First off...thank you all for your previous kind and very informative and supportive responses. My colostomy is now 4 months old...I count that day as my new birthday. Surgery was done emergently secondary to a perforated sigmoid secondary to a pesky diverticula that decided it needed to expand and grow! Anyway...I had many issues - primarily with leakage and then developed an incisional infection.
After much trial and error, and some engineering input from my precious mate, the leakage problems are now nonexistent for 3 months (convex wafer and matching paste rings on stoma and wafer)! My ongoing issue is the incision wounds...the incision had to be opened and drained followed by 3 times a day showers with dressing changes. Now...much of the area has healed, and yes, the scars have flattened considerably; however, I still have two areas that are draining - they are classified as chronic wounds. I now attend a wound clinic, using Fibracol plus "stuffing" and praying that this will work. The reversal will not take place until these two areas are securely healed. I'm getting on with it...taking things one day at a time. Remaining calm and positive.
So I was looking at my stoma and it looked a bit roundish...showed it to my surgeon and he said I've got a hernia which many folks get (which I knew from this site!!!), which, in essence, was surgically made when he gave me my lifesaving stoma. He will fix it up when he does the reversal. Everything is working fine and I am focused on having a return of good health...whatever it takes.
Good news is that my colonoscopy came back clean and I do not need to have another for 5 years...I don't know if that time frame will change after my reversal.
I am looking out my back window into my garden...winds are blowing and leaves are falling from some of the trees. I've now gotten through two seasons, Spring and Summer, with my new status...and whilst I may look a little different...my inside soul is returning. Like the garden, I've gone through changes...but changes do not mean the end...just a new beginning. Without you folks and some wonderful caregivers, this would not be possible. I came here at my lowest point...I didn't want to go on...but that little voice inside, the same one that told me to get up and walk after the surgery despite my wanting to stay in bed and never get out...well, that little voice told me that there were others out there like me and maybe, just maybe, they could give me some answers. I was so right and remain grateful for finding you.
Thank you all!
