Coping with stoma

Hi  and a warm welcome to the board. Your hubby’s had a big op so I can imagine he’s still in the come down phase and the discomfort that he’s experiencing can be very wearing. The colostomy itself will take a few weeks to settle down - the output can be very smelly for the first couple of weeks and the fact that the stomas shrinking means regular measuring and cutting of new bags. Once the stomas reached its final size then he will be able to order pre-cut bags and will quickly develop a changing routine. 
There is a page on here for stoma folk so you might like to copy and paste your post onto that page as well? Going forward there are lots of people with stomas leading normal lives - possibly even people close to you that you did not know about? My friend has one and works full time, wears her usual clothes, eats out, drinks and has been on a cruise and flown to New York. There is also a possibility of irrigation once the stoma has been in place a while and settled so you might be able to discuss that at a later stage with your stoma nurse or read a few posts by typing ‘irrigation’ in the search box?

Hopefully a few others will be along shortly with some more views. As you say - this has saved his life and hopefully he will adjust and come around to accepting it. Here’s a link to the other page https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_experiences/ileostomy-and-colostomy-discussions-forum

Take care

Karen x

Thank you Karen for your warm and welcoming words - much appreciated.

My husband's stoma nurse is cheerful, kind and very wise. We've only met her once but it's good to have her on board. She keeps telling him to just take 'baby steps' and not expect too much too soon. Easier said than done! Prior to this diagnosis and treatment he was a very active sort of chap and always in denial about the likelihood of a permanent stoma. He's taking it very hard. However it's done now, so onwards and upwards.

best wishes

Sue

After my panproctocolectomy I found sitting uncomfortable but the nurses arranged for me to borrow a special cushion from the red cross which helped.

Stomas do get easier and once it has shrunk and you can get ready cut bags delivered it is even easier.

I wish you both all the best.

Kath

Hi Sueswancat,

This is a brilliant place to find so many tips on managing a stoma,

I’m nearly eight weeks ileostomy and have found lots of tips and encouragement to sort my pouch out.  
To be honest I am starting to really appreciate mine.  She’s called Whoopee, she saved my life.
I know that’s what everyone says but I feel that now.

I hope that your husband becomes more comfortable soon.

With best wishes

Artsie

Hi Sueswancat

Whilst it was for a different reason (ulcerative colitis) my husband had a stoma and joined the Ileostomy and Internal Pouch Association where there was lots of info as well as encouraging posts from others in a similar situation.  May be encouraging for your husband to realize quite how many people are out there dealing with the same situation albeit perhaps from a different starting point -

www.iasupport.org

Good luck to both of you.

Helen