I have had a colostomy for the past 13 years, due to rectal cancer. So I can
offer my ideas. As far as having TM, I am one of the walking wounded. I
cannot say that it improved my quality of life at the time, but I can say that
it SAVED my life, and therefore I don't complain about having it, in fact for
the first several years I joked about it a lot . LOL
However, in your case, I can see where it might improve your life to some
extent. If they leave all of your colon, you might be able to "partially" train
the bowel through irrigation (same as giving yourself an enema). But even
if you can't train if, because of going from constipation to the runs, it would
be contained and then you could empty and clean at your convenience rather
than the rush to get to the potty.
I do have pretty good control with mine, but not as good as before TM and
medications, but better again since I am not taking Neurontin. I irrigate mostly
on a daily basis, except for Sunday's. However, I do skip other times occasionally
if there is something special that I want to do.
Since your situation is not life threatening, you have time to think it through and
decide for yourself. And if it doesn't help your situation, or you are disgusted by
it, it should be reversible. IF YOU SHOULD DECIDE TO GO FOR IT, MAKE SURE
THAT AN "ET" NURSE MARKS YOUR SITE AHEAD OF TIME. I can't express the
importance of this enough, with you in a chair, so they get it positioned where you
will not have leaks, etc. And make sure you get a surgeon who knows what he is
doing.
If you have other questions I can help you with, just yell at me.
Good Luck in you decision. Lanora
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [TMIC] Colostostomy. Date: Mon, 2 Aug 2004 09:48:19 -0700
Hi,
I was wondering if anybody in TM land has a colostomy? My GI Dr. thinks it might help with a lot of my problems. I do have some controll, but when I have to go you better get out of WAY! I am either constapated and bloated which causes my legs to swell. Or I go to the other extreme and have the "rolls" (That's the same as the runs for you walking wounded) lol. I have had a consult with a suergeon and his notes to my GI said that it would improve my quality of life greatly. I am scared about another opertion but if it would make me feel better it might be worth it. Any information anyone could share with me I would appreciate it.
Dennis
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