Celebrating One Year with My Life-Saving Ostomy

On March 8th one year ago I had colostomy surgery. It is not an exaggeration to say that had I not had the surgery, I would not be here today. I was wasting away from Crohn's Disease, my body was getting no nutrition, I was anemic from constant bleeding, and weighed 90 pounds less than I do today. So an ostomy saved my life. It has been a pain sometimes, and there has been a learning curve, but to move from death to life has no downside.

  So say hello to my little friend, it is one year old

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  KBD

happy one year!

Thanks

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I wouldn't be here either. I have Crohn's, had a fistula perforate my bowel and had an emergency colostomy. It was eleven months from then, this past January that I had a reversal and all is going well. I was so thankful for the life saving colostomy. If I ever have to get another one it will be permanent. I got used to it and could live with it for the rest of my life, as many people do!

Mine was due to cancer. Mine is also 2 years.

Staying Hydrated with an Ostomy with LeeAnne Hayden | Hollister

I had fistulas and abscesses, a real mess. I was asked if I would ever want it reversed, I said "no way", my life was so miserable with Crohn's, the abscesses, fistulas, fevers, pain, I never wanted to go through that again. I don't regret my decision. I know everyone has different situations. If I had not been in such bad shape with the Crohn's, I probably would have opted for a reversal, but I had suffered so much for so many years I was ready to be done with it.
KBD

Congratulations, kbd! You definitely have the right attitude for long-term adjustment. And by the way, reversals aren't always what one is led to believe. Mine caused me unnecessary pain and suffering for 5 years, and you will also see many others on this site who had little, if any, benefit from a reversal and shortly went back to the pouching system.

That's not to say I would ever discourage someone from trying a reversal!

Thanks Pinky!

Congratulations, kbd, well said. Same kind of situation; just want to get on with life. Just had my 9th operation; I tell you, I'm over it. xxxxxxxx mooza

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Thanks Mooza! I hope you recover well and quickly from your operation.

KBD