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How to prepare for my colon and rectum being removed?

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Posted 6/11/2010 1:37 AM (GMT 0)
My colon and rectum will be removed in two weeks and I don't really know how to prepare. Do they teach you in the hospital on what supplies to buy and how to take care of yourself? If anyone has any advice please let me know.

Thanks Sabrina
Posted 6/11/2010 2:02 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, you will get an ET nurse assigned to you. He or she will teach you how to care for your stoma. You will be sent home with one-size fits all ostomy supplies and then will receive home visits from an ET nurse who will continue to help you with your ostomy. After swelling has subsided they will inform you what the best ostomy supplies are for your stoma. Nothing to worry about ahead of time.

Sue
Posted 6/11/2010 2:06 AM (GMT 0)
they will teach you in the hosptial.
to prepare, make sure you have someone to help you out around the house for the first few days.
Get you a list of stuff to take with you, things like, your ipod, cellphone and charger, robe or something to wear, i chose to buy really big clothes, like i bought night gowns in 2 and 3x, i wear a medium, cause i didnt want them to touch me. You may want to take some pads, becuase you will probably start your period and those hosptial pads are awful, lol.
Socks, or slippers cause they will make you walk, and here is a MUST GAS-X i cannot stress enough how important that will be, lol.

A few things to know, at first your output will be bright green and smell like something dead left in the sun, lol. Dont worry, it will NOT stay like that once you start eating! Your ET nurse will help you pick out stuff and send you home with a few things, you can order right away and they deliver very quickly. If you want you can go ahed and ask for samples from some companies now. The ET nurse will tell you how to change it and all that stuff, and of course if you have problems you can always come here!

if you havent gone for your marking yet, be sure you wear your regular clothes, things you wear all the time, so that you will get a good marking. Be sure to bend and sit and lay down.

Good luck! and yay you will be healthy soon!
Posted 6/11/2010 2:10 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Sabrina, Just wanted to wish you all the best for your surgery. I had both ileostomy and rectum removed about a year ago and once I got past the post op pain (which I didn't find to the that bad) I was great as far as no more disease pain. Its a wonderful feeling. Your stoma nurse will help you through all the products and taking care of your stoma. If you have any questions we are all only too happy to help. Take care
Doreen
Posted 6/11/2010 3:42 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone for the advice. I am so lucky to have all your help. I am nervous yet very happy to be pain free. I will try to sign up for free samples, I had no idea I could do this. Are supplies expensive or are they covered through insurance?
Posted 6/11/2010 4:07 AM (GMT 0)
depends on your insurance, and what kind you use, its kind of hard to say how much they will cost you
Posted 6/11/2010 6:16 AM (GMT 0)
Good luck sno92c. This is the best place in the world to get advice and learn. Keep us updated on how things are progrressing. I know I got more nervous as it got closer and then bam you're on the other side and into trying to recover. they time flies when you're having fun.
Posted 6/11/2010 10:54 AM (GMT 0)
Sabrina,
Do you have someone to help you when you get home from the hospital? You will be tired, weak, and sore after surgery, so if someone could prepare meals for you, that would be helpful. You'll also want to put a plastic chair in your shower, because you won't have the energy to stand for a 10-15 minutes. It helps to be able to sit and shower. Your energy will return as you heal. It just takes a couple of weeks.

Supplies are covered by insurance. You'll want to call your insurance company before you place your first order to ask them which company they want you to use, because they work out deals with certain companies.

Wishing you all the best with your surgery! Please keep us posted on how you're doing. We're here to help you every step of the way. :-)

Hugs and prayers,
Cecilia
Posted 6/11/2010 11:03 AM (GMT 0)
ask your surgeon if they have a volunteer or past patient, who has been through a proctocolectomy, and is open to talking with patients who are having the surgery. It is a great way to see what the outcome will be:) Unfortunately, you cannot 'see' us to know that we live happy pain free lives!!!

You've gotten some great advice and the only thing I'll add is that IF your insurance doesn't cover ostomy supplies you can get assistance (if you qualify) from some organizaions, or use a supplier who doesn't deal with insurance companies and has REALLY low prices:)

If you go to www.UOAA.org you can find all sorts of links to ostomy information....Good Luck!
Posted 6/14/2010 3:24 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you everyone for all the wonderful advice! Don't know what I would do without you all. :-)
Posted 6/14/2010 10:11 AM (GMT 0)
Good luck with your surgery , you will soon reap the benefit of good health again smilewinkgrin
Posted 6/14/2010 11:22 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Sabrina,
I recently had this surgery done and I can tell you how glad I am to have done it! I hope you'll be having it laproscopically--that makes recovery a LOT easier. I did, and my rectum was the worst part, recovery-wise. It was probably two weeks before I could sit comfortably without favoring one butt cheek...but it really wasn't AWFUL. Just uncomfy.

I know you are nervous but please know that it'll be ok! Your ostomy nurse will tell you everything you need to know and give you supplies when you are in the hospital. She will set you up with a place to get more supplies as well. It might be a good idea to visit the websites of some suppliers (Hollister, Convatec, Coloplast) to just get an idea of what to expect, but don't worry too much about educating yourself.

As for what to bring to the hospital--I was there about 4 nights and 5 days. I brought my cell phone, charger, chapstick, makeup (if you feel up to wearing it, it's nice to feel a little normal), a brush, toothbrush, and toothpaste. Maybe an ipod or book if you like. I also would suggest comfy bras/undies (that you don't care about! and pads, because your rectum might have a bit of drainage--no biggie) and loose clothing to go home in.

Good luck with your surgery and keep us posted! :)
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