@catbaloo76
Yes. Scary times. I had no idea I was so sick--thought it was pneumonia, and my nurse practitioner came to see me, called EMS and essentially forced me to go to the hospital. In doing so, she saved my life. I was there several days before the diagnosis of diverticulitis with a perforated colon, sepsis, major kidney impact, and yes, pneumonia, was made. Moved to the surgery service, and operated on that night and in the ICU and one step down for several more nights for a total of 2 weeks, also. I learned later that the hospital staff wasn't sure I was going to make it, but I did!
At first, I was determined to have a reversal, and was terrified by the bag. I was blessed that the mother of that same nurse practitioner had recently retired as an ostomy nurse, and started working with me a step at a time so that I was comfortable with the process. Now, almost a year later, I would not even consider a reversal--it just seems like too much risk at 82, and no guarantees that there will not be complications. I will just keep on keeping on with Buddy (that is the name of my ostomy) and cope with the occasional mishap.
I tried different appliances and arrived at a version that works very well for me. It is a single use Coloplast bag (oh, how I hated squeezing the other type) and, while it takes care to keep my skin healthy, it just comes off, goes in a heavy black plastic bag (Seal and Toss System I get from Amazon) and I replace it once or twice a day as needed. This process is likely not what others find workable, but it is for me.
Now for my hair, which had been enviable, and is again! I started taking Biotin vitamins and using Biotin shampoo and conditioner, and I am almost back to where I was before. EXCEPT that my head is now covered with curly hair that I am having to learn what to do with it! But as my hairdresser tells me to be, I am grateful for just having my hair back and I am learning to manage the curls.
I hope things go well with you, too, and with everybody on this board that have shared the same situation. We are alive and well--and that is what counts. Best wishes, and enjoy every day. Bette