Hi everyone,
I posted a couple of months ago about
my colostomy surgery. I had to have it because of a rectovaginal fistula that kept flaring. (sorry for not updating earlier) but the surgery went really well. I was only in the hospital for about
4 days after, and 5 days before because I wasn't able to have a remicaid infusion. Now with that said, Ive gotten used to the colostomy really well, it doesn't bother me too much, but a month after my surgery (about
now) I'm having the same symptoms that I did without the colostomy, minus the little bit of drainage from the fistula. My surgeon and Dr. convinced me that the fistula was causing the symptoms I have such as terrible abdominal pain, cramping, diareah, vomiting, the whole bit. I wasn't expecting to develop any symptoms but lowe and behold, at the same exact increment I start to get sick. I had some blood work done in the hospital the other day and it all seems to be normal except for my inflammation which is off the charts. Before I had the surgery my small intestine was swollen and "not happy" as my surgeon said. What I don't understand is why they thought a colostomy would help this at all? The fistula wasn't the biggest problem. I can deal with a little bit of fistula drainage if I'm healthy otherwise. So I guess my question for all of you, is now that I'm back on my getting sick every 3 weeks and having to wait for a remicaide infusion to get better for another 3, would you want to keep the bag or have the ostomy closed? I can't decide if it's more inconvenient to have to empty the bag 15 times a day or go to the bathroom 15 times a day. There's already a really high chance that the diversion will do nothing for the fistula, so I'm kind of thinking what's the point of having this thing if it's most likely not even helping me? Ugh. Any input appreciated.
molly