First Day Back at Work with an Ostomy and Feeling Sick

Yesterday was my first official day of work since I got an ileostomy last April, and it's nothing hard; I work at an organic juice bar. Well, I got sick, puked three times: once before driving there, once when I got there, and once after I told my boss I didn't feel well and had to get home, at a stop light. I'm not even home yet... Maybe it was my nerves, but it's been forever since I was healthy enough to have a job, and now I'm free of the Crohn's (basically) and I still get sick, on my first day of the job no less! Has this happened to anyone?

Could have just been nerves? Had you been feeling ill the day before?

It takes a lot to get your confidence back after these dreadful ops, so hopefully it's nerves that will fade eventually. I'm the same; it kinda knocks the stuffing out of you. xx

Yeah, I figured it was nerves, and I've only had my ileostomy for like 4 months. My last legit job was a year ago, and since then I haven't been able to hold up a job because of Crohn's. That's why I was so pissed that I got sick. I mean, I'm fine and healthy, no Crohn's lingering anywhere. I mean, I just ate a meatball sub and feel great...come now. I worked there for 2 days and I was stressed out and freaking out, like how I felt that shitty week after surgery. Ahhh! Now that I'm not working, I'm fine again, just got no money. :p

So they fired you? I try to make things a mind over matter thing. I forget about the Crohn's and concentrate on the task at hand. What kind of work do you do? Remember, no one will know you have Crohn's unless you tell them; the same applies to your ostomy. I work in an office of 60, and only 4 people know, and that's only because I have known 3 of them for 25+ years, and the other was my boss, who has many medical issues as well. We sit and compare notes on surgeries...

Words of Encouragement from Ostomy Advocates I Hollister

Hello, I wanted to know if anyone could give me some advice. I just had surgery on September 8th. I had diverticulitis and they removed the affected area of my intestine, but now I have an ileostomy and a bag. I need some advice as it always leaks because I have a crease in my belly. Also, my nurse stated to me that it is retracted a little because I had bridges that were holding it up, and the bridges split through it when it fell out, so now I have a split ileostomy. I'm so scared; I sit around and cry all day. I'm afraid that it may go all the way in and I will get deadly sick. This is supposed to be a temporary thing; I am due for reversal in 2 months. I'm just so scared. Please give me advice on this ileostomy that retracted some.

Char2011 tried to message you, but you don't have a profile. So, my suggestion is this: go back to your stoma nurse. Retracted stomas happen, but it takes some time to find the right appliance. It's early days for you; you're bound to feel tearful. I know I did; I imagined my life would be centered around poo! You may well need to have a revision of your stoma, but I imagine more surgery isn't something you want to think about right now. There are some pretty wonderful people on this site, and they all want to help you and just listen if you need to offload. So, take a deep breath; you're going to get through this, I promise. Trish

Hey CHAR2011, I know how you feel. When I got my ileostomy for the first time, everything went wrong. I would always leak, and then because I was leaking, an incision opened up above my stoma about 2 inches long and a few inches deep. I could see my sutures inside! I freaked the hell out. But now that's healed, but you know what I was doing wrong that made my bag leak all the time? Well, first I wasn't cutting the hole big enough. Make sure it's cut so it fits nicely at the bottom. I am also cutting the hole off-center because it's so close to my belly button, and what I just realized is that I have a fistula (however that's spelled) right where the stoma and skin meet, so I always make sure the wafer doesn't cover it. You learn as you go along, trust me. I was freaking out for a long time. Mine is reversible too. I can get it reversed now, but I'm choosing not to. I got used to it, and I can eat so much amazing food! Before, I was gluten and lactose intolerant for 8 years...not fun. I just had a giant bowl of pasta... so worth it! And I just went snorkeling with the bag! Any questions though, feel free to ask. I'm no expert, but I have learned a few tricks here and there. And for BUDD002, no, I quit before they could fire me because I've been fired from many other jobs because my Crohn's acted up. I didn't tell them I had Crohn's or the bag, didn't feel like explaining. They just thought I had a hangover, being sick and throwing up in the restroom... I wish that's what it was. Yeah, only my close friends know about the bag. Sometimes I mention it when I have to, to someone, but rarely.

Sorry this happened, but you do have to think of your future by being positive and figuring out how to stop puking. Maybe you could eat a cracker when you feel it coming on, or take anxiety pills from the doctor, or herbs to calm you down. Passion flower or even kava may calm you down, and you can purchase them at a health store. I personally get anxiety attacks at night, or even during the day I feel like the walls are closing in on me. I never had this feeling before the ileoso I am forced to take doctors' medications. Good luck, Buterfly48.

Sorry to butt in, but could anybody tell me if they have had this amount of problems? I had my surgery done a year ago. When I had the surgery for a colostomy, everything went fine. I was out of the hospital within 1 week. After coming home, about a week later, I passed out and was taken back to the hospital. I had an infection in my stoma. I then had more surgery to drill 2 holes, 1 on either side of my stoma, to release the infection. Within 2 days of having this done, I developed an abscess and had to go back into surgery. I was on IV antibiotics and in the hospital for another 7 weeks. Since I have been home, I have been on antibiotics as my infection keeps reappearing. I have a very large hernia also. If anybody could give me some advice, I would greatly appreciate it. My family calls me Lucky, but you can call me Tricia.

Hi Tricia, I'm so sorry to hear of your problems; I know what it's like. I have had similar problems to you since I had my colostomy on 31/1/11. I was also readmitted with a bad pelvic infection and had to have another operation and then a rectal drain. Honestly, the things some of us have to go through, eh! I now have a large hernia, the size of half a melon, but I have found life a lot easier since I got a hernia belt. Do you still see your stoma nurse, as she can arrange this? Also, I don't know about you, but it means I can't see to change bags, so I have to use a mirror. The other thing I have found is that since I had a bladder fistula removed at the same time, I am a lot more prone to stress incontinence, presumably as the hernia is pressing on something. So, I do find getting showered and dressed in the morning takes a lot longer now, as by the time I am padded up underneath for leakages and rectal discharges, then my corset, then I wear a homemade sling to help support it a bit as I have a lot of scars from previous surgeries, and then I wear specially designed underwear that I make myself with a pouch for the bag, otherwise, it rubs my groin and makes it bleed. I hope that this has given you some ideas, but can I ask how your diet is, as it sounds as if you are run down as well. I know with mine, I am on iron as I am so restricted and cannot tolerate much yet, but I do know some people can eat anything. I hope you start to feel better soon. I did as soon as I joined this site. Jenny

Sorry, just realised I talk too much!! Jenny

Hi Jenny, it is so nice to speak to someone who understands what I'm going through. I am very lucky to be able to eat pretty much what I want; my hernia is the size of a football, so it restricts me from doing any exercise. I have tried the support belts and the knickers, but none of them seem to work for me. Yes, I am still with my stoma nurse; she is excellent and very helpful. My GP thinks I may have a bladder fistula as well as the perianal fistula, as I keep wetting myself and I know nothing about it until it's too late. Did this happen when you had yours? Thanks for your advice; I will definitely try the homemade sling to hold it up, ha ha. Tricia x

Hi Tricia, also hope that anybody else out there might be able to help with your problem. I can understand that you must feel painful and uncomfortable as I certainly would without my belt (corset). I always tell my orthotist (the lady who measures and fits them) that it is a relief to put it on in the morning, but boy, is it a relief to take it off again at night. How do you manage for clothes, as I am now in maternity wear!! Speak soon. Jenny

Hi Jenny, I have my next appointment with the surgeon on 11/10, so hopefully, I will get a date for my repair surgery. I wear just baggy tops and elasticated leggings most of the time, but I never feel smart when I go to work.

Jelly, just realised I took over your page, so sorry. I have colostomy so don't know too much about the ileo's but you seem to have the right attitude so I'm sure you will get there in the end.

Hey Supernan, no worries, I'm glad my blog opened up other conversations :)