I had colorectal cancer in 2012. It was complicated with 2 peritonitis infections and I was left with a stoma. (I was 47).it was always deemed temporary andd a reversal was performed 9 months later.
This left me with chronic non stop diarrhea and blisters around my anus from the acid. It was concluded that i suffer from bile acid malabsorption(BAM).
Having lived with this for the last 8 years I have no independence, constantly looking for public toilet and spend most of my time at home where I spend at least 40 mins to evacuate, 8 times a day. It is really dictating my life.
I am looking to chat with people who have chosen to have a colostomy for comfort reasons to help me in my decision.
When I had my first stoma, it leaked, was very liquid and very acid. But this was because I suffered from BAM which was not diagnosed at the time. Therfore I am left with a very negative experience of dealing with a stoma and bag. Now my stools are less acid but still loose and my intestine seems to be paralysed so there is always a build up of stools in it.
Will a bag help. Would it give me my independence or would it just be an additional obstacle?
Well, mine wasn't by choice but I was the same age and I reckon I could spend a day with anyone with a stoma that is having problems and teach them how to not even notice it.
I have had mine for over 2 years and I have it "down pat" to a fine art. Not without some small issues, but 99% of the time it's within my control.
One of the secrets is time. And 9 months is not long enough to master the art of a stoma.
At one year, it becomes easier. At 18 months you master it. At two years you stop noticing it.
The worst part of my stoma is waking early every second day to irrigate. Irrigation takes 30 mins. Then I don't interact with my stoma for another 48 hours. It's not always this slick, but it's so normal to me now I can find myself sitting at my desk at 10am asking myself "did I irrigate today" --it's become so automatic I don't even notice I am doing it.
But it takes time.
Your acid issue WILL cause you some extra work with a stoma - I get that acid too. But I have found ways around it.
My conclusion for you is that a stoma will be a different thing to overcome. And in time based on what you have said it will make thing easier.
But I can't emphasise it enough that time is what you need. Consider two years sitting here right here right now sounds a long time, but with every single one of those 700+ days it gets easier, until you don't notice it.
The great thing is that you know how hard a stoma can be at the start. You just need a guiding hand to push past the tough bits.
I am very happy to chat, I'll even offer to be your stoma mentor should you decide to go for it. Having someone to ask questions will save you a lot of anguish. But also know that I won't have all the answers, a lot of my "stoma skills" have come from a lot of pain. But looking back now it was worth it.
One thing you might want to check is if you can irrigate. That may help you decide.
Good luck 
Thank you Kareno62 and sorry I only just spotted your message because of Karen mentioning my name. I will get in touch now
