Colostomy surgery on Thursday

Hi first of all best wishes for thursday.which op are you having.I had a panproctocolectomy with an iliostomy but Im sure if you can say what you are having,folk will be along who had similar.

Have you joined the stoma group on here.?lots of tips and advise on there.

Dont forget the long charging lead ! And I found dry shampoo very handy.also puzzles,books whatever keeps you occupied.the days seem long in hospital.

Kath

Hi Moirq. I’d never been in hospital before my op but found it to be ok. The surgeon and anaesthetist came to see me to check I was ok and explain what was going to happen. The nurses were very attentive and kept on top of the pain medication. They will try and get you out of bed the next day and walking up and down the ward - that can be a bit tricky with the various tubes and drips but they will gradually be removed over the first few days. 
The stoma nurses will come and see you and show you how to look after your stoma and how to change the pouch - you won’t be allowed home until you’re comfortable with this.

The bowel does not like being handled so take things easy and just have light meals for the first few days. The wards tend to be noisy so take earplugs if you can tolerate them - there’s a few more ideas in the link below

https://bowelcancerorguk.s3.amazonaws.com/Publications/YourOperation_BowelCancerUK.pdf

Hope it all goes well and please keep us updated?

Take care

Karen x

Hi Moira,  Like you say nothing seems quite real, I felt the same.  I more or less had the same as you and did not feel great with the radio/chem which I had for 5 weeks to shrink the tumour.  You say you are terrified, please don't be as it will not be as bad as you think. I think the waiting is the worse, our imagination runs away with us.  Had mine 4 weeks ago, and now home, and soon you will be saying the same thing.  The next day after the op you will not feel 100% but you will have pain relief which will help you.  I was in hospital for 6 days and had some lovely people in the beds close to me, which was lovely as we could have chats and encourage each other.  I now have a permanent colostomy, and of course I would have preferred not to have one, but I had to face up to the fact it was either that or the alternative!  I am lucky that I had two friends that have got stomas, and had them for several years, and they now take it as second nature.  I also am getting so much more used to it and finding it so much easier than I did in the beginning, so I am sure in time you will feel the same.  I am sure once your op is over and done with you will gradually pick up (not overnight as I thought), but I did gentle exercise, went for short walks as I am sure that helps to aid recovery, just getting out in the fresh air.  I do hope that all goes well with your op, as I am sure it will...Kind Regards

Hi Moira,  Like you say nothing seems quite real, I felt the same.  I more or less had the same as you and did not feel great with the radio/chem which I had for 5 weeks to shrink the tumour.  You say you are terrified, please don't be as it will not be as bad as you think. I think the waiting is the worse, our imagination runs away with us.  Had mine 4 weeks ago, and now home, and soon you will be saying the same thing.  The next day after the op you will not feel 100% but you will have pain relief which will help you.  I was in hospital for 6 days and had some lovely people in the beds close to me, which was lovely as we could have chats and encourage each other.  I now have a permanent colostomy, and of course I would have preferred not to have one, but I had to face up to the fact it was either that or the alternative!  I am lucky that I had two friends that have got stomas, and had them for several years, and they now take it as second nature.  I also am getting so much more used to it and finding it so much easier than I did in the beginning, so I am sure in time you will feel the same.  I am sure once your op is over and done with you will gradually pick up (not overnight as I thought), but I did gentle exercise, went for short walks as I am sure that helps to aid recovery, just getting out in the fresh air.  I do hope that all goes well with your op, as I am sure it will...Kind Regards