👋!! I’ve just joined this group but I’ve had my ileostomy for 5 years now. I’m only here because I’ve never known something like this existed and I’m tired of talking to myself about the issues I face but only because my PCP doesn’t seem to know what to say or where to direct me. I’m seeing a new doctor in a couple of weeks who specializes in chronic issues so I’m crossing my fingers, toes and eyes.
I’m 67 and have been retired since my surgery but not because of it. I was just at a juncture in my life where I could, so I did.
If everything goes somewhat to plan over the winter months I hope to go back to work in the spring. Being retired has become boring.
I’m wanting to lose weight, the meds that I take are adding to my weight gain and having an ileostomy is difficult because my body has to fight for nutrients etc… I truly feel like I’m losing in a game of tug of war and I’m looking for help, help that I hope I can find with a new doctor.
I also know I will have my ileostomy forever along with my picc line and it didn’t cause me much grief except when I first woke up from the surgery and the first couple of months but when I could finally accept that I’d be dead without them it made it easier to deal with. I know how hard it is to deal with the whole situation especially when it’s supposed to be temporary, which mine was, and then became permanent… I just have to remind myself of that fact from time to time when I feel down about it.