Ostomy: Adapting to life after colostomy, ileostomy or urostomy

Posted by Colleen Young, Connect Director @colleenyoung, Sep 20, 2017

It takes time to become comfortable with an ostomy — a surgically created opening in your abdomen that allows waste or urine to leave your body.

Many questions may run through your mind as you practice good ostomy care and live your life. It can help to talk to others who have been there. Perhaps you'd like to ask others questions like: What can I eat? What about leaks? Can I go back to work after colostomy? Can I ride a bike with an ileostomy? Will everyone figure out I've had urostomy surgery just by looking at me? What about intimacy?

Welcome ostomates. Let's talk frankly about living with an ostomy. Why not start by introducing yourself? What type of ostomy do you have? How's it going?

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

racing212 | @racing212 | Feb 12 9:33pm

March 2nd

racing212 | @racing212 | Feb 12 9:32pm

Thank you for the hug

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Feb 12 9:10pm

In reply to @racing212 "I am getting nervous. They are doing an ablation on my kidney." + (show)

When will they be doing the ablation, @racing212?

racing212 | @racing212 | Feb 11 4:19pm

I am getting nervous. They are doing an ablation on my kidney.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Feb 11 9:49am

In reply to @racing212 "Hi. I'm going to mayo clinic on February 28th and on March 2nd have a mass..." + (show)

@racing212, I can imagine you're scared. I know you've been through a lot. Sending you strength for the upcoming appointments and surgery. You are in good hands at Mayo Clinic (as you know).

Here is the discussion where you were connecting with others about kidney cancer and follow up:
– Re: My Scan Results for followup of Renal Cell Carcinoma https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/re-scans/?pg=4#comment-282000

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Feb 11 9:45am

In reply to @gallbladder14 "I have an iliostomy" + (show)

Hi @gallbladder14, how long have you had an ileostomy? How are you doing?

racing212 | @racing212 | Feb 4 7:33am

Hi. I'm going to mayo clinic on February 28th and on March 2nd have a mass removed from my right kidney and the Dr thinks that it is cancer. How do I cope with that. Not knowing what to do if I should have it removed or let it go. I've had cancer before and not sure if I should fight it it or not

gallbladder14 | @gallbladder14 | Feb 3 10:02pm

I have an iliostomy

collenp | @collenp | Jan 30 5:39pm

In reply to @jimgeb "I have had State IV prostate cancer for 11 years but didn't need treatment for the..." + (show)

I send Heartfelt prayers to you. And I am very sorry for the loss of your wife. Do you have family or friends nearby to help you and spend time with you.
I pray for you to have strength and for your higher power to intercede on your behalf.
Take care

jimgeb | @jimgeb | Jan 29 7:39pm

In reply to @mlmcg "Having any surgery when you are in good health is better than having emergency surgery, the..." + (show)

I have had State IV prostate cancer for 11 years but didn't need treatment for the first 5 years because of low PSA. Started Lupron followed by about 7 treatments of docetaxal over the past 6 years. However the prostate cancer has entered my rectum and I am now scheduled for Pluvicto this week. Now having bowel problems and don't see much chance it will help the bowel situation but maybe I'll try it anyway. Not much to lose. I'm 79 years old and have been pretty lucky with my quality of life over the last 11 years, except for losing my wife to cancer 4 years ago, and have made the decision not to have a colostomy bag when that becomes necessary.