Bladder Cancer: How is a urostomy connected?

Posted by gordy6898p @gordy6898p, Oct 30, 2023

I'm currently on my second infusion of Chemo for bladder cancer.....

At some point the VA hospital in Madison, WI plans to surgically remove both my bladder and prostate.

Apparently my kidneys will be connected to an abdominal stoma and urine collection bag.

What is used to make those connections... flesh from elsewhere, plastic tubing, whatever?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Ostomy Support Group.

jmcmurdo | @jmcmurdo | Nov 8, 2023

Hi Collen! I was born with spina bifida. Back then (1965) rather than Ditropan to help the bladder retain the urine and the use of catheters, they performed ileal diversions/urostomies. My ostomy allowed me to go to public school instead of a special needs school (I wouldn't have been allowed to go in diapers in those days), and easily go to sleepovers, swim at the local pool, live with roommates in college, etc. 🙂

jmcmurdo | @jmcmurdo | Nov 8, 2023

In reply to @gordy6898p "Thanks for the information on adhesive spray. Take care." + (show)

Sure! I just checked...I use Adapt Medical Adhesive #7730 by Hollister. Using adhesive spray was a real gamechanger for me! 🙂

gordy6898p | @gordy6898p | Nov 8, 2023

In reply to @jmcmurdo "Sure! I just checked...I use Adapt Medical Adhesive #7730 by Hollister. Using adhesive spray was a..." + (show)

Thanks, I've made a record of that...

Chemo infusion #3 is next Wednesday at the VA hospital in Madison, WI. I'll
see if I can get an idea of what they will, or won't, be providing.

gordy6898p | @gordy6898p | Nov 8, 2023

In reply to @jmcmurdo "Hi Collen! I was born with spina bifida. Back then (1965) rather than Ditropan to help..." + (show)

Thanks, hope you keep doing so well.

jmcmurdo | @jmcmurdo | Nov 9, 2023

In reply to @gordy6898p "Thanks, hope you keep doing so well." + (show)

Thank you, me too! My parents are 91 but look and act 75. Both are very active and social. My grandmothers lived to 96 and 97. I have a lot of longevity in my history, so I hope I can stay active and healthy most of my days!

jmcmurdo | @jmcmurdo | Nov 9, 2023

In reply to @jmcmurdo "Hi Collen! I was born with spina bifida. Back then (1965) rather than Ditropan to help..." + (show)

@colleenyoung Oops ! Sorry for the missing "e" in your name in my reply to you, Colleen! Signed, Juli < --See what I did there? 🙂

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Nov 9, 2023

In reply to @jmcmurdo "Hi Collen! I was born with spina bifida. Back then (1965) rather than Ditropan to help..." + (show)

Hi Juli(e) 🙂 Thanks for catching the misspelling so that I would see your reply. I appreciate your willingness to share your ostomy history. I understand your adult outlook of how the ostomy permitted the world of public school, sleepovers, roommates, etc. Did you perceive it that way as a child too? Did you hide your ostomy or was it something friends and roommates knew about and you were able to help them learn and understand?