Adjusting to Life with an Ileostomy Near Lincoln

Had my ileostomy five months now, just beginning to get my head around it.
I live near Lincoln and would love to chat and share experiences.

Toffee apple,
Welcome to the site. Five months is not very long, so you are doing well getting yourself sorted with living with a stoma.
All people are different; some can move on at once while others take a bit longer.
I live in the Midlands and have an ileo as well.
Gee07
🔒 Login to see image

Hey TA, five months is quite recent... I am sure you're not even fully healed yet, but it will come.
I've had mine for twenty years, and some days it still feels new and strange!! lol

Give it time, and you will be surprised how you will adjust. It is not the end of the world, rather the beginning of a new one.
🔒 Login to see image


On a personal note, my Mum comes from Nottingham, which I believe is close to your neck of the woods.

If you should have any pressing questions... please let's hear them because we are here to support one another.

God bless

Paul

I think you guys are the greatest. Always there is someone to listen and help out. Thank you so much. It really does help. Gratitude
🔒 Login to see image

AWW shucks, minirubie, we always try to help; you're special people, Ed.

Staying Hydrated with an Ostomy with LeeAnne Hayden | Hollister

Thanks all for replying, it's good to know I'm not on my own. I am doing my best to stay positive. When I first had my bowel removed, they made a pouch. Unfortunately, it leaked after a week, causing all the problems that led to me being in the hospital for nearly three months. I go back to Lincoln on Monday; they want to see if it has repaired enough to try again. I'm so scared I'm having anesthesia, so I'll be asleep when they look!!! I haven't let them examine me since the ileostomy was done. No one has seen me without pants!!!! It's a good thing that however bad things are, if you look hard enough, there is a funny side. My dad has always said I'd laugh if my arsehole was on fire... seems pretty ironic now.

🔒 Login to see image

toffee apple,
Good luck for Monday, I'm sure it will be okay. So if you have healed, are you going to have another try at having a pouch made?
Yes, everyone has to try and laugh about things every now and then, or we'd all go mad.
It would be good to hear from you after your hospital visit on Monday to see how things went for you.
Gee07
🔒 Login to see image

Hi toffee apple, just to wish you the best of luck and we'll be waiting, all your family here, so be sure to let us know how everything went, Ed

🔒 Login to see image

Hi Toffee apple, I just wanted to say welcome to the site. If there's anything we can help with, just call on us here. It's always a pleasure to try and give answers to questions. Take care, ambies.

Hi Toffee Apple,

I too am new to all of this. I have a colostomy, though, performed four weeks ago yesterday. It may or may not be temporary, as it depends on how everything goes... So, I'm very new to it all and am very new to forums too. Lots to learn! Anyway, I just wanted to say hi. I live in Norfolk, so not a million miles from you. So, I hope everything is going well for you now.
Boo

You look like a very strong woman. I've had my little friend for a little over a year. It takes a while to accept and try to figure out "WHY ME". Just remember, it's a question of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter. Hang in there, gal, you'll be fine.
Take care,
Gary

Hello there, I have had an ileostomy for 13 years now. I find that sleeping is one of the more difficult things with having a bag. It's really more to do with not getting sleep deprivation because you can't get comfortable in bed or you wake up numerous times to go to the toilet during the night. I sleep with my head on a pillow and a pillow by my side for comfort. You can then roll on this extra pillow slightly because I've found as soon as you roll onto your stomach the bag will burst and you end up with a bed full of poo. No fun there! So it's really just a way to sleep better and get a good night's rest.

He...,




Your name sounds like a hockey play-by-play. Anyway, I know what you are saying. To reduce getting up during the night, you might try a high-output appliance. I know that both Convatec and Hollister make these. As for sleeping itself, I have conditioned myself to sleep on my side opposite the stoma (left for me) and position the appliance facing the same side. In this way, I usually get a comfortable, seemingly complete sleep with no leaks. (I have had leaks during the night, but these were not due to my sleeping position). It has worked for me for 33 years now. Good luck.


X_

X, how about it sounds like a name out of a Shakespeare comedy? Heshootshescores could be the protagonist in Love's Labour's Lost or perhaps the antagonist in Taming of the Shrew. Anyway, high-output appliances are the best solution measure for measure. I, too, have conditioned myself to sleep either on my back or on the side opposite the stoma. Having the ability to move to another safe position during sleep promotes restfulness and assures that any Midsummer Night's Dream won't be wet.  Readiness is all.  PB

Hi Toffee Apple
Many connections with Lincoln, being a "yellow belly" myself. I also have a pouch as well as a stoma. If I can help, or you just want to chat, get in touch.

To quote Gute,

"Aw shucks, ma'am"

"It's kinda like riding a bicycle, once you learn how you never forget"

Kidding, but hang in there; you seem to have a good attitude about it. And it

doesn't go away, but it does get better.

PB,

"Measure for Measure", eh? Love how you weave the Bard into everything with such aplomb. "Oh, what fools these mortals be." I guess we are just puckering around. Be well, BP.

X_

Ya know what, guys? Sometimes I wish I could make up a story just to be able to read the replies, so just keep up the good work. We all need a laugh as often as possible. Even Shakespeare had a sense of humor and wasn't above dropping a good pun. For those who say a pun is the lowest form of humor, they don't seem to be able to come up with one of their own, or steal one like I do. Ed
🔒 Login to see image

🔒 Login to see image

🔒 Login to see image

Every day and night is a long time. I've had mine for 18 months. Not many good nights of sleep.