Help for Mother with Ileostomy

Hi, my mother who is 72 has had an ileostomy for five years due to the nerves to her colon being cut off by her spinal stenosis caused by osteoporosis and now she has Diversion Colitis with Stricture. She has been told by one doctor that her entire colon and rectum and anus need to all be removed. But, then she went and got a second opinion from a more experienced doctor who is located two hours away from her. He said that leaving her rectum and anus in is very important because of the fact that her vagina and bladder have both been collapsed for years so now the rectum and anus are needed for structural support. She has decided not to go with the second opinion and just have it all taken out, including the anus and rectum, because she doesn't want to have to do any fatty acid flushes and all that in order to preserve her rectum and anus. I wish she would rethink this decision because I'm afraid she could end up with problems much more uncomfortable than the flushes would be. Any info or knowledge on this subject would be much appreciated, such as: are the flushes uncomfortable?, will she und up needing a vaginal mesh implant to keep her insides inside?, what are the risks and advantages to either decision?
Thanks so much,
Cheryl


Edited to add a subject title... Shaz

Post Edited By Moderator (Shaz032) : 2/20/2014 6:58:55 AM (GMT-7)

I don't know much about the specific problem either, but I do know that the angle of my vagina changed a lot after having my rectum and anus removed, so I think the structural support issue sounds like a legitimate concern(I didn't have any problem w/my vagina and bladder before, though, and I don't have any now, but at least my vagina has moved).

On the other hand, if her rectum and anus are causing problems, I can understand wanting them out. So it seems she's a complex case.

Do you know why she doesn't want to do the flushes? I don't know much about them. Does she just want to be done? Worried about pain?

Ultimately, this is her decision, but I can understand your frustration feeling that she's going into it uninformed. It does sound like she's been through an awful lot.... hope you can support her in that while trying to get more information. Sounds like you're doing your best to do well by her. Hang in, your role is hard too.

Asheville hair, wow ..sounds complex. Sorry I can't be of much help as I have no experience with fatty acid flushes. Had a gastro__ water enema before my doc would even think about reversing my ileo. It wasn't pleasant, as per usual, but might be preferable then a 72 year old having surgery.
Have you discussed your concerns with your mother?
Maybe a third opinion should be sought.
Also, kudos to you for looking after your mother. I've been fighting colon cancer for a year...not sure where I'd be without my home care nurse, Er..I mean, my hubby!

BTW, thanks for the subject title, Shaz! I missed that!

Bluegrass, I hadn't ever thought of a teaching hospital but what a great idea! Thank you so much for the thought, I will send it on to her and see what she thinks! That just might be the answer.