Stoma reversal before chemo?

Hi SarahSerena,

I had a colostomy pre-chemo (Capox) and despite hating it at first, I became extremely grateful for it.  I was often constipated at the start of a cycle, but spent most of the time with violent diarrhoea, and my bag coped with it all brilliantly. At times I felt so nauseous and ill that I was very happy that I didn’t have to get up to go to the loo. Everyone’s experience is different, but for me the bag helped make the chemo side effects easier to bear. It may be that his chemo has less side effects, fingers crossed!  His oncologist will be able to advise. I’m so sorry your husband is having a hard time - I would say hang in there, he might be very happy to have the bag during chemo. I hope his treatment goes well x

Hi . I have to ditto what Veggie lady has said. I was told that they wouldn’t consider a reversal until after my chemo had finished. Diarrhoea is a common side effect of chemo and would be a lot easier to cope with with a stoma. They also like to start chemo within 10 weeks of your op so having the reversal would delay this. His bowel habits will not go back to how they used to be after the reversal and can take weeks or months to settle down to a new normal.

Reversals are not classed as essential operations so might be put on the back burner particularly during the winter pressure months. Having said that my surgeon said it was a nice filler in between the big ops? You’ll have to talk this through with the oncologist and discuss the impact delaying any chemo would have

Sorry that I can’t be a bit more optimistic- everyone’s situation is different though so hopefully the oncologist might have better news

Take care

Karen x

Thanks both for your replies. One factor that’s important for my husband to discuss is nutrition. We know how important it is to eat well for chemo and he’s struggling with food and failing to put on the stone and a half he’s lost. He nearly got back to eating normal portions and we think he ate too much and got a blockage or some other digestive issue and was back in hospital, hence going back to bland. 

Its good to understand about the diarrhoea though. Something he can consider. We were told that the medication would likely cause that and at the time thought nothing of it because of the stoma. I personally would rather he wait but he is keen to ask about it and check his options so I have to support his wishes. 

Hi SarahSerena, 

I thought temporary stomas were given to allow the bowel time to heal  where the cancer was. 6 weeks does not seem long for that, but I am no medic. Its worth asking.

I know from my husbands first brush with cancer that you can get nutritional drinks to build you up. My husband has also been given Fortisips this time in hospital. He actually detested these first time round and preferred a powder that you mixed with milk. I've just looked them up and the name is Ensure powder. It might be worth asking your GP to prescribe some.

I also think  a stoma is a huge change in life to come to terms with., and it takes time. When my husband had one in his neck he hid it with scarves for quite a while. Once he decided to face the world with a button in his neck we discovered it had advantages. People never forgot him, and often he got preferential treatment!!!  I got quite used to asking in pubs for more gravy to get food down. Good luck. 

Thank you my lovely, this is a huge help! And I think getting the Ensure is a good call. You are right, a stoma is a huge change and I think he needs to talk to someone about it and help him manage it. He really is so conscious of it. Because it wasn’t planned the placement wasn’t discussed and he feels he can’t wear anything remotely fitting over it so he has it hanging over his trousers and under a long t shirt so for him the idea of going out anywhere smart is completely out and he’s worried about it!  He’s tried belts but found them too restrictive. He does have a bag cover which makes him feel a bit better. 

He is only 6-7 weeks out of surgery but his recent setback really upset him and he’s basically imagining that it will be like this for the next 7 months and having to have lots of soft bland food tovoid blockages - rather than in his mind waiting maybe another 7 weeks and being able to have the reversal. I don’t think the hospital will do it but I thought I’d check to see if anyone had experiees. For now, I’ll get the Ensure

Hi there! Apologies if I am repeating a lot of the great advice already posted. But I wanted to offer my support. I have just had my stoma reversal. I had my tumour removed in Oct '20, started chemo in Dec '20. I finished chemo in May snd decided I needed the summer to recover, live a little and put weight on. I had also lost a lot of weight - nearly 20kg and had lots if nausea for the first 3 months of chemo. But then they reduced the dose and I immediately got my appetite back : I prefered sports protein powders mixed with milk and fruit as a great extra meal (hated the hospital protein drinks!), I tried for 6 small meals a day with as many calorific foods as I could manage. I put on 15kg in under 3 months! Once the chemo finishes or is reduced the stoma should calm down into a good routine. It does take time but I found after about 2 months my stoma Denis became part of the family and we got on great! And it is a lot easier to manage tummy upsets with a stoma!

One important thing I want to add re: the reversal. Every body is different but I am a month post reversal and still having constant output, a lot of diarrhoea and eating is limited. So I would personally not suggest surgery anywhere near the start of chemo. I am glad I started chemo immediately after surgery and that I got really strong before my reversal. I had to be opened up again and I have to say the reversal has been a big deal. If you have any questions, I'm here! 

Just to add re: diet and clothing. Your husband has not had very much time to adapt to his stoma yet, very early days. Output does calm down as does digestion. I was eating loads of vegetables, medium spicey foods etc within a few months (gradually does it!!). When you have had colon cancer you just have to accept that your eating and toilet habits are probably going to have to find a new normal (no more salads for me!).  For going out and dressing up I emptied my bag before going out and emptied it as soon as there was output. I went to the gym, went swimming, wore jeans etc. I always had a jumper to sling around my waist incase he got windy but otherwise most people can wear what they like. Just give it a bit of time. Good luck.

Thank you! What do you use on the stoma when you go swimming? To keep it waterproof? 

Stoma bags are pretty waterproof.after all you can bath and shower with one attached .you can always change for a dry bag afterwards if you want.

Ksth

Doesn’t the wafer come loose though? My husband has the one piece style. He was told to be careful showering as it may come off?