Ostomy: Adapting to life after colostomy, ileostomy or urostomy

I wasn’t able to have a reversible. As far returning to a normal life, that’s possible with some lifestyle adjustments. I have found that if I eat out I will need to empty my pouch relatively soon. I carry a collapsible Platypus bottle in my fanny pack for that purpose.
On rare occasions I have had a leak so I carry a pouch etc in the fanny pack as well.
The Boy Scout motto “Be prepared” is the key.

Hello, I’m Angela I had my first ileostomy inlay 15 because I have familia adenomatous polyposis (fap) at first I struggle with it I got depressed and wanted to be anti social but I was able to get a reversal done and in 2019 I had to get my second ileostomy because I was struggling with obstruction and they couldn’t exactly find out what was causing them but I was more confident happy it brought joy to my life now that I’m thinking about honestly I would go to the beach everywhere I was always showing it off I wore non transparent bags and I had it for 9 months and I ended up getting an obstruction and had to have a reversal again and last month I ended up going to the hospital because I thought I had an obstruction when I actually had a necrotic j-pouch so they had to remove my pouch and now Im 23 with a permanent ileostomy and I’ve adapted and I can’t complain it saved my life. It was either get an ileostomy or lose my life because of how severe it was I go back to work next week I’m kinda nervous and scared for some reason but I know I got this my stoma is pretty healthy and scars are healing good at time my skin feels tender whenever it’s time to change my bag I always shower without it on the day I need to replace it so my stoma can get some fresh air too but I’m definitely looking forward to the future. The only thing that I’m at a conflict about is having kids because I want them but at the same time I don’t because I would hate for my child to go through what I went/currently going through

@angievaz29, you've been through a lot. It sounds like you've faced many different emotions and have arrived at a point of acceptance and embracing life. Have you been able to connect with anyone else in your age group who lives with an ostomy?

I hope you're enjoying the long weekend. How is the return to work going?

Definitely has been challenging for me and no I haven’t but I’m not really open about publicly and work was alright

The Platypus bottle folds flat and has sports cap with a nozzle. It’s easy to carry and works nearly as well as the wash bottle. Amazon carries it in various sizes.
My ileostomy isn’t reversible because of the underlying cause. I had radiation therapy for prostate cancer in 2006. It cured the cancer but caused extensive damage to surrounding tissue: I have a recto-urethral fistula and a urethral stricture.

I had a colostomy on 6/1/2023. I’m doing fairly well. The difficulties I’m having are constipation and pancaking. Living in an independent living facility so am limited by food choices and taste changes from radiation and chemo following dx of throat cancer. Am trying stool softeners that I don’t think is working very well. Other issue is the ostomy pouch and adhesive laying on stitches from surgery. I’m told it may take 6-9 months before they dissolve. The pressure of the bag is enough to cause the pouch to be uncomfortable. Has anyone dealt with that issue? Thanks. Nancy

@a009507, I wanted to check in to see how you are doing. Have you managed to find a way to make the pouch more comfortable? Have you found a stool softener that helps?