Hi Everyone
I am new to this forum. I was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in May 2021 and have been through 5 weeks of radiotherapy followed by 18 weeks (6 cycles) of chemotherapy and am now waiting for surgery. I had my pre-operative assessment yesterday so I expect to be operated on quite soon.
I saw the surgeon yesterday he said I had to choice between a colostomy and an ileostomy. I don't have to decide until the day before the operation. Today I had a call from a specialist stoma nurse who gave me a lot of information about the difference between a permanent and a temporary stoma. But what would really help me is some input from someone who has had either of these procedures and can tell me a bit about what it is really like living with a stoma bag. What difference does it make to your quality of life?
I am a 72 year old woman, living alone and with no close family who before cancer was fit and active and before covid was really enjoying my retirement - taking 2 or 3 holidays abroad each year as well as visiting my flat in Cyprus twice a year. I would really like to get my old life back so a big factor in my decision is going to be how much either a colostomy or an ileostomy is going to impact on my ability to do that.
Any help or advice - positive or negative - would be gratefully received.
Karen reading your bio it’s seems as though you had everything thrown at you. It’s amazing you still have a great sense of humour.
Thunder thighs. Ha ha
Ann
Hi Limassol
I went to the Canaries recently, so almost as long a flight, and to Majorca last September where the flight time was also almost 5 hours due to a diversion. I even changed my bag in the loo on the plane! I have several trips booked this year including one with 10 hours flight time. Once you’ve done it once, you gain confidence to do it again.
Hi Karen
I often do the standard package holidays, and get special assistance as I find it hard to do all the walking in the airport. As part of this, I get to choose my seat for no extra charge so request an aisle seat near the loo. Regrettably it means being last off the plane waiting for the assistance people but that’s ok. I also go scheduled, and have been able to pick my seat there too. I always phone in advance to make sure everything’s set up for me, and have found all the airlines extremely helpful.
