Husbands Colostomy surgery on Wednesday

Hi, I think he might enjoy the nurses giving him a bed bath, well he’d enjoy telling his golfing buddies. As yet we don’t know what surgery he’ll have. 

I’m dreading leaving him, I don’t want him to see me upset, he doesn’t need it, just hope I can hold it together. I’m quite a strong person and mostly we’ve laughed and enjoyed life since his diagnosis but after 45 years together, he knows me too well. 

I don’t think it’s the thought of the stoma, it’s the worry of his recovery and will they get it all out, I’ll find out soon enough.

Thanks again for your support, it really does help.

Budge

budge13

Hope all goes well with hubby's surgery tomorrow.

When one has a colostomy we all agree that everyone is different on how we manage our stomas and it is certainly accepted that when it comes to eating no two people are alike, the advice I give is based on years of research and study.

This is the link I promised, produced by Coloplast and it shows the effects foods can have, but as everyone is different there is no guarantee that all the effects will be experienced by your husband which is good, but it is best to be prepared for all eventualities.

What food can do to an ostomate 

Can I suggest that you do as many people on this forum do and accept my friends request then you will be free to ask for help and advice at anytime you want.

Ian

Online community champion Ileostomy, colostomy, urostomy and any other stoma support

 Certificate in Stoma care management 

Linda 

If you don't mind me asking what you are disagreeing with me on eating after a colostomy

Ian

Thanks Ian, much appreciated, I’ll let you know how it goes.

Regards, Budge

Hi Budge 

I know exactly where your coming from but just think by tomorrow evening he will be rid of the cancer and then his recovery can start and I’m sure he will be back playing his golf in no time, to start of with recovery is slow but it’s a major operation and he will get there. 

Good luck for tomorrow I will be thinking of you and keep us all updated x

Morning Ian

Yesterday was a long day. The surgeon rang me about 5:30pm to let me know how it’d gone. He has a permanent colostomy, there was too much scaring to re join, but he was stable throughout. I was nervous and tense  but asked if they’d got it all, she seemed confident that they had, lymph nodes taken for further investigation. He had a laparoscopy which I think will help his recovery but they stitched up his bottom, which I understand is very painful. He finally came up to the ward about 8pm and I was able to stay with him for some time. He wanted to know what had happened, so it was me who told him. Didn’t really want to but on reflection it was probably better from me. He will get more info when he sees a doctor. 

I feel confident in time he’ll be ok, he even joked when his bag made a little fart, his determination and sense of humour will help him through. I know it’s going to be hard at first and I’m really worried about how much pain he’ll be in, did they get it all and how much more chemo? But we can do this, but any help or advice will always be appreciated. 

Many thanks, Budge

budge13

Hi Budge

I'm so pleased that everything went so well, can you assure you husband that having a permanent colostomy is not too bad and he can live with it, the emphasis being on LIVE WITH IT, there should be no reason for him not making a good recovery and getting back to doing all the things he used to enjoy doing.

I wont lie to you he will experience little problems but none that can't be resolved one way or another. His first objective is to accept that it is permanent and his determination and sense of humour will see him through the good times and the odd not so good but he will manage with a little help from you

Perhaps when he's ready he might find it useful to have a little private chat with me and we can address any problems he might have.

The mere fact that he has joked about his little fart shows his sense of humour but also tells us something else it worked it's the first sign and believe me he will have lots of experiences where his stoma will join into a conversation making its little noises when they're not wanted.

Hopefully the surgeon will take the extra time to explain what has happened but he can also ask the hospital stoma nurses any questions he has to ask.

He'll be home soon and that's the best road for recovery for him and with our help and his stoma care nurse we'll try and make sure he gets through with a smile on his face and be a new man.

Please keep speaking to me, I'm here to help whenever I can.

Best wishes to you both

Ian