Hello, all. I'm so happy I've found this website! My mother who is 79 had surgery last October, and most of her large intestine was removed. She now has an illeostomy bag. Since Mom doesn't own a computer, she doesn't have access to any kind of support group, so I'd like to ask a few questions on her behalf.
She has been hospitalized 3 times since her surgery, due to blockages in what's left of her small intestine, which is "free floating" according to her doctor. Sometimes it "crimps", but other times she gets bits of food in there, that causes the blockages I mentioned. Recently she told me that sometimes the food in the bag is whole and undigested, such as bits of carrot, peas, etc.
Also, she apparently has a long list of foods she isn't supposed to eat, and every time she's had a blockage she tries to brainstorm what might have caused it, and she adds things to this list. I'm afraid she's not going to get the proper nutrition she needs. She hasn't lost any weight, so I guess that's a good thing.
Another issue she seems to have, is that she feels she needs 3 hands in order to be able to remove the bag, and put on a new one, all the while her stoma is "erupting" material. So............does anyone have any thoughts or advice on these issues?
Her surgery was very serious and she was in rough shape for a while, and her doctor only gave her 25% chance of pulling through. I'm very grateful to have her, needless to say, and would like to do anything I can to help her with the difficulties she's having. Oh.......one more thing.......she's had lots of issues with her bag leaking, at home, but more importantly when she's been out in public. I don't want her to become a recluse because of this.
Thanks for reading this long letter.
Sharon
She has been hospitalized 3 times since her surgery, due to blockages in what's left of her small intestine, which is "free floating" according to her doctor. Sometimes it "crimps", but other times she gets bits of food in there, that causes the blockages I mentioned. Recently she told me that sometimes the food in the bag is whole and undigested, such as bits of carrot, peas, etc.
Also, she apparently has a long list of foods she isn't supposed to eat, and every time she's had a blockage she tries to brainstorm what might have caused it, and she adds things to this list. I'm afraid she's not going to get the proper nutrition she needs. She hasn't lost any weight, so I guess that's a good thing.
Another issue she seems to have, is that she feels she needs 3 hands in order to be able to remove the bag, and put on a new one, all the while her stoma is "erupting" material. So............does anyone have any thoughts or advice on these issues?
Her surgery was very serious and she was in rough shape for a while, and her doctor only gave her 25% chance of pulling through. I'm very grateful to have her, needless to say, and would like to do anything I can to help her with the difficulties she's having. Oh.......one more thing.......she's had lots of issues with her bag leaking, at home, but more importantly when she's been out in public. I don't want her to become a recluse because of this.
Thanks for reading this long letter.
Sharon