@duckduck2020 Oh my gosh, in that case do it! Have that ileostomy done so you can get on with your chemo treatments.
You’re having all those issues with diverticulitis so your lower intestine are not functioning properly. The ileostomy will help with that. It’s also reversible and may not be a permanent situation in your case, but a means to get moving forward. ☺️.
At least by getting that done, you’re making a step in the right direction again to getting your cancer in check!
I know it sounds awful and it’s not a walk in the park. A good friend of mine went through a similar experience and found that the anxiety and ‘thoughts’ of this procedure seriously out-weighed the actual event. It helped her get on the road to recovery.
I’ve been in your shoes...not the ileostomy part, but I had a very serious cancer journey and a bone marrow transplant. Believe me there were days I found it hard to get up in the morning...as in, “What fresh hell awaits today?” But they were short-lived moments as I knew I was not done on the face of this earth yet. I worked around all the tubes and pokey things out of my chest and all the other delightful trappings at the time.
It was all worth the effort and aggravation! I’m still here, and an advocate for positive thinking. So grab all the strength you have and face this head on, my friend. You’re stronger than you think!

I’m also from your neck of the woods. So I know you are getting good care. What hospital will you be in for the surgery? Are you with Green Bay Oncology?