Stoma

Hi Anac-C,

You must be quite anxious tonight wondering how life will be after your surgery tomorrow. Your stoma nurses will help you so much - they'll help you to decide which pouches will suit you, how to look after your stoma and all about what you can eat. We are all different, and it really is a case of just trying things until you find what suits you. Regarding foods please don't think that some foods will never be enjoyed again - you should be able to enjoy all that you eat just now. You'll learn what foods have which kind of effects on you. 

I suppose in this world that we live in, we are all learning new normal in life, and having a stoma is going to be the new normal for you - it's nothing to fear and you will be surprised at how well you adapt! 

Good luck for your operation tomorrow. If you've any specific questions, or looking for reassurance and support, we're all here for you.

Linda :-)

Hi Anac-C,I hope your operation goes smoothly.Love and best wishes.Jane xx

Thanks Linda

yes I am anxious as to what the new norm is going to be. I really don’t know what to expect. I have a good friend that tells me that having a stoma is the next best thing that happened to her since Sliced cheese . I don’t really know how to feel yet. 

I know it’s a trial and error and since I am on borrowed time already this just comes as another hurdle. Hope it isn’t as difficult as I think it is

thanks again Linda

Ana

Thanks Jane. I really appreciate your kind words

Ana

Hi . Just wanted to wish you the best for your op today. I’m sure the blockage will have been very uncomfortable for you so hopefully the stoma will bring you some relief.

The stoma nurses will give you lots of booklets and advice and won’t let you leave hospital until youre able to change your own bags comfortably. 

Everyone has their own preferences for bags and the nurses will probably give you several different types to try. I’m quite tall so I was able to wear quite a large bag and I preferred a clear one so I could see what was going on! Others prefer a smaller enclosed bag which just has a little opening to view the stoma through.

Dietwise - take things very slowly to start with until the stoma begins to work - the Bowel does not like being handled and can cause nausea for the first few days. Stay on a low fibre diet for the first couple of weeks and it may be worth keeping a food diary. Everyone’s stoma can be different - I found tuna went straight through me and cups of tea too however my dad’s apple crumble was a real thickener. Try to avoid skins and seeds as these can potentially block the stoma.

It may seem a little daunting but you will quickly get used to having a stoma and get into a routine of when is best to change your bag. Ian aka is a little under the weather at the minute so I shall remind you of his mantra for eating with a stoma which is chew, chew, chew and then chew some more. 

If your output is very loose then the nurses may advise you to take immodium/loperamide - you may also find marshmallows, jelly babies and wine gums help.

Ive attached a link to a booklet that has a bit of information about eating with a stoma but hopefully the nurses will have some more specific advice for you

bowelcancerorguk.s3.amazonaws.com/.../EatingWell_BowelCancerUK.pdf

Take care and let us know how you’re getting on

Karen x

Hi, like the others I wish you all the very best for your surgery today.

The strange thing is when we are sitting with the doctors discussing why we are having bowel surgery and when a stoma bag is mention we either become overwhelmed by the fact or we brush aside until the day of the operation then we get stressed out a bit because we will pooing into a bag, it is not a big deal to contend with,  if you immediately accept it.

The pouch is not anything to do with what happened pre surgery, it is fitted as part of the cure and you can make it part of your life.

When you woke up you probably find that attached to your body is a strange pouch where you can see everything that has gone into your bag, it help the nursing staff also, your might find that pouch has an outlet tap at the tail, you only wear these bags for a few days then the stoma care nurse will being you a pouch that she thinks will suit you based on the size and position of your stoma.

You will be given an emergency pack of supplies by the nurses to bring home, the two important item you should have are 

1 hand mirror

and

A pair of scissors, these should be treasured with your life, without scissors you cannot cut to pouches.

The nurses will arrange for your first month's supply to be sent to you. In two weeks time you should order your next months supply, then you should order every 28 days but always remember never to over order.

Eating is the thing that concerns most people returning home after a stomahttps://community.macmillan.org.uk/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-discussions-components-files/31844/1588687739626_5F00_Dietary_2D00_Advice_2D00_for_2D00_Ostomates-_2800_4_2900_.pdf

I'm in the process of collating the majority of the foods we come across and cross matching them with the effects they could have effect on us, it was almost finished when the file became corrupted.

Once I get out of hospital I can start it again.

Don't be on your own we are all here to help you start leaving a normal life with a stoma.

Ian

CC

Thank you Ian. What will we do without your advice. 

So when you say “don’t over order” how many bags are needed in a day/week/month. Just so I know. Where do we order the bags.? Is it directly from the suppliers? Oh I feel so stupid not absorbing anything I’ve read previously. 

Ana