Hi,
Hope everyone is having a good day?
I was diagnosed with a rectal GIST at the start of the year at 42 years of age.
When I was first diagnosed, it was explained that the plan was to shrink the tumour for a year with targeted therapy followed by a resection that would most likely result in the requirement for a permanent stoma.
My tumour has been shrinking as planned and my Oncologist mentioned at my last meeting that they would be speaking to the surgeon via the MDT and surgery would likely take place at the end of the year/early next year.
Up until now, Ive been solely focussed on the tumour, not really giving thought to the surgery. However, now I know that my treatment is working, I've started to feel quite apprehensive about the stoma, and what impact it will have on my lifestyle. - I'm extremely active (running, cycling, swimming) even through my treatment to date, despite fatigue caused by the medication I've still managed to run a marathon and I'll be doing a triathlon in a couple of weeks.
Has anyone had any experience of being able to maintain a very active lifestyle post Colonoscopy?
Thanks
Hi Gurnboyand welcome to the group.
I’ve got 2 stomas-a colostomy and a urostomy and have had both for coming up to 2.5 years. Life continues as normal!
It takes time obviously to recover from surgery but you have age and fitness on your side and you should be able to maintain all of your activities post recovery. I’m 60, and had different surgery, but found I adapted to my stomas quickly-it’s like second nature now. I didn’t have the active lifestyle you have, so the only activity I do from your list is swimming, which is no problem with a stoma or 2!
I think the thought of it is far worse than the reality of it. The stoma bag for my colostomy is very neat and unobtrusive, and I can’t say it interferes with my normal life. It’s just a different way of getting rid of waste. I focused on getting rid of my cancer and then I could figure out how to manage my stomas. That’s how it worked out in reality. Some teething problems at the start, but once your body settles down and heals after surgery there’s no need to think you can’t continue with your life as before.
So while I haven’t got the active lifestyle post colostomy, I didn’t actually have it pre colostomy. 
I would suggest not anticipating difficulties in advance. Just get it done and focus on recovery and getting back to fitness,
Sarah xx
Thanks Sarah, really appreciate your comments.
Hi I’m an ileostomy so slightly different also I’m not that fit however I’m living life to the full doing everything I couldn’t do when I had that horrible cancer.
I woke up felt the bag smiled and thought that the cancers out now let’s look after this little life saver.
You sound really fit. Look up Blake Beckford. He’s a model also Gill Castle recently swam the channel to France with her Stoma
The stoma won’t stop you
Good Luck. Keep us posted.
Ann
Thanks Artsie,
Just looked up Blake Beckford - I don't look like him!
Great to hear that stomas don't stop people
Kind regards
Ha ha no there’s not many that do. If you look at his before pictures he’s completely different. He has Ulcerative Colitis so has times when he’s poorly.
Gill Castles a great role model she swam the channel to raise money and awareness. She’s photographed in a bikini though I wouldn’t that was her chosen costume to swim that distance in.
Good luck with your treatment and training.
Ann
