I'm a newbie here. I think it is great that there is a place for us with simular condtions to share, care, laugh, and be there for each other.
My Story: I was not able to eat hardly anything for nearly a month. Three almonds and part of a baby carrot were a feast for me. I was getting weak, lost color, was in constant intense pain and lost 30 LBS (not that I couldn't afford to shed a few!). My stomach, though, was growing larger and larger. I went to the ER due to the pain. I was told I probably had a virus. A few weeks later, I hadn't gotten any better and went to my Dr. who told me that I was getting better, but it would take a couple of months, and that it was just a virus. A week or two passed and nothing improved. People pleaded with me to see the Dr., but I told them I already went twice and they told me it was a virus. My Daughter in Law begged me to go to the ER. I went. The ER Dr. did something simply amazing. He actually did some tests. Gee, what a concept! He did an ultra sound, which found a blockage in my colon. He sent me for a CAT Scan. An emergency surgery was done as my colon was about to rupture. I had a colostomy. The pathology report ahowed I had Ademo Carcinoma and I am doing chemo now. The first several days with a bag were hard, and this grown man cried more than once when I had spillage, due to the pouch filling with liquid very quickly. I learned Imodium works great! After about a month I had grown accustomed to my pouch, reality and a new way of life. My wife of 34 years seems supportive, and says it does not matter, but it seems the intimacy is no where the same as it was before.