Stoma bags

Hi Unfair2 I’m sorry to hear about your son and can appreciate that it increases the worry for you but a stoma bag is regularly used to allow the bowl rejoin time to heal. It can take a couple of weeks to settle down and get into a routine but there are different pouches to try and there are solutions to most issues. The stoma nurses will make sure you’re completely comfortable with dealing with the bag before you’re discharged and there’s also lots of advice on the board below?

 Ileostomy, colostomy and stoma support

Take care

Karen x

Hi Unfair2

I’m very sorry to hear about your son but hope my experience will help allay some of your fears.

I awoke with an unexpected stoma following a low anterior resection for sigmoid colon cancer in November 2021. Despite the surprise the staff in the hospital were great and made sure I got used to my ‘new’ circumstances before discharge.

Once home stoma nurses visited several times to ensure I was coping and caring properly for the stoma. I had a slight problem with leakage early on but the nurses changed the type of pouch I was using and thereafter there were no problems.

I had my stoma all the way through seven months of chemotherapy without any issues.

I was put on the list for a reversal of my ileostomy in August 2022 and had the operation in May 2023. I have recovered well and can now eat and drink what I want.

Whilst my stoma was only temporary, I would not have been unduly worried if it had not been possible to have a reversal. In fact some people opt not to have the reversal done.

I hope this helps.

Thankyou. I'm glad it all went well. 

I had a stoma following the op to remove a tumour in May this year. It took some getting used to, and it took me a while to feel confident going out.

it’s temporary and I’m able to have the reversal.

i think you get used to what to deal with next in this journey and you will deal with it I’m sure

theres lots of support and good advice on here too, that kept me going.

thats sad about your son, sending you a hug ️

1. Hi unfair had anal/rectal cancer July last year had radiotherapy then chemotherapy and an op March this year had a stoma and complete anal rectal removal  so no going back for me, my wife didn't have cancer but has had bowel problems most of her life and was on waiting list for a Stoma so surgeon decided to do a bogof and we both had ops on same day and in same ward. I can certainly say that after the first few weeks we are both coping very well  and not having any major problems it can be a little inconvenient at first but when you get into a routine it's OK. My wife has not felt so well for about 30 years and I am clear of cancer so all in all I would say its well worth having. Hope all goes well for you.  Dave 

Thank-you I'm glad you are both doing well. 

Hi folks,

I hope you are all well, and have a nice Christmas,  x

I had bowel cancer end of 2021, with this I also had a stoma bag in place for 2 years, I just had the reversal 3 weeks ago, 

I found when having the bag, everywhere I went I took a rucksack with me at all times, with an extra stoma the small disposable bags and the wipes, as well as a change of cloths, as I'm afraid there as many times I had some leeks and had to run to the toilets, I used to get upset at times, but after a while I just got used to the fact it happens,  now I'm finding a different dilemma, my bowes very unpredictable, when I need the loo I have to run   I have been told that will pass ,        I  am now just waiting on my full body CT scan ( as I had bowel cancer 2019 ) to show I am all clear, x