Hey, everyone. I have an ileostomy for about 3 years now from rectal cancer. I have adjusted very well to my ileo and my life is very much as it was before. However, my cancer continues to come back and I've had 1/2 lung removed and a vaginal tumor removed. Now, my doctors say that I have another small tumor in my vagina that will have to be surgically removed. At this time, they are saying that they will likely have to take my entire vagina and bladder and I will then have a urostomy. sigh I am trying to process all of this information. I have responded very well to all of my prior surgeries, my ileostomy and chemo/radiation so far...but honestly, I feel like I don't know if I can do a double ostomy. And I am feeling very overwhelmed with losing what I see as the last of my womanhood (my vagina) ...I had a complete hysterectomy when I had my first surgery in 2019. Now they want to take the only female organ that I have left. And my bladder. Which to my knowledge, isn't even diseased. Anyway, I am just needing some support right now and some words of wisdom. Especially from a female who is a double ostomate and can relate and explain what life is like with TWO bags!! I am 58 years old and have a long standing history of UC, which lead to a J-Pouch for 20 years, which developed a cancerous tumor that ruptured in 2019, starting this whole process. (just some background) Thank you for listening. Lori
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Resuming your personal and work life after ostomy surgery can be challenging to adjust to a new life.
Learn ways to adjust to life after ostomy surgery.
Learn ways to adjust to life after ostomy surgery.