Husband just had operation.

Can't help I'm afraid, didn't have a stoma, but sending ((hugs))

Hi NannyAnny, 

I think this a question for the consultant. I don't think age is necessarily the reason for not getting a reversal, I was 73 when I had a temporary ileostomy, which has now been reversed successfully.

I hope that your husband manages the stoma ok, it isn't as bad as you think when you get used to it, which you have to do!

All the best to him, John

Hi NannyAnny

Please try not to worry, if your husbands had his operation and has a stoma he will need time to recover before worrying about reversals or bowels etc.

I had reversible ileostomy August, I didn’t want a stoma and definitely didn’t want an ileostomy  however the operation was a success and I had the cancer out. I am so relieved to have the hideous growth out the ileostomy has been part of that I now thank goodness for the stoma she saved my life.

I hope that your husband recovers quickly from his operation, he’ll adjust to looking after his stoma, to be honest it doesn’t take long and it’s quite straightforward. 
Take care

Artsie Ann

Thanks, Gemmary. I was a bit stunned when the consultant rang to tell me! Apparently he thought if he had joined the bowel back up there and then he risked getting peritonitis and certain death!!! I'd rather he had the stoma!

Thanks, Crankshaft. That's given me hope. He already has a stoma in his throat after throat cancer 15 years ago. Glad you are OK.

Hi Artsie, 

He already has one stoma to look after. Guess he has 2 now!!

Hi NannyAnny

Hope your husband had a good rest last night !

A lot to process ! Hopefully they will be able to reassess him once his bowel has had a chance to recover ! 

Hope you are ok too! These phone calls give you such a jolt ! 
take care ,

Court 

Thanks, Court. That's what I am hoping!!  We'll see!!  His consultant is lovely and has rung us up twice now. I've got the impression its unusual to operate on someone who has a throat stoma. He is in Intensive care so they can deal with the throat. I was more worried about that than the bowel. If you can't breathe... its a bit critical!!! 

Hi NA. It is a shock when you get a stoma bag. There is hope that a reversal can be carried out at a later stage but in the meantime just focus on your husband recovering. 

Ive had my ileostomy since Dec 2013, so you get used to it. My surgeon was trying to find a way to reverse the bag until the lung mets appeared in Jan 2016. So I have survived bag and all so far. 

You have to hope for the best. Best wishes RogerM. 

Thanks, Roger. We learnt long ago you just have to hope for the best! I think his surgeon was impressed that he had survived without a larynx for 15 years!! Looking after that stoma just became part of life!