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Posted 2/29/2012 7:25 AM (GMT 0)
Hello,
My sister just had emergency surgery for a perforated colon early this morning. Now she has some sort of bag to wear for a month until the colon heals and surgery can be performed agin. I just wondered if there were any encouraging ideas, tips or suggestions that could be passed along to help her through this process. I know this will be extremely difficult for her, as she is 23.
Thank you so much!
Posted 2/29/2012 8:25 AM (GMT 0)
Tons of help on this site. Does she have an ileostomy or colostomy? Rosemary
Posted 2/29/2012 3:49 PM (GMT 0)
Tell her to hang in there. There is so much information here, it will help her in every aspect. Emergency surgery isn't easy, both physically and mentally. Ask tons of questions to the ostomy nurse and get follow-ups when she gets discharged. This must be overwhelming for her...wish her a speedy recovery and if you have any specific questions as time goes on, feel free to post them.
Posted 2/29/2012 7:52 PM (GMT 0)
I am 22 and recently had the surgery to remove my colon. I am soon to be reversed but in the mean time I am still finding new ways to cope with it. I learned that you have to have full faith in God. Patience is the key factor in getting used to it. I made so many messes the 1st couple days out of the hospital I thought I would never be able to do it on my own, but after the 1st week or so I was able to deal with everything with no help whatsoever! My email is listed in my profile feel free to email me with any questions
Posted 2/29/2012 9:31 PM (GMT 0)
I'm 21 and started my "surgery journey" in October... one thing I learned very quickly was that it's very important to take everything one day at a time. I was worried my first week home about what it would be like going back to work with a bag and would I ever be able to wear normal clothes and all of these things, but I just needed to stop, and get through each day as it came. All of the things I was worried about worked out just fine- I had no problem when I went back to work (I stayed home 6 weeks after surgery) and I was even able to wear skinny jeans eventually. The ostomy seems very, very scary at first, but as time goes on it becomes like a familiar little friend (it did for me anyway.) I always tell myself- the worst that can happen when dealing with changing the appliance, or having a possible leak, is that I get poop all over my tummy. So what? Later on it will be something to laugh about. :) If you keep a good attitude and sense of humor, a lot of ostomy things can become very amusing. :)
Posted 2/29/2012 9:41 PM (GMT 0)
Be sure your sister gets some good info and assistance from an Ostomy nurse. Even if it is only going to be for a month she certainly needs to know how to properly care for it, how to change it, how to empty it and hopefully have an easy time of it. She doesn't want to develop any skin issues that can be very uncomfortable. It's easy to just think of it as a temporary thing...which it is...but she does need good instruction so it won't be too difficult for her.

If she has her colon still which it sounds like may be the case I am not sure if she has to worry about drinking a lot of water...but she will need to be careful about the foods she eats for the month and chew chew chew so she doesn't have any kind of blockage problem is my guess. Like any surgery PROTEIN is very important as that helps the healing process.

Just a minor inconvenience for a month for her but there is definite things she will need to do to make it uneventful. Good Luck to her and it is nice that you are here trying to get some info for her as a caring sister.
Posted 2/29/2012 10:17 PM (GMT 0)
A good WOCN a good support group even though it will be for a short time and most of all prayer...DEBBI
Posted 3/1/2012 12:05 AM (GMT 0)
It's very hard when things are an emergency, such a shock. If she can come to see the bag as something that helped save her life, rather than as something awful she has to endure, then it will help a lot. The practicalities are all manageable, as Ju said, one day at a time. She may want to consider some counseling at some point; it's a pretty big trauma.

Also, send her here if she's willing -- it's so amazing to know that you're not the only one ..... there are people here who are her age, and people who have had surgery in similar circumstances.

Great of you to reach out this way.
Posted 3/3/2012 2:18 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you for all the replies so quickly. They met with the nurse today to find out all the details, and it sounds like she will have lots of help. To answer one question: it's a ileostomy. We are looking forward to having her home in a few more days.
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