My name is Laura, I am 27 from the UK and waiting to have my stoma surgery on June 16th of this year! I am super excited about it as I have been poorly for a very long time now and just want it over! Thirteen years is too long to be in pain and having tummy problems (I think!)
I know after the surgery I may not feel as positive, but I am determined to go in there thinking positively! I want to have my stoma and be proud of what I have overcome if that makes sense?
I am a mummy to two wonderful babies (4 and 2) and they get affected daily by how poorly I can be. I don't want it to be that way anymore, and I will do anything to make life better for them by me getting better.
I was diagnosed with solitary rectal ulcer syndrome in January 2013. I had ventral mesh rectoplasty in June 2013, which sadly didn't work, which now means I will be getting a colostomy in June 2014
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I have decided to call her Elizabeth Anne as I am a Tudor obsessive, and they are just the perfect queens to me.
I look forward to getting to know people and having support through what I am sure will be a very tough time!xxxxxx
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Welcome to the site, you will do well as is evident by your positive attitude in this post; attitude is everything.
Don't be afraid to ask questions. The early days post-op can be a little hard, but you will soon learn the few basics to control your situation and your life will improve from there forward.
I would ask your doctor if you might qualify for irrigation {is the remaining colon healthy?}
If so, that will further simplify your post-op lifestyle. Good luck.
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Welcome -- so happy for you -- you will have your moments -- but it is all worth the effort.
My grandkids are my sunshine!
Mine is an ileostomy -- Good luck and prayers for success!
The good news is that you can avoid them with some small changes in your diet.
Just watch out for some of the "hedgehogs" on this site. (Check Forum Home page - Just for Laughs - SURVIVAL LESSON) which explains about "hedgehogs".
Some of the key "hedgehogs" are Primeboy, Gutenberg, MMSH, but not me; I'm just innocent.
Great attitude makes for a great ostomate.
Cheers,
Ed
Hi Laura, good for you is all I can say. Your positive attitude will serve you well through recovery and be reinforced with the life you get after surgery. I suffered for 15 years with horrible, never-in-remission Crohn's disease. My specialist recommended a permanent ileostomy when I was 21. I had a bad attitude and resisted; he told me at every appointment that I would wake up one day with him over me, having saved my life, and it would be done. I was 36 when my bowel perforated, and I almost died, and that's exactly what happened. I am now 4 years post-op and having the life I was meant to have in my 20s. Wish I had your attitude and listened to him at your age. It takes some getting used to, but trust me, it is so worth it. (And I promise you, no one will ever know if you don't tell them.) Good luck
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Staying Hydrated with an Ostomy with LeeAnne Hayden | Hollister
