Ileostomy tomorrow

Supernova, I had my iliostomy at 26, (36 now)and remember seeing that knew part of my body,, yes..but afterbeing in diapers for so long I was greatful, I had lost all spxinter control, is that why they are doing yours? If so it is a relief, nothing changed have a long time relationship, he does not mind, no one can ever tell I have one..all in all it has givin me my life back. I can actually leave the house now where I could not before.  Good luck! And keep your chin up, not as bad as you think it is.

Crohns desease

Interstistial cystitis

chronic Pain

Depression

several surgeries to repair fistulas after childbirth

Pelvic adhesions

Surgery last week, hystrectomy

 

Post Edited (ljb) : 2/28/2011 9:18:48 AM (GMT-7)

I will be thinking of you as you head to surgery tomorrow. I was worried the day before too! And I hated the prep... though it was not nearly as bad as preps I had done before when I was already in pain and in a flare. I loved knowing that it would be my last one ever!

As the time of surgery got closer and closer, a peaceful feeling came over me. I knew I had put a lot of research into my decision, loved the surgeon I had been referred to, and knew that the alternatives to surgery-- being sick with UC or living with the painful side effects of the drugs-- were not acceptable to me. Still, the drive to the hospital was strange... I was actually a little excited that I had finally reached this moment after all the anxiety of making the decision and the hard times of being sick. However, my stomach was also full of butterflies. I knew there was so much new territory ahead! Each minute on the clock that passed, each mile we drove, each step up to the hospital door got me closer and closer to the unknown. But once I got into pre-op, I began to feel a lot more confident again. The hospital staff was so wonderful. The pre-op nurses got me all ready... did the necessary blood tests, set up the IV etc. The anesthesiologist came and talked to me and she was incredibly caring and nice (she even visited me in my room two days after the operation!). Another surgeon came in (who would be assisting my surgeon with the procedure) and discussed the operation with me. He was great too. Finally, my main surgeon came and sad at my bedside and answered all my last minute questions. He was amazingly compassionate, and I silently thanked my GI in my head for referring me to him. He really settled my nerves and as we were chatting, this beautiful feeling of peace came over me. I knew that I trusted these folks. They were there to help me through this and I had the ultimate confidence in them. With that, I finally relaxed and completely surrendered to the experience. I gave my husband one last hug and kiss and knowing that he would be out in the waiting room the whole time comforted me. The anesthesiologist gave me some meds to relax me even more, and then I was wheeled down the hall to the operating room. That is the last thing I remember before waking up again in post-op after the surgery. There I was pretty groggy. I believe the staff came and talked to me, but I actually can't remember much. Once I woke up and became more alert, I finally was taken up to my room. My husband met me there and told me how my operation went as he could actually remember talking to the surgeon afterwards:) My surgeon also came in a few hours later to talk. Everything went smoothly with my surgery except that they couldn't get the epidural that they had hoped to use to take, and had abandoned the attempt in favor of other pain control options.

When I first saw my stoma, it was kinda surreal but I definitely did not have an aversion too it. I actually approached it pretty logically. I had thought about the surgery a lot, knew that it was coming and was actually relieved that it looked like a nice, healthy stoma (from what I could tell through the clear pouch:). In some ways, I had trouble even focusing on it as it was sort of mixed in with all these other crazy things on my belly... bandages and staples down my stomach, tubes coming out of my abdomen and a catheter. The stoma also wasn't doing much at first. After a day or so, I looked at it more and more and became quite curious about the new addition to my body. It wiggled and made noises and started to create output perfectly which allowed me to eat. At first the nurses were emptying my pouch, but after a few times I began to do it myself and found that, with a little practice, it was easy. Finally, the ET nurse came to teach me how to change the pouch. We took it off and I finally got to see my stoma up close. It was fairly large from the swelling, but looked great. The next three nights, the nurse came up and I practiced doing my pouch on my own. And then it was time to go home.

I get more and more used to my stoma every day. Sometimes I still think "Wow! My intestine is sticking out of my belly!" But I think it is pretty cool and am amazed at how it has given me my life back.

Good luck with your surgery. You will do great and I look forward to hearing how it goes!

Ooohhh...don't forget you will be disease free tomorrow!!!

wishing you well on your surgery tomarow and to a speedy recoverie.
living with a stoma is not all bad.some times it's quite convevant.don't have to run to the bathroom. once you get a system in place,all will be good and you will have your life back.
will be thinking of you tomarow

Thank you everyone for such great support and prayers. Reading your posts has brought tears to my eyes, in being reassured once again that I am not alone. On a personal level you are strangers to me, but emotionally I have found new friends in all of you. May God bless you all for generously telling your stories and bringing comfort to others going through a tramatic time in their lives. As I enter into surgery tomorrow I will take with me the comforting words that have been given to me. 

best of luck to you tomorrow!! i liked my stoma the minute i saw it. it does take time to get used to and all, but i knew that that's the only way to gain my life back and so happy i had the surgery. when you see how good you feel and how better life is when you're disease free, you'll be able to appreciate it and it's advantages! keeping you in my prayers!!

Best of luck tomorrow. J & I will be praying for you.

Best of luck. 9 weeks ago for hubby and he is enjoying life and has adjusted very well. Once you get over the initial surgical discomfort and the various tubes come out you will fully realize and embrace your newfound "pain-free" "urgency-free"situation.

Of course there is a learning curve on which manufacturer's products you prefer. We are still experimenting somewhat but I am sure it won't take too long to find the best product for him. He likes what he is using currently but we will try others too.

Big (((hugs))) for tomorrow...you'll be drugged up when you see it for the first time, so it will take some of the edge off!

Look when you are ready. The nurses should take care of emptying/changing in the beginning but when you feel comfortable they won't mind if you are 'self care'

Don't forget to WALK and when you cannot walk anymore...walk some more! It gets the body moving and helps with recovery

And...like everyone has said: this is your LAST prep

Best of luck to you tomorrow. Hope you have a very speedy recovery.

Good Luck today!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hope it all went well!! Cheers to a new healthy you!