life

I don't know how I got to be 72. One day I was 32 and the next 72. I've had my ileostomy for more than half my life. I had no one to talk to then in the same position. No internet. The thing I looked forward to most was the monthly edition of the IA magazine. I went straight to the back where I could read the letters from subscribers. Not many, but I was intrigued to hear their stories and problems. I mostly haven't had any problems (incidents I can laugh about now) apart from three years ago when my intestine burst. In 1986, my hospital had to bring a surgeon down from London to do my operation. I could choose the position, and he was spot on. I never had time to think about it, but he saved my life, enabling me to continue raising my two young daughters.

Anyway, I just wanted to say I love life and am grateful I have made it so far and hope to have at least another 20 years.

I’m not sure how I stay 18. 🤷‍♂️ you have the right mindset, keep enjoying. 👍

You have right mindset also.

What really helped me in those early days was that my husband still fancied me and loved me.  Plus the fact I was so healthy with getting rid of the bad colon and no more pain.  

The days, weeks, and years do go by quickly. I'm already 19 months post-op. Wow.

I'm so used to having a colostomy, I don't really think about it anymore.

It is amazing if we step back and think about it. The internet allows people from all over the world to converse with each other almost instantaneously.

The only reason I'm doing so well with my ostomy is this website. And all the worldwide fellow ostomates who provide their experiences, tips, advice, and heartaches.

Life is a random event. Some people have few physical problems. Others are plagued with illness. I've had lots of illnesses/surgeries... took a licking... but still ticking.

Megs,

This may be the happiest I’ve felt while reading a topic on this forum. Very heartwarming and spirit lifting.

Thank you ❤️

Staying Hydrated with an Ostomy with LeeAnne Hayden | Hollister

Perhaps it’s only mental…🫵   

😂 The mental part is 95% of everything we do; the other 5% should be ignored or be seen for. 🤷‍♂️😁

So glad you're doing well after your "licking".  I enjoy very much seeing your photos on your bike rides and walks.  The birds, the sea, the restaurants.

Hi Megs, What a great and inspiring post! You and I have a lot in common, it seems. We are the same age, for one. I know I (usually) feel like a 25-year-old, until I look in the mirror! I lived with a bad colon as well, and my ileostomy saved me. Life is good. I'm wondering, though, about your comment on your intestine bursting three years ago? It's a fear I have, as being ileostomates, it's all we have left. What happened and how was it resolved?

Terry

Well, Terry, it started in the summer of 2020. I had pain and blockages and attended A&E on three occasions. On one of those, they performed an ileoscopy, going in through my tummy with students standing around who had never seen an ostomy before. They unblocked it, and the consultant said everything looked normal. My spout didn't look normal to me. It was swollen and looked different. I kept telling them how bad the pain was, but they didn't seem to care. I had erythema ab igna on my tummy from the hot water bottle. I had CT and MRI scans, but nothing was found. It was after Christmas 2021 when at 11 PM one night, I felt a pop in my stomach. I was throwing up brown liquid and in a lot of pain. I rang 999, and I was taken straight in. They got a consultant out of bed to come in. They cut me open along the same line as in 1986. They removed a 6-inch piece of intestine. They used the same ostomy site, washed me out, but I had peritonitis and was treated with a range of antibiotics. Five weeks in the hospital. Blood transfusion and iron infusions. The piece of colon was cancerous. They took it all out, and I have yearly CT scans. I'm 100% well again and eating mostly everything but chewing well. They apologized to me that I wasn't listened to. I accepted as I know their workload was heavy. I don't know what caused the cancer. I had UC originally. What caused your bad colon originally? I had my op when I was 34, but looking back, I think I had problems from when I was a young teen. I'm glad you're healthy and feel good. We're all different, so I don't think you should worry about cancer.

Sorry this is so long, but that's my story. It's great not to have any pain, as that is the worst pain ever that you have no control over. We could be twins! My best wishes,

Megs

P.S. Terry... I have just read your profile and see what you have been through. Yes, very similar with blockages, etc. I think you'll be okay now that you have got rid of your bad colon. 🤗

G-Day Megs, you sound like a very caring lady. I am so glad you're in a good place at the moment. Regards, IGGIE

Hi Megs,  OMG, you've been through a lot!  So, they removed a piece of your small intestine? Do you now have what they call 'short bowel syndrome'?  I'm not worried about cancer, just concerned that blockages could result in a perforation of my small bowel.  It was a perforated large bowel that resulted in my first surgery.  It was the result of years of what was called 'constipation' but was really just a large bowel that didn't work properly.  The muscles didn't move the stool along as they were supposed to.  The correct diagnosis was 'colonic inertia', but I didn't get that until after my colostomy, when they discovered that the bowel didn't work any better with a colostomy than it had before.  Hence the ileostomy, which changed my life for the better.  I just want to keep my small bowel healthy, so I chew my food like crazy, and hope for the best!

Terry

Hi Terry, The piece taken out was about 6 inches and they never mentioned "short bowel syndrome". to me although I have read up about it. My body must absorb enough nutrients from the remainder as  I feel so well and I'm always careful to chew like crazy too.

I think our small bowels are very tough and as long as we avoid foods we know are bad we should be okay.

I bet you were amazed when you finally got an ileostomy to feel what it was like to be healthy.

Megs

Yes,  It was amazing to not have pain and discomfort as my normal!

Terry