Hi, I am Richard. I am told that I need an ostomy so that I don't get any further infections. I had prostate cancer in 2005 and had radiation. I had a non cancer lower bowel resection in 2002 with about 12" of lower bowel by rectum removed. I now have a fistual between the bladder and the colon in that area so that my bladder empties into my colon which also means some colon matter gets into my bladder causing possibilities for infection. After 2 years like this, I have had 2 bad infections lasting about 10 days each and taken care of by antibiotics. How bad does it have to get before I have to get an ostomy? How bad were the others on this site before they had the surgery?