Adjusting to Life with an Ileostomy After Cancer Surgery

I found out I had carcinoid cancer and the tumor was in my rectum in September 2011. I had lower anterior resection with mesorectal excision surgery on November 28. My surgeon is letting my colon rest for a few months before reconnecting, so I woke up with an ileostomy! I had never heard of one before now. LOL... Needless to say, it has been a challenge with this one, finding a bag that works, getting it to not leak, praying for my skin to heal up, etc. Finally, after almost 6 weeks post-op, I am finally getting the hang of it. It still hurts around the stoma itself (burn, itch), although my skin is healed up. I can't wait for the resection!

Hello and welcome to the site my friend. I understand you're challenges. Like you I woke up with an ileostomy and was quite unprepared. But with continuing recovery and determination (no choice as mine is permanent), I soon overcame my apprehension and fear, learned to accept the new me, and almost 13 years later, it's just another part of me, no more and no less. Don't misunderstand, I'll NEVER love it, but I sure do appreciate what it's given to me, a life. So if you can, just try to remember that your stoma is a miracle tool allowing for your continued recovery and return to good health. I wish you only the best during your recovery and tremendous success with your resection and reversal........Until then...We're Ostomy sisters....Take care Sis, BEG

Hi, and a very big welcome to the site. There are some truly amazing people on here offering support and advice. I know I couldn't have coped without it. I wish you every success with your future op and hope that you'll let us know how it goes. Mrs O xx

Thank you so much for your comments! It has already picked me up! I am so very thankful to be alive and I do feel guilty sometimes for getting aggravated but I am human with all the human-ness that comes along with it LOL. Also my doctor got all of the cancer out with no chemo! So..I thank GOD for that..ND

Hey Latina, I understand that awful healing around the stoma hurts like shite. Oops. Lingo seems we all have our human-ness. Your cancer-free, that's terrific! Now you're on the road (hopefully) to recovery and a reversal, so things, even if you think they are shite, the light at the end of the tunnel is there waiting for you. Time is a healer (haha, my own saying too), but my time is running so slow. I want to fast forward to better health and to enjoy life properly, not just putting up with it. Oh, I thought this was gonna be a happy comment. Looks like I went high then low. Ok, I'm off to see my stoma nurse today, thank God or thank the phone LOL :)

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