I guess that a colostomy is not to be feared but I certainly did not want one.
If something is worthy of being dreaded and avoided it should be Chemo. Just my opinion.
My discovery of sigmoid colon cancer lead to resection surgery within 10 weeks. Jokingly, I told my doctor, "I better not wake up with a bag"!
Surgery was good without any problems during or afterwards. Cancer was found in one lymph node.
Later scans showed a lung Nodule that was suspicious.
So 7 weeks after colon surgery I had lung wedge resection surgery.
Both doctors expressed a certainty that all cancer had been removed during each surgery.
And based on that, I was surprised to be referred to Oncology for chemo.
I fell back on what my two great doctors believed and I graciously said "no thanks" to chemo, radiation and pills.
Now 6 months later since colon surgery and 4 months since lung surgery, I feel as great as I ever did with no problem or pain.
Had a 6 month followup with CT SCAN last week and nothing remarkable was found anywhere.
At 72 years old and in my favor was overall good health with no prior medical history, average weight, no high cholesterol or blood pressure, no diabetes, etc.
Chemo or radiation before surgery was never mentioned to me. Straight to surgery and doctor did not see me as a candidate for a colostomy bag based on my colon tumor location. I think that he also possessed great confidence in his own abilities with these surgeries and was comfortable in making predictions. Dr. Thekkeurumbil in Indianapolis is the best !!