Ileostomy reversal and parastomal hernia repair tomorrow.

Hi Michaela

No advice (other than make sure you're near a toilet for quite some time) but wish you the best of luck for your op today (if you haven't already had it).

BW

Ed

All the very best for your op. Hope it goes smoothly. My mum had mesh put in after her liver resection. It was a clinical trial so I guess they have discovered this problem.

take care

court

Hi Michela,

Thinking of you today and hope your op goes well. I had my reversal 16th Feb this year and a hernia repair at same time. Hard few months and lots of "accidents". However, I am getting there and improving overall as time goes on. Couple of tips that might be useful, stick rigidly to the no lifting rule while hernia repair heals and you will always have to be a bit careful. Also when the time feels right for you try to "get back out there". The fear of needing the toilet urgently and having an accident can almost make you become reclusive. I used to tell myself that if something happens while out I will deal with it and if others can't then it's their problem and not mine. Won't deny it was scarey at times but the more I did it the more confident I became. I decided I had been lucky enough to be treatable and have a life so I am not going to waste it. Be strong and keep going, love Pauline X

Michela

Thinking of you and hoping all went well today.

Lynne

Hi Michela

Hope you are ok and getting over the op.  Let us know as soon as you feel able.

Sending you a hug along with my best wishes,

Lynne x

Hi All,

Thank you all for your well wishes and advice, I hope you are all well. Just to say I'm 3 _1/2 weeks post op now and doing ok. I'm glued to the toilet, sometimes 30 times a day, (you were right EdP) but it's early days yet.

Snowdrop, (Pauline), As you said, it's good to carry on as normal and not be put off going out, so I'm perservering, even if I spend half the time in the loo. My friends call me, miss Tena pants, lol, although i've avoided wearing them so far. The Consultant said there's a high chance the hernia will come back but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

Court, I hope your Mum is keeping well. Re mesh for hernia repairs, the Consultant said he doesn't use the mesh for hernia repairs when he's doing a reversal (as it effects the flora in the bowel) but does use it at other times.

VickiLynne, (Lynne), I'm pleased it's over, as I was quite conscious of the stoma ( I'm a wimp). It was this time last year when I got the diagnosis. I've been thinking, as much as I criticize it, what would we do without the NHS ? Have you been back to see your daughter's horses ?

Love and best wishes,

Michela

Hello and lovely to hear how you are getting on. Heading in the right direction for sure. Much better times ahead for you.

We are learning the art of patience. We sat for hours yesterday waiting on mum's scan results but alas with holidays and staff issues they were not reported on. I sat and thought about how much they have done for mum and we willingly rearrange for a months time. Every cloud has a silver lining I have the secretary number and will phone in future to make sure they are in. I then spent most of last night sitting up waiting on my son's higher results which last year came in at one in the morning . The only contact I got was from my mum unable to sleep worrying about her grandson . They have changed the system and are coming out this morning instead!! Probably a better idea...just wish I had know. Ha. So back to waiting....

You take care and shares in toilet paper must be a winner around here.

kind regards

Court

Great to hear from you Michela. So glad everything went well. Don't worry about the number of toilet trips - it gets much, much better over time. By 2-3 months you'll be a lot better and then things can continue improving at a slower rate for up to two years. It won't take anywhere near that long though for things to be manageable and, like you, I was glad to get rid of the stoma. Just one more point - I had a parastomal hernia (your surgeon was quite right not to use mesh) and it hasn't come back more than two years down the line despite being subjected to an average of 100 situps and 60 leg raises a day! If that doesn't bring it back I don't know what will!

Best wishes

Ed

Michela said:

Hi all,

I'm having the op tomorrow. I'll be pleased to have it done but a bit worried about the hernia. I was fit and healthy before my diagnosis (or so I thought) so I'm disappointed to have a hernia (large). I believe the Consultant won't be using the mesh type repair as it can effect the flora in the bowel. Any advice would be really appreciated. Fingers X'd. x

Waiting patiently for the call to have the reversal plus hernia op. Interesting to read the comments above and they do help I can assure all of that. I play sport a lot even though I am well into my sixties and this op. will  make me slow down for some time but by all accounts will be worthwhile in the long run. The large hernia is a nuisance and I suppose unsightly despite wearing an elastic waistband.  The stoma bag I can deal with despite the very odd accident. I had assumed it would be a mesh repair job on the hernia but I am now alerted that it will be something different. I have not been active with comments on site for some time but do appreciate reading the views of others and the positive input is brilliant and does one good. Keep up all the excellent work  folks and good luck to all in the various elements of treatment, recovery etc.