I found you!

Welcom Liza!! We're so glad you found us too! This forum is a great wealth of information and the people on this site are awesome! I had my surgery in September of 08 and had a temperary ileo for three months. I had it reversed in December of 08 so I know what you are going through. I'm assuming you are having it reversed since you made mention of three months, or did I misunderstand? Either way we are so thrilled to have you! Fill us in on more details of your surgery and current condition. If you have any questions let us know, we're here to help. There are many of us who have been through or are still going through what you are going through.

The output depends on the input and for me a lot of it depended on how much I drank too. The more fluids I had the runnier it was and the less I had the thicker it was which helped to slow it down some. Also, some foods digest faster than others.

As for the pants, I lost a ton of weight due to complications, etc so I had the opposite problem. Even with the bag full I couldn't keep my pants up. But, it was a good thing because before surgery I had CI and had gained 20lbs. It was a good thing for me to lose. Maybe some others on here could give you some advice with the pants.

It was a hard adjustment for me. Are you handling it ok? You sound pretty positive and that's great! I wish I had your optimism!!

I only had a temporary colostomy for 8 weeks but it was rather a shock at first. I remember just staring at my stoma, because I had the clear bags in the hospital. I had a real crying jag one day, I could not stop crying. My ET nurse was wonderful, she let me cry and patted my hand afterwards. She encouraged me to talk about my feelings and what I was going thru. I have never forgotten that kind gesture (just allowing me to be sad about it!).

She did tell me that women often have easier adjustments to ostomies than men do. I never really asked her why because well I kept crying that one day. LOL

Then later I thought long and hard about it all and thought, okay Mary you can do this, you've changed hundreds of diapers on your two girls (not to mention the kids I baby-sat for back in the 1970s, when kids wore cloth diapers you rinsed in the toilet!) and you've had at times really heavy periods (wearing both super sized tampon and maxi pad). So I basically had a silent pep talk with myself and vowed to handle it all. Thinking this is just one more messy job to take care of.

I did, for the most part. Had a few flubs along the way though - once I went thru the whole weekly change routine, washed up, had a light breakfast and coffee, hopped in the shower and knocked the whole thing off. Had to do a change with stool coming out. That was not fun! I had minor mishaps with not clipping the bag and stool went everywhere. I learned to keep cleaning supplies under every bathroom sink in this house. So I didn't have to run to the laundry room for bathroom cleaner, etc. I also made sure I had laundry detergent on hand too (along with liquid Lysol and/or bleach). It was just nice to know no one had to run to the store for something for me. I just cleaned up each time.

Just vent here, you'll find lots of caring folks to listen. I hope you continue to do better Liza.

Give yourself time! You've just had everything done. For a long time, I thought I'd NEVER get to wear jeans again. I was upset about that. But eventually, after your abdomen heals, you can learn to shove things in. I wore stretch and sweat pants for, like, 3-4 months after surgery. Now, I'm back to my old clothes again.

My output was really fast at first. It went in and it came out. Sometimes I'd think-no way has that much stuff gone in.. Where'd it come from?!
But mine has slowed considerably. Corn chips helped me at first to slow things down.

We've all had good days and bad days. I've had days when I think, man this just sux. But I've also had days when I think how lucky I am to have this option to get my health under control. You gotta balance things and not dwell.

It will get better, but lukily you won't have to endure it much longer.

Welcome, Liza! I'm glad you found us, too. You have a great attitude and are doing really well for only being one month post-op.

It's a big surgery, and it takes a little while to get your energy back. Showering after surgery always tires me out, too, so I put a chair in there to sit on. It really helps. I also set up a vanity area in my bathroom, where I can sit and blow dry my hair. Even after all that sitting, I still have to lie down and rest.

I'll never forget the first time I emptied in a public restroom. The output was really watery and the bag was full. I undid the end, but the tail was not in the toilet yet, so it went all over my jeans and the floor! Luckily, I was a private bathroom, so I had time to clean it up without anyone around.

Welcome again. You're in good company here!

 

Windows63,
What kind of surgery - for what? What exactly are you scared of? WHat can we do to help you?

P.S. I totally know what you mean about being the youngest person in the colorectal office. I'm 25!

Ditto on being the youngest person in the colorectal office. I figure I'm getting all of my health problems out of the way while I'm young, so I can enjoy my golden years!