Soon to have stoma

Hi,It’s natural to feel apprehensive,it’s a big thing to go through.I got into the mind set beforehand that the stoma was life saving.Mine is urinary only but my prognosis was bleak due to a rarer more aggressive form of bladder cancer.I think you will cope a lot better than you imagine.The stoma nurses are there to help and advise.To begin with it’s all new and daunting but with practice you grow in confidence.I’m back to gardening and tasks I did pre-op.I think if you have no option you just get on with it.For me adjusting to life with a stoma has been the easiest part of the recovery.I hope your surgery goes well.Love and best wishes Jane 

Thanks winkers60 , I am very grateful for your comments and support. I tried to change the bag today and the bag came away with the fake stoma and the dressing over my stoma siting. I've cut a hole in another one, filled it with fake poo, stuck it on, practiced emptying it and it was ok. 

As you say, I've just got to say to myself "its saving my life " and get on with it. A friend of mine said "better a bag than a box". I'll cope, I have to. Thanks again, Geoff 

Hi Geoff,My partner’s late father had a stoma after a bowel emergency caused by Ulcerative Colitis.I remember him saying how grateful he was for over 20 years of life he didn’t expect to have.He died of something unrelated to his bowel but his words resonated with me when I got cancer.He coped well with the stoma,he went on holidays and did the garden.It’s good that you have been able to practice a bit.The first time I changed my bag with the stoma nurse I forgot to do up the plug on the bag.I haven’t made that mistake again.I hope someone who has been through your forthcoming op will be able to offer you support.Love and best wishes Jane

Hi FiremanCancer. It's normal to feel scared about something you know nothing about. I had APR surgery in July 2019. I cried when I was told I had to have a permanent stoma but came to realise it was saving my life and gave my head a shake and decided to just get on with it. It's amazing how quickly it becomes your new normal. I have gone back to work now, where we have no suitable toilet facilities for me. I do manage luckily. It has just become a part of me now and I don't really think about it much. I'm 61, so have a few years to work yet. Keep your chin up. It really isn't as daunting as it seems.

Good luck.

Love Kim x

My stoma has improved life as I had chronic bladder disease for over 30 years before I got cancer.Not having to rush around looking for a loo or wetting myself when I couldn’t wait is a thing of the past.The night bag is welcome too,shortly before the surgery I was up every 10-15 minutes all night.I don’t really think about my stoma either other than caring for it.Love Jane x

Hi Jane.

Yes, I feel the same way. It's amazing how you just get used to it. I know some people just can't get over hating having a stoma but I feel lucky to be still here and I thank my stoma for that!

Love Kim x

Hi Kim,I’m lucky to be here too,I wouldn’t have lived long without the surgery.It’s taken a long time to recover but I’m alive and can’t praise the surgeon enough.I hope you are doing well ? X

Hi, Just to let you know there is life after op. I had Gollum after my small intestine went gangrenous and they removed about five feet and left me with him. The surgeon told me to sign these box or go home in one! It was a hell of a shock to wake up with the bag 24 hours later. I must say support from the stoma team was wonderful. I was one of the lucky ones it was caught in time. Only had Gollum for about 8 months and had a reversal. I wish you the best of luck. It was not a cancer with me but I do have prostate cancer. I am now 74 and looking forward to some more years yet. Peter.