Hello everyone. I have inoperable rectum cancer diagnosed in August 2020. I’m finding life pretty rubbish at present but there is the possibility of having a stoma fitted if I am fit enough for an operation. Could anyone who has had one fitted give me their views as whether It was successful or not. I’m hoping that if I have one it would make my life a little more bearable. Thank you
Hi there
As you can see by my Avatar I had an ileostomy for thirteen months. Yes mine was reversible but to tell you I was desperate to have it reversed would not be true Also my cancer was operable
Sorry to hear that you’re struggling
It may give you a better quality of life
I had rectal cancer almost blocking and spent forever trying to pass a ribbon stool was ruining my enjoyment in life and stopping me from doing the things I loved.
When I awoke with the stoma I thought right let’s sort this out I had a few issues to begin but after two weeks my stoma nurses changed my products that was a game changer. Eight weeks my stoma was formed and put the output in the right place.
Six weeks I stayed away in a lovely hotel. I had lots of advice from here travelling and what to pack.
April we flew to Spain, June Ireland.
I ate lovely food out and enjoyed life to the full
I’ve just had a reversal and I am tied to the toilet again. Yes it will improve but it’s made me realise how liberating the stoma was.
Others will come along that have similar cancer to yours and have had a stoma fitted. it’ll be good to hear how they’re getting on with it.
Good luck with it Keep us posted
Ann
Hello Boatman
I’ve had a permanent colostomy for 2.5 years now, along with a urostomy, so effectively a double bag lady! My surgery was a total pelvic exenteration, so everything in the pelvis had to go but it was very successful for me. I adapted very quickly I think and while of course I would rather I didn’t have them, they saved my life, and I’ve had no issues with them since
I find the colostomy very easy to manage, and it takes no time at all to deal with changing the bag-it’s all about practice. I eat what I want, wear the same clothes and travel abroad pretty regularly with no problems.
I am sorry to hear your life is difficult, and I hope that you could get a better quality of life from this surgery. I’ve never regretted mine.
Sarah xx
Hi Julie,
I was exactly the same my first two weeks were really challenging my output fast and furious, my stoma flat and my poor skin really burnt and sore.
The nurses saw me, when I went in I felt so lacking confidence. They put an Eakin slim on my poor skin, convex on my stoma and a belt attached. I came out if there completely different. Oh and a tip of a dry cracker ten o’clock at night
Four weeks later we had a weekend away, I stopped the belt , big knickers are better every time I wanted a wee I nearly pulled the bag down.
I had more freedom with the stoma than I ever did before the cancer caused issues for me continually feeling I needed to poo was demoralising
Hand on heart when it came to reversal I was torn, the longer it went on the more I wanted to keep Whoopi, then I knew I would wonder if I didn’t take the chance
I’m feeling so much better thank you.
Ann
