What a difference a day makes!

• By ReneG
• Reply 3493275
• October 27, 2012 at 7:26 am
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Happy anniversary......it's better than the alternative. I've got two months to go until my one year anniversary. Do you feel you've learned to cope with it, and living with it has become just another part of day to day living?

• By alan41241
• Reply 3493328
• October 27, 2012 at 8:07 am
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JSR, happy anniversary!! I glad you made it. I'm also glad your wound has healed. Good luck on that reversal.
Blessings,
Alan

• By herbsgal70
• Reply 3493338
• October 27, 2012 at 8:11 am
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Welcome to our ostomy "family" JSR - and Happy Anniversary - I will be one year with my ileostomy in December - spent last Christmas and New Years in the hospital - the nurses brought me a glass of ginger ale at midnight! I have been coping well and will not have a reversal - I am 80 years old and do not need to have any more life-threatening surgery, if possible. Surgeon also told me I would have a colostomy and probably still keep the ileostomy - that was enough to make up my mind! Taking care of "Buddy" has become like brushing my teeth - just something I have to do every 3 days. My colon perforated during a failed colonoscopy and I don't remember anything after I got to the emergency room and woke up 2 days later from a medically-induced coma because I was in shock - and discovered I had an ileostomy - something I had never even heard of before. Just glad to be alive, able to play a little golf, and enjoy life with my husband and family.

Love and hugs from Marge

• By tjane
• Reply 3493438
• October 27, 2012 at 8:52 am
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Happy Anniversary. I am 7 months out so just past the half year mark. xox terri

• By Mare5785
• Reply 3493499
• October 27, 2012 at 9:14 am
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Hi JSR,
Happy Anniversary!! And happy that you are here to celebrate that anniversary!!! The worst is behind you.. Good luck with moving towards reversal!
I have had my ileostomy for 26 years.. it is almost half of my lifetime!

Did they have any explanation as to why your bowel obstructed? Crohn's or colitis or another problem?

Celebrate Life Today!!!
Mare

• By Bergy
• Reply 3494130
• October 27, 2012 at 1:57 pm
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Congratulations! I'm a colorectal cancer survivor and have had a colostomy for 16 3/4 years. May you cherish every moment of your new life.

• By barbiejf
• Reply 3494384
• October 27, 2012 at 3:42 pm
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It's almost 8 years since my surgery removing all my colon, due to rupture, and it sure solved alot of my problems. My illiostomy works just fine and I am truly blessed. I can eat whatever I want and have no cramps and manage very well. Lately I have developed a hernia under the stoma, but not bad enough to think of surgery at my age of 81. Would a belt help? Is this going to get worse? I exercise and lead a pretty active life, Thank you God.

• By p3pattyo
• Reply 3494391
• October 27, 2012 at 3:47 pm
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Oh my goodness, I just realized today is my 6th month anniversary with my ileostomy after emergency surgery!! I was originally told I would have my reversal in three months, but due to my crohns being out of control I've been put on remicade and am hopeful for next year. Happy anniversary, I wish you all good health and routines we can "live" with!!

• By illeocaregiver
• Reply 3494539 · In reply to 3494391 by p3pattyo
• October 27, 2012 at 5:04 pm
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Hello Patty, What you say about routines is so true. My husband had his emergency surgery in June 2011. After four months in hospital, by the grace of God, we finally got him home and have been living by our own changing and evolving routines as his healing and recovery have progressed. I thank God numerous times every day for this blessed place we call home for there is no better place in this world and no other place I would rather be. Prayers,
Carey

• By JSR62
• Reply 3494676 · In reply to 3493499 by Mare5785
• October 27, 2012 at 6:25 pm
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I was diagnosed with Diverticulitis in April of 2011. They tried to do a colonoscopy in June of last year, but told me they couldn't because my colon was narrowed. Everything was going fine until around the 15th of October when suddenly I wasn't able to have a bowel movement. After a few days of this I went to the hospital on October 21st and found out I had the bowel obstruction and had my surgery 6 days later.

• By Linda53
• Reply 3494781
• October 27, 2012 at 7:09 pm
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It's been 7 years for me on Sept 1st. I offer happy anniversary to you. Each day we are here to celebrate another day is sweet and worth honoring. I have a permanent ileostomy due to Crohns Life has been great on the postop end. I wish you many more celebrations

• By Catlyn717
• Reply 3495255
• October 27, 2012 at 11:08 pm
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Just had my 1st anniversary as well. I can't believe it. I can't believe how far I,ve come...to all the newbies, it will never be perfect, but it does get easier. I to am playing a little golf, traveling, and trying to move on with life. best of luck and life to you all!

• By alan41241
• Reply 3495508
• October 28, 2012 at 3:26 am
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That's wonderful, Catlyn. I'm still in my first year. Can't celebrate until March. Sounds like you are getting along just fine.
Blessings,
Alan

• By Jonsey
• Reply 3495916
• October 28, 2012 at 10:12 am
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JSR62,
I am happy that you are doing much better now. I had my colon surgery this past Aug. They took about 14 inchs of my colon out. I have had some issues with a open ulcer on my stomach. Been seeing the wound care nurse at the hospital every week. I am starting to feel better and still getting my strengh back. I think it is a long process getting back your health. Like you, I now can say that I am thankful for the surgery. It has taken a while for me to feel that way though. But God is good, and he can get all of us through the hard times. Good luck.

Mrailyn

• By Cheerbear12
• Reply 3495974
• October 28, 2012 at 10:42 am
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Happy anniversary my op literally saved my life I had only suffered for 4 months before they operated the meds weren't working and unbeknown to me my bowel could of perforated at any time which could of killed me I was really really sick. My anniversary is next month on 22nd nov. I'm glad you pulled through like you I have had ups and downs as well. I go to see Surgeon next month about rectum removal. I'm surprised how much better I feel for having a stoma and feel as normal as I can be. They removed all of my large bowel it wasn't doing me any favours what so ever. Keep us posted glad your ok xx

• By Catlyn717
• Reply 3497301 · In reply to 3495508 by alan41241
• October 28, 2012 at 7:59 pm
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Yes Alan, I am doing so much better than I ever thought I would be. I hope you are feeling progress as well. I have to say everytime I thought I was not going to get any better...a few weeks later, I would notice something else I could do that I couldn't do before, less fear, less stress...it does get easier.

• By herbsgal70
• Reply 3497373
• October 28, 2012 at 8:28 pm
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Hi Catlyn - yes, it does get better with time - and you get used to taking care of your appliance - mine will be with me permanently, so I have resigned myself to doing what I can, and resting when I feel like it. Have been playing golf once a week, and am about to try a day or two more, since the oppressive heat here in south Florida is letting up some. Stress level is way down after almost a year.

Love and hugs from Marge

• By Bobbyb1010
• Reply 3498587
• October 29, 2012 at 10:19 am
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It does get better as time goes on. I know for fact because I had my whole colon removed in 1987 because of cancer and I had so many polyps that they could not be counted. i had someone tell me that felt sorry for me because I go to the bathroom differently than they do. I answer to that was thanks but I am not sorry because I feel grateful that i am still alive to hopefully help others get through it. And also I had other major surgeries since then. I was 32 years old when the doctors found my tumor. Which was the size of tennis ball.

• By alan41241
• Reply 3498722
• October 29, 2012 at 11:03 am
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Thankfully, it was found in time Bobby. You may not have been here otherwise.
Blessings,
Alan

• By Bobbyb1010
• Reply 3499268 · In reply to 3498722 by alan41241
• October 29, 2012 at 2:15 pm
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How they was very lucky for me. It was found I after I ate a salad for lunch at work that cause me double over so much pain that I was taken to the hospital. I had no signs of any bleeding in my stool.