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Posted 4/27/2011 9:11 PM (GMT 0)
hi i am new here and hoping to find people who understand and who are willing to post their opinions.
almost 1.5years ago i was diagnosed with colon cancer. after radiation and chemotherapy i underwent an ultra low anterior resection and loop ileostomy.
after further chemo the loop ileostomy was reversed 6 months later.
9 months later, having had untold bm issues ever since, and tried what i believe is everything i possibly can, and after constant bouts of depression and thinking i've turned the corner but only finding myself as lost as i ever was,
i am now considering going back to an ileostomy.
at least then i hope i will no longer be constantly stressed about toilet issues, can go out of the house with some degree of confidence and be free of having to wear a sanitary pad 24/7. my diet since the reversal has been most restrictive and i no longer eat any of the foods i love, especially the spicy ones because even a wee hint of spice leads to hours of torture and a burning and sore rear end. pardon if i have been too graphic.
can anyone help me with their experiences? thanks.
Posted 4/27/2011 9:44 PM (GMT 0)
     I am so sorry to hear you are suffering so with these health issues.  Life can really throw some real tough circumstances and, I suppose, the only thing to do is just try to get through them the best way possible.

     I didn't have cancer, I suffered with ulcerative proctitis, but I do have a permanent ileostomy.  Because of my age, 63 at time of surgery, extensive use of prednisone over the years (prednisone dependent for two years) and other health issues...high blood pressure, Type 2 Diabetes from the prednisone, my surgeon told me I was not a good candidate for j-pouch.

     Kate, I am sorry I didn't have the surgery sooner.  I had a wonderful surgeon and having a "bag" is no problem at all.  I eat anything I like as long as I chew thoroughly.  My surgeon told me I made the right decision as my rectum was badly diseased.

     I'll keep you in my prayers.  God bless.

Posted 4/27/2011 10:06 PM (GMT 0)
hi kate48, i have a permanent end ileo since may 2010, i had UC since 1990 & in 2010 was on the cusp of colon cancer when happily (!!) my doc convinced me to opt for surgery - even though i had no real choice but to go with the op & i was dreading life afterwards - i am happy now to say that it was definately the best decision i've made in years - i have my life back again - for example i walked 2 hours in a local park with no problem this afternoon, i payed badminton for 2 hours this evenin no problem - i hiked 5 hours over a 3000 foot mountain friday last no prob - in fact i well remenber doing that same hike a few years ago with UC & at that time it was hell

you might already have read the post/thread named "J-pouch vs. Ileostomy life questions" on page 2 of this forum - many members with perm ileo have described their experiences there

i wish you the very best cheers
Posted 4/27/2011 11:03 PM (GMT 0)
thank you, Christine 1946 and villager for your kind and encouraging posts.

i have received virtually nil encouragement that i should even consider going back to what will now be a permanent ileostomy. but i reckon that with the location of the cancer being so low down the colon, the subsequent radiation, chemo and surgery must have been too traumatic for a decent recovery of that area.

thank you once again for your kind thoughts and i will post again after, hopefully, having had the surgery for a ileostomy to try get back my life!

cheers and God bless.

Posted 4/28/2011 2:09 AM (GMT 0)
Kate, I too, battled colon cancer for two years. It took them 4 surgeries to get it all. Mine started in my rectum, then they found it in my sigmoid, then my lymph nodes. As of now I am clean. I now have 2 inches of my transverse colon with a colostomy. I sometimes wish they had done the ileostomy but Im doing really well with this one. It was the best decision I have made.
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