1. < Colorectal Cancer
Profile picture for cici80

Rectum resection with Ostomy bag, New to this, what can I expect?

Posted by cici80 @cici80, Nov 17 12:42pm

I was recently diagnosed with T2 rectum cancer. I am scheduled for a resection next week and will have an ostomy bag for a while after. I am a little nervous and worried about what to expect after surgery. The pain, hospital stay and once I go home. I figured asked a support group that has been through some of these things are better than google. So, can someone help me out and let me know what to expect? Give me what you wish someone would have told you before you went through it, please. Thank you in advance for and advice.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Colorectal Cancer Support Group.

Profile picture for jon32123
jon32123 | @jon32123 | Dec 4 12:51pm
In reply to @jaspithill1946 "Those are excellent questions for your surgeon. In my case, the pain was minimal and my..." + (show)
Profile picture for jaspithill1946 @jaspithill1946

Those are excellent questions for your surgeon. In my case, the pain was minimal and my hospital stay was five nights. The ileostomy, stoma care and bag management were much less complicated than I anticipated. Your ostomy nurse will be a great resource for preparing you for your routine after leaving the hospital and selecting your preferred supplier of bags and materials. Suppliers are another great resource, are readily accessible and provide samples without obligation. I encourage you to order bag samples from all of the major suppliers to determine which ones you feel most comfortable with. I only tried and was quite happy with one-piece bags. Don’t hesitate to post any other questions or concerns you might have.

Jump to this post

@jaspithill1946
Hi
This is Jon from the UK. I have had an ileostomy due to completely different circumstances from your case so I won't make any comments about what you can expect from that. Other commenters have made much more pertinent comments than I could.
I can give you some advice regarding stoma bag management ( which I had no idea was coming before my emergency surgery) so I really had to learn about this very quickly. I have experienced all the downsides of having a stoma (ill fitting bags due to magical appearance across the abdomen of new skin creases, leaks, sore skin, and frequent bags changes,etc).
There are two words you should imprint on your brain now in my opinion: one is DRY, the other is PLANNING.
I have found it is impossible to attach a new stoma bag to skin that has the tiniest hint of moisture, either residual water after showering or from weeping sore skin. Trying to attach a stoma bag in these situations is doomed to early failure (at least in my experience). Obviously this is not the place to go into details of replacing a stoma bag but you should follow the manufacturer's instructions religiously regarding the removal and replacement of stoma bags but please always make sure your skin is really dry before attaching the new one.
Regarding PLANNING, just believe me trying to replace your stoma bag when it is active is one of the most frustrating things you will ever experience (and messiest). You will probably establish a regime when you know how soon after eating or drinking you can expect your stoma to be active and by the same token when it is likely to be less active. Time your stoma bag change to coincide with the less active period.
There are many other words of advice out there on his to live with a stoma, but I just hope these two bits of my experience help you avoid my mistakes.
And, last but not least, every stoma nurse I have encountered here in the UK has been wonderfully kind and helpful. I sincerely hope you have the same experience over there - your stoma nurse should become your new best friend. Good luck with everything.

REPLY
Profile picture for jaspithill1946
jaspithill1946 | @jaspithill1946 | Dec 5 8:06am

Highly recommend not drinking carbonated beverages. They can turn an ostomy bag into a nasty balloon that makes emptying it problematic.

REPLY
Profile picture for gbm
gbm | @gbm | Dec 5 9:05am

I’ve found that watching YouTube videos from people who share their personal experiences with ostomy bags can be very helpful. Hearing their practical tips and seeing how they manage daily routines gave me useful insights and reassurance. You may find these videos helpful as well.

REPLY
Profile picture for terrydalecasino
terrydalecasino | @terrydalecasino | Dec 8 6:33am
In reply to @terrydalecasino "@terrydalecasino Dear @cici80 I had a polyp in my ANUS and RECTAL AREA the size of..." + (show)
Profile picture for terrydalecasino @terrydalecasino

@terrydalecasino
Dear @cici80 I had a polyp in my ANUS and RECTAL AREA the size of (2) plums put together. That and I also had a fast growing cancer ♋ at the very end part of my SIGMOID COLON about (8) millimeters on the end.
After looking at my CT SCAN and seeing the cancer ♋ on my SIGMOID COLON and how what appeared to be root like lines going to the POLYP in my RECTUM AREA I just told the surgeon to take out everything that "COULD" turn into cancer ♋! He asked me if I was sure? I just said to him bring me the forms to sign.
The cancer ♋ was isolated in the SIGMOID COLON and had not gone down to my ANUS or RECTAL AREA yet, but seeing that it was a fast growing cancer ♋ that's why I made the decision I did. Besides, I needed to get the large POLYP removed anyway!
So he removed (15) centimeters of my ANUS AND RECTUM and (8) millimeters of my SIGMOID COLON WHERE THE CANCER ♋ ACTUALLY WAS AT!
The pain wasn't all that bad because he gave me good pain medicine 💊.
One thing I will tell you is that it will take a while for you to get used to the 🛍️ bag. Another thing is that you will get tired very quickly. Something I haven't gotten used to yet. But then again, I have to wear the colostomy bag 🛍️ for the rest of my life 🧬!
One thing I don't recommend is getting RADIATION OR CHEMOTHERAPY because I truly feel and think that will kill you!!!!
Just make sure you have all the cancer ♋ cells removed.
I had my surgery 01/11/2021. I no longer see the doctor who performed the surgery but I still get what's called DME SUPPLIES EVERY MONTH.
DME stands for Durable Medical Equipment.
You will hear them, the nursing staff, call them an appliance. I asked the nurse, why do you call it that? And she said because it is an appliance to aid in the discharge of stool.
I've gotten used to the bag 🛍️. But I haven't gotten used to getting tired so quickly all the time. Just take it slow and easy. One other thing!!!!!!! Tell everyone that you cannot sit normally. That's where the "REALLY BAD" PAIN comes in. Everybody is going to expect you to sit right away and you won't be able to do it. Just tell them "NOOO"!!!!!! IT IS "TOO" PAINFUL!
You're just going to have to favor one cheek at a time. It will be uncomfortable as hell, but that's what I had to do for quite a while until things started to "HEAL" UP!
I wish you all the luck 🤞🙏 and prayers. I will also ask GOD 🙏🙏🙏🙏 to help you the way he helped me.
I hope this is helpful to you.
GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AND MAY HE WATCH OVER YOU AND PROTECT YOU ALWAYS!!

Jump to this post

@terrydalecasino
I saw a product on TV that will help you while you recover and heal.
It is a donut shaped cushion that you can sit on and ease the pain.
Its from a company called
ERGONOMICS.
Look them up online and see if this will help you.
I had the same thing when I was in the nursing home and it helped quite a bit.
Good Luck 🤞🍀🤞🍀🤞🍀!

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.