Treatment any advice

Hi Happy 14. I had my stoma as part of my operation but I know the reversal of it was a much smaller operation. You will be encouraged to get up and about after surgery and the nurses will help you with your stoma initially. The stoma nurses will visit you to show you how to clean the stoma and change the bag. It’s a bit daunting at first but you’ll quickly get into a routine knowing when it’s quiet and the best time to change it. I’m going to tag a couple of people who might also be able to offer some insight Carog and Veggie lady

Hope it all goes well on friday

Take care

Karen x

Hi Happy14

Your story is similar to mine, low rectal cancer. Do have a look at my profile. Having a stoma can be a bit difficult at first, it’s quite a thing to get your head around. Reading posts on here over the last few months, it seems that, for most people, once it settles down and you get used to the new routine, it quickly becomes part of your life with no problems.  It took me a few weeks (yes, I hated it at first!) but the stoma nurses are incredibly kind and supportive. At first it took me up to half an hour to change my bag, whereas now it is less than 2 minutes.
A month after my stoma op I started on 4 cycles of Capox chemotherapy. I found it hard because of the side effects (which not everyone has). But I became extremely grateful for my stoma, because it coped  easily with the rapid changes from constipation to extreme diarrhoea  - and saved me having to rush to the loo and sit on it for ages when feeling quite poorly. It also meant that the pain in my rectum disappeared, perhaps because it was no longer being irritated by stools trying to get past the tumour. I finished the chemo a month ago. It worked brilliantly at shrinking the tumour and I can honestly say I feel great.

I  am starting my radiation next week.. I am not looking forward to it, but I am looking forward to getting it out of her way! Another part of my treatment done and dusted. Do have a look at the “Ileostomy, colostomy and stoma” forum on here. Everyone reacts differently, both mentally and physically, I know. There is a lot of support on here, and some great success stories, which genuinely helped me get through the difficult times.

I wish you the very best with your treatment. It is completely normal to feel nervous, but you are not alone -  do ask if you have questions or concerns xx

Thank you Karen xx

Thank you veggie lady, your message is really helpful and I'm really pleased your treatment is going well xx