@meningone - I understand that this new GI problem is overwhelming. I don’t mean to push you to make decisions- I just get passionate! All of us here in this group have gone through many different ordeals with our GI tract and like you have not always understood what’s happening.
I think I can try to explain what the doctor means by saying you have a colon of an 80 year old. You say that you have had severe constipation most of your life. When that happens the colon stretches more and more- like a pantyhose. It will also affect the ability to contract and move the stool forward. That is probably why the doctor talks about doing a colostomy- you would have a colostomy bag where the stool from small intestine empties. The colon would not have any function.
It would be good for you to have him or a nurse explain your problem in detail.
We are always here to listen!