Posted 10/9/2010 5:21 PM (GMT 0)
Happy Saturday everyone! I have a question about my upcoming rectal stump removal this Thursday, I hope you guys can ease my mind a bit. :) I'm a 27 year old female who's had an ileostomy since 2008 and only started to have some issues about a month ago with mysterious intra-abdominal abscesses which just in the past two weeks they linked to a fistula growing off of my rectal stump (gross, I know)!
My main concerns are these: I asked him about the vaginal wall and loss of support from the removal and he said there would be no issues, is this true? I have read a few things online about women having vaginal wall issues after having their rectum removed. Is this always the case? I'm young and really don't want to have problems in the future.
I also wanted to know long they don't allow you to eat solid foods? He told me I would be in the hospital for 4-5 days which isn't bad at all, I'm just wondering if I'll be on a clear diet the entire time? I was severely underweight about a month ago so I've been trying to gain weight before the surgery to have a bit of a buffer just in case I lose weight in the hospital during recovery.
One more thing. Do you think I'll be able to pull off trick or treating with my 2 year old? My husband will do all the heavy lifting, I just want to be able to walk and snap a few pictures. I'm really worried because I don't want to miss it.
Thanks!!
:)