Rioa, i’m so happy to hear this. I have Colitis. I am electing to have my colon removed because I can’t do the cleanup anymore. I have frequent and urgent incontinence. I’m almost 70 and have tried biologics which were horrible. My appointment to even see the surgeon is not until November. I’m from Canada and we have long waitlists and limited doctors. It’s a big decision so your post is good news. I’m wondering if you have a pouch or a J pouch and if you have leak issues? Or skin issues? All the best to you!
My surgery was done 18 months ago at Mayo in Jacksonville. My doctor was excellent. I had a double barrel ostomy. I didn’t have anything removed. My bowels are diverted from my anus where the cancer was. So basically, two ostomies were created. One for mucous and one for poop. They both come out of the same opening in my stomach. I have used Hollister products from day one. I use a 2 piece system and a closed end bag. Medicare only pays for a certain amount of supplies so I supplement with a purchase from Amazon. The closed end bag is much cleaner and less work. I also have found that the extender strips are a lifesaver. I have had 2 leaks only. Even though I change everything every other day, my skin is fine. Sometimes it gets red but I just leave it alone. I’ve found that less is more for me. One of the big issues with ostomies is the chance of a hernia forming. Wish I payed attention to it sooner because 6 months in I developed one. I am home recovering from surgery to repair it. So, be thoughtful of everything you lift, push or pull! I think this surgery is more painful than the ostomy.
I wish you the very best! Most importantly of all, my cancer is in remission! No more scans till next March.
Rioa, i’m so happy to hear this. I have Colitis. I am electing to have my colon removed because I can’t do the cleanup anymore. I have frequent and urgent incontinence. I’m almost 70 and have tried biologics which were horrible. My appointment to even see the surgeon is not until November. I’m from Canada and we have long waitlists and limited doctors. It’s a big decision so your post is good news. I’m wondering if you have a pouch or a J pouch and if you have leak issues? Or skin issues? All the best to you!
I had UC and had to have my colon removed 7 years ago so now I have a "plastic" colon. I empty it 6 or 7 times a day and change the bag every 3 days to prevent leakage (blowouts). I tried to stretch it to 4 days but it often leaks if I do. It does not limit my life though. I play golf and workout at the gym 3 days a week and do whatever physical activities I want including running. I never have to sit on the stool anymore or be concerned about colon cancer (which I never had) but the diseased organ was dragging my overall health down so I needed to have it removed. I prayed that I could honor God through my ordeal and exalt him through my experience and not myself. He has honored my prayer me in incredible ways. God Bless you and I hope you can see it as an advantage to a better life instead of the alternative.
I had UC and had to have my colon removed 7 years ago so now I have a "plastic" colon. I empty it 6 or 7 times a day and change the bag every 3 days to prevent leakage (blowouts). I tried to stretch it to 4 days but it often leaks if I do. It does not limit my life though. I play golf and workout at the gym 3 days a week and do whatever physical activities I want including running. I never have to sit on the stool anymore or be concerned about colon cancer (which I never had) but the diseased organ was dragging my overall health down so I needed to have it removed. I prayed that I could honor God through my ordeal and exalt him through my experience and not myself. He has honored my prayer me in incredible ways. God Bless you and I hope you can see it as an advantage to a better life instead of the alternative.
Wait. What? My surgeon recommends that I remove my entire colon, rectum etc., which will leave me with a bag for the rest of my life. I’ve never heard of a plastic colon. Can you elaborate?
I had UC and had to have my colon removed 7 years ago so now I have a "plastic" colon. I empty it 6 or 7 times a day and change the bag every 3 days to prevent leakage (blowouts). I tried to stretch it to 4 days but it often leaks if I do. It does not limit my life though. I play golf and workout at the gym 3 days a week and do whatever physical activities I want including running. I never have to sit on the stool anymore or be concerned about colon cancer (which I never had) but the diseased organ was dragging my overall health down so I needed to have it removed. I prayed that I could honor God through my ordeal and exalt him through my experience and not myself. He has honored my prayer me in incredible ways. God Bless you and I hope you can see it as an advantage to a better life instead of the alternative.
Thank you so much for such a lovely response. I’m on the USCrohns and colitis website and I pray for all of the people on there. For the researchers and doctors as well. I will change my prayers to be unselfish like your beautiful prayer… That I can honour God through my ordeal and exalt him through the experience and not myself.
Thank you so much for such a lovely response. I’m on the USCrohns and colitis website and I pray for all of the people on there. For the researchers and doctors as well. I will change my prayers to be unselfish like your beautiful prayer… That I can honour God through my ordeal and exalt him through the experience and not myself.
Amen!! God promises to see us through our trials but not always prevent them. That gives us a chance to glorify and honor him when others see us with God's grace patiently enduring our health challenges.
I was 70 when I had my surgery and the surgeon said he usually didn't do an internal J-pouch on someone my age. In my case he said he would do it if I wanted it because I presented as a man 10 years younger, I went to another specialist in Chicago to ask the question about a J-pouch and he said there was a 30 per cent chance I would not feel as good as I did after my removal. I decided against the reconnection (J-pouch) and I am glad I did, I have had 7 good years of feeling good and saying good bye to that constant lower tract discomfort. Praying you will feel well too,
Thanks for sharing this. I am 68. I have a fistula and a stricture in what’s left of my plumbing. The GI doctor said the fistula would likely get worse with reconnection and the stricture would have to be dilated routinely. I was leaning toward removal of everything before the surgeon said that was my best option. But the finality of this has me feeling down. I’m meeting with her later this month for a final decision, but I already know what it will be.
Thanks for sharing this. I am 68. I have a fistula and a stricture in what’s left of my plumbing. The GI doctor said the fistula would likely get worse with reconnection and the stricture would have to be dilated routinely. I was leaning toward removal of everything before the surgeon said that was my best option. But the finality of this has me feeling down. I’m meeting with her later this month for a final decision, but I already know what it will be.
Yes, I agree with you. The finality of the decision was tough for me too. I finally had to bite the bullet and do what was best. I do not regret my decision now. Incidentally, I was getting fistulas too.
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My surgery was done 18 months ago at Mayo in Jacksonville. My doctor was excellent. I had a double barrel ostomy. I didn’t have anything removed. My bowels are diverted from my anus where the cancer was. So basically, two ostomies were created. One for mucous and one for poop. They both come out of the same opening in my stomach. I have used Hollister products from day one. I use a 2 piece system and a closed end bag. Medicare only pays for a certain amount of supplies so I supplement with a purchase from Amazon. The closed end bag is much cleaner and less work. I also have found that the extender strips are a lifesaver. I have had 2 leaks only. Even though I change everything every other day, my skin is fine. Sometimes it gets red but I just leave it alone. I’ve found that less is more for me. One of the big issues with ostomies is the chance of a hernia forming. Wish I payed attention to it sooner because 6 months in I developed one. I am home recovering from surgery to repair it. So, be thoughtful of everything you lift, push or pull! I think this surgery is more painful than the ostomy.
I wish you the very best! Most importantly of all, my cancer is in remission! No more scans till next March.
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3 ReactionsI had UC and had to have my colon removed 7 years ago so now I have a "plastic" colon. I empty it 6 or 7 times a day and change the bag every 3 days to prevent leakage (blowouts). I tried to stretch it to 4 days but it often leaks if I do. It does not limit my life though. I play golf and workout at the gym 3 days a week and do whatever physical activities I want including running. I never have to sit on the stool anymore or be concerned about colon cancer (which I never had) but the diseased organ was dragging my overall health down so I needed to have it removed. I prayed that I could honor God through my ordeal and exalt him through my experience and not myself. He has honored my prayer me in incredible ways. God Bless you and I hope you can see it as an advantage to a better life instead of the alternative.
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsWait. What? My surgeon recommends that I remove my entire colon, rectum etc., which will leave me with a bag for the rest of my life. I’ve never heard of a plastic colon. Can you elaborate?
Thank you so much for such a lovely response. I’m on the USCrohns and colitis website and I pray for all of the people on there. For the researchers and doctors as well. I will change my prayers to be unselfish like your beautiful prayer… That I can honour God through my ordeal and exalt him through the experience and not myself.
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionAmen!! God promises to see us through our trials but not always prevent them. That gives us a chance to glorify and honor him when others see us with God's grace patiently enduring our health challenges.
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2 ReactionsI just meant a bag. It is plastic so I said plastic colon. I had my colon and rectum removed because I had UC in both.
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3 ReactionsI’ve got the same problems. GI doc said my insides looked healthy enough for reconnection. My surgeon said not so fast.
I was 70 when I had my surgery and the surgeon said he usually didn't do an internal J-pouch on someone my age. In my case he said he would do it if I wanted it because I presented as a man 10 years younger, I went to another specialist in Chicago to ask the question about a J-pouch and he said there was a 30 per cent chance I would not feel as good as I did after my removal. I decided against the reconnection (J-pouch) and I am glad I did, I have had 7 good years of feeling good and saying good bye to that constant lower tract discomfort. Praying you will feel well too,
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Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsThanks for sharing this. I am 68. I have a fistula and a stricture in what’s left of my plumbing. The GI doctor said the fistula would likely get worse with reconnection and the stricture would have to be dilated routinely. I was leaning toward removal of everything before the surgeon said that was my best option. But the finality of this has me feeling down. I’m meeting with her later this month for a final decision, but I already know what it will be.
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsYes, I agree with you. The finality of the decision was tough for me too. I finally had to bite the bullet and do what was best. I do not regret my decision now. Incidentally, I was getting fistulas too.
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