery. I, for one, had never had major surgery before so I was scared to death. I had no idea what to expect, didn't even know if I would wake up after the surgery. But I did and here I am five months later.
Trust me, you'll be fine. And the fear you spoke of will pass. Nothing to fear about a blowout in public. Just always have a change of clothes with you and a complete pouch system so you can change if necessary. Better to have them and never need them than the other way around.
Blessings,
Alan

• By dollyme (Inactive)
• Reply 3341730
• September 2, 2012 at 2:12 pm
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Lou, You are doing great it is alright to be afraid. you will work it out as you go along with your ostomy. I have had only one blow out coming home from a doctors appointment. I have had many at home when I first got my ostomy but now it is seldom that happens. I pray for you to have this surgery with out any complications and I pray you heal so fast. I pray that you will get adjusted to your new way of living and not even give it a second thought. I also pray for all the doctors and medical team involved in your care have the mind of Christ to do a perfect job on you.
God bless you Lou, please keep us posted
Dolly

• By louwho1
• Reply 3342242 · In reply to 3341688 by lilymyiley
• September 2, 2012 at 6:13 pm
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Thank you so much for your advise. My closet is over run with cloths that I can not wear in one year, both summer and winter. I love a good sale and I just keep buying. I also, like looking my best when I go out. I may be lucker than some of you because I have had a good life enjoy the fun of it all. I am at a age when the body starts to loose the tight look and everything shifts downward. So I say to myself, what is your problem? I may be adding a new part but I am also saving my life to enjoy a few more years. My husband, family and friends will still be there for me and all that matters to them is that I am here for them. I am so thankful for this group.

• By alan41241
• Reply 3342505
• September 2, 2012 at 8:44 pm
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We are all glad you found us. There is nothing we like more than to hear from new people and help where we can.
Blessings,
Alan

• By kouneli
• Reply 3343597
• September 3, 2012 at 9:31 am
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Hi Louwho1: Fear is normal, but you'll find having an ostomy isn't as bad as you imagined. Our imaginations are always worse - it helps make reality a bit easier:-) Ostomy nurses are brilliant and can fix almost any problem you may may have. I agree about the "emergency kit." Never leave home without it! You'll feel more secure and that's a good thing. I've had "Lucifer", my ostomy for nearly 4 years (colon cancer) and I still check to make sure he's "battened down" securely each time I empty. As for clothing, I needed to buy some smaller clothes after my surgery. I have an active ostomy and seem to have topped the scales at 95 or 96 pounds compared to my previous 110-112. Not really a bad thing. You'll find your comfort zone and all will be well. You'll find that you're probably able to do things you couldn't do for years. We're all here for you and will send you prayers and positive energy. cjp

• By KateWorth
• Reply 3346163
• September 4, 2012 at 8:21 am
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My father-in-law has had a colostomy since his twenties. We never really talked about it until this past weekend. He shared the most amazing, heart-warming story about the days leading up to his first procedure. I wrote about it in my blog this week. It’s worth a read for anyone dealing with this emotionally difficult procedure… http://kateworthromance.blogspot.com/

• By kouneli
• Reply 3346358
• September 4, 2012 at 9:43 am
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Hi Kate:
I read your father-ih-law's beautiful story. We all have to remember to thank God (or whoever we thank for things) for being alive and to take joy in all the little things along the way. An ostomy pouch doesn't stop someone from being who they want to be and doing what they want to do, although one of those big black rubber jobbies people used to have to wear would certainly slow you down! I'm thankful for the new appliances and that medical research is improving things for us all the time. Thanks for sharing that story. cjp

• By tnlady
• Reply 3346781
• September 4, 2012 at 12:04 pm
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I loved this story! Max should thank his lucky stars he had/has a strong, emotionally secure wife that would initiate a scenario like this. Kudos to her!