Bruising

That was meant to say ' fussing' 

Hello Moira

My principle  has always been check everything with the stoma team.  I really worried that I was becoming a pest but my team were, and are, lovely whenever I have called them.  Three months is no time at all.  I am nearly three years  from surgery and only now feeling that I am in control of things.  I was told it would be two years before everything had settled down.  I have to say they were pretty accurate but the nurses see it all over and over again.  Go to the experts.

Never had thread veins in the stoma though there is some mottling in tones especially when Charlie (he has a name) is 'active'.  I assume the blood supply is more pronounced then.  I do have some redness round the stoma.  My nurses think it is just the pressure of the pouch as the stomach is a bit bumpy there.  It isn't bruising exactly just redness but if there is any tenderness or discomfort I would, again, suggest talking to your team.  I had some discomfort about a year in as I started to replace some of the weight I had lost due to the cancer and was changed to another make of pouch which gave a better fit. 

We do change as we heal and adjustments are needed from time to time.  That is why we are monitored so steadily.  But don't worry about 'fussing'.  This is such an enormous surgery and a equally huge adjustment.  You are doing fine.  So just keep going and taking things one day at a time.  Hope this helps and good luck

Lyn

Thank you Lyn, I'm so sorry I took so long to reply, it's been one of those weeks! You really helped to reassure me, it's great to be able to talk to someone who has been through it! I think having my stoma nurse, who is lovely by the way, on the end of a phone, wasn't quite the same as actually seeing someone face to face! She is isolating and working from home! However, I went to the Stoma Clinic and was examined thourghly, everything is just fine, apart from the part where she discovered that I have a hernia! The redness is exactly what you thought, the blood supply is more pronounced when the stoma is active! I was also told not to worry by myself but to always reach out to the team and that it is a big operation! So again, many thanks Lyn!

Moira. x

Hello Moira,

Don't worry about not answering.  'Those' weeks turn up on a regular basis, don't they?  So glad that I could give some reassurance.  Despite having the stoma and colo-rectal teams in the background, I know I felt isolated at times.  Phone calls are useful but they do feel limited too, especially when you are wondering what the heck is going on.  But delighted you got a face to face appointment even if it did mean identifying a hernia.  Just remember that isn't the end of the world either and get some good support wear.  I use mine constantly.  There are several suppliers and they come on prescription.

As I said, you are just getting well and, though the pouch looks like nothing much, this is an amputation and major surgery.  So give yourself a treat for being brave and sensible and carry on asking.  Have a good weekend and take good care

Lyn

Moira

I've been meaning to post for a while! I use a convex bag and get red rings around my stoma that can look like bruises. I try and have a long bath each week where I  don't have my bag on. I find after about half an hour the redness fades         ( not completely ). I'm not sure if this in necessary but it looks better. And it's a good excuse for a long soak!

Catherine 

Hi Catherine,

Thanks for replying!  You're braver than me, I don't think I'd ever be able to have a bath without a pouch on! I think I have an allergy to the sticky outside of the pouch, it gets quite sore too so I'm using the skin barrier wipes and it's helping!

Keep on enjoying your lovely long baths, I'm so jealous!

Moira