Trouble with stoma working

It's early days yet for your hubby yet.

I've an end iliostomy following the removal of cancers in my bowel and oesaphagus. Both were removed at the same time in June 2020. 

I had a feeding tube in my tummy for about 10 months which I connected a bottle to each night to give me a litre of liquid food. I was also eating normally but only small amounts and it was a sloppy diet of rice pudding, tinned fruit, etc. 

I'm 78 next month. 

Thanks. You give me heart!!!  He had a feeding tube when he had throat cancer 14 years ago, so we are well used to that! Do you mind me asking if you plan a reversal?

I've been told that a reversal isn't possible. I don't think I would want to go through it anyway.

My Stoma and I get on well together! 

Thanks for that. I'm wondering if he'll want to go through all this again!

Hi NA. I think they will sort this out ok and just remember he’s got you on his team. 

RM 

Hi Roger, I feel more positive today. He has stopped feeling sick, is much brighter, and his stomach, which had swollen right up. is more of a normal size. Consultant said out by the end of the week, but I've given up on his predictions!!!

Hi NA. You can only be sent home once your husband proves that he is able to handle changing bags etc..Has he got the staples down the front, it’s usually painful until he is up and about. I remember having the morphine driver but the morphine made me sick so I had to get anti sickness injections. 

In some ways it’s good to have memories of the things you have overcome, cos you know you can overcome these things again if you have to.

Try and look after yourself NA, us patients take all the help and kindness we can get but for the carers it’s constant worry. 

Good luck 

RogerM 

Hi Roger,

He had keyhole surgery, so no staples and seems to be walking quite well, although he hasn't much energy.

He overcame throat cancer 14 years ago, and lost his larynx. He has a stoma there and talks with a speech valve. I don't think he will have any problems with the bag. As for the eating, we've been through all that before, mashing food up to get it down a narrow throat!!

They have been very, very good with him. I don't expect they have many patients with 2 stomas!!!

I hope you have plenty of help at home as it’s far too much for 1 person to help with. Maybe you have children helping out but you will run yourself into the ground if you try and do too much yourself. 

Then there’s the thought of the cost of a nursing home in a couple of years to worry about. I admit I’m guilty as well, my wife does all the running and worrying.

Sorry if I sound so depressing but people with stage 4 just look to survive and make the most of those kind people around them. 

Just try and get him back home and well and plan ‘relax’ time for yourself. My wife would probably blow-up if she read this. 

RM 

Hi Roger,

I normally cook and clean for him, so I don't understand the difference! He looks after his own stoma. I'm actually feeling guilty because before we knew there was a problem I nagged him one day to mend a broken fence, fix the garage light which wouldn't work, and sort out the leaking bathroom taps. He obviously wasn't feeling quite right, but I put it down to laziness!!!

He was only Stage 2, but I think his compromised airway has complicated matters.