Hi 
In 2019 I was diagnosed with SCC in my perineum. Had surgery within a week, which revealed a wider spread of disease (my lymph nodes and bowel) and subsequently received radiotherapy and chemotherapy over 6 weeks. I was told when I signed the consent form the likely side effects. Because I had radiotherapy to my pelvis, it was recommended that I store sperm as I would be unable to produce healthy cells. I’ve had fantastic support from my Oncologist, the specialist nurses, radiotherapists, and appreciate everything they do for me. I thank my lucky stars that I’ve received all this treatment and I’m still alive, but I’ve recently developed late side effects from the radiotherapy; almost constant diarrhoea which I manage usually with Colesevalam and Loperamide. At my last review with my Oncologist a couple of weeks ago she said the time had come to consider a colostomy to manage my diarrhoea, which is unlikely to improve. I’m just putting this out here to find out if someone who’s experienced this could help me with tips, advice and ideas? I can’t continue like this as I’m frightened to go anywhere or drive or just live with uncomfortable and uncontrolled diarrhoea. I’ve got through the trauma of diagnosis and treatment and I know I’ll get through this, and I’m almost convinced a stoma is the key to boosting confidence and removing the fear. Any advice from someone with experience of stoma issues would be gratefully received. I’m posting this after talking things through with the lovely helpline staff who encouraged me to post in this group. Thanks for sharing your advice and tips!
Hi Andy6502 and a very warm welcome to the online community which I hope you'll find is both an informative and supportive place to be.
I don't have any experience with a stoma and have searched the group to see if anyone here has mentioned it in a previous post but drawn a blank I'm afraid.
You might find joining and posting in the ileostomy, colostomy and stoma support group helpful as you'll then connect directly with others who have a stoma and who can tell you about the benefits, etc.
If this is something that you'd like to do, clicking on the link I've created will take you straight there. Once you've joined the group you can then start a new post there in the same way as you did here.
Wishing you all the best with whatever you decide to do.
x
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
