Oh no! I hurt myself!

Yikes. I hurt my wrist, and now I can barely empty the bag. It hurts like heck to empty, and I guess my poor husband will have to help me change in completely on Friday when I'm due. But, he can't help me empty it all day long - he can't follow me around to work and such. Right now, I can do it myself with a lot of pain, but it is possible. But it made me think - what if one hand was completely incapacitated? I'm such a klutz, I probably will break it at some point. Besides, it's no fun right now with the pain in my wrist. Have you ever not been able to empty for one reason or another? What did you do?

LOL, sfgiantsjo,

Sometimes I have a hard time emptying/changing my appliance with both hands. I'm sure that you can/will adjust, it will just take time. You have a pretty fatalistic attitude about your future klutziness, lol, and I though I was clumsy.

If I was unable to change at work, that would be cause for a calling in sick. You certainly don't want an accident at work. People call in for all kinds of odd reasons, and I'm not one to call in at all, but there are situations that just can't be helped.

I hope your wrist heals soon, it's not broken is it? Maybe try one of those braces like Bluz suggested.

Hey girls!   I'm here to tell ya that I cannot empty with one hand.  I just got the results from the MRI on my right shoulder and I have to have arthroscopic surgery on it on Nov 16th.  I asked the orthopedic dr if I would be able to use it   (my lower arm) immediately as I NEEDED to have that arm to empty my pouch.  He told me I could, if I could tolerate it!  I guess I will be finding out on Nov 16th! 

Well, the rotator cuff is NOT torn, which is really good.  It is however really, really inflamed thanks to a bone spur and a significant amount of arthritis.  He said that we might as well just get it taken care of cause it would not quiet down on its own at this point.  And not take a chance of the bone spur tearing it while it is inflamed.   What, it's been over 6 weeks already and it's not better.  I just asked him to schedule me as soon as possible and get it over with.  Tired of the hurt.  I also asked to be placed on a cancellation list .... with a short and speedy digestive tract, I only need a couple of hours lead time to be ready for surgery!  I imagine I might get some relief from NSAID's but I can't take them.  And the steroid shot made the pain worse.  He said the recovery is really quick.  Slinged for the 1st day

 only.  I bet it's gonna hurt like heck... but a different kind of pain than I have now.  I sure hope I get 7 days wear time that week!!!!

Yeh, I probably will give him a crash course!  (hoping I won't have to ask him to help)  I'm sure he could do it, but I would bet he would be all thumbs.  Even though it is my husband, I've never asked him to help with my ostomy.  We've been married 16 years and together many years before that.  It would/will be a first.  He's really not much of a nursemaid!  He was raised in a family of 4 boys, he is the oldest.

I was caregiver for my mom, who also had terminal cancer, for 19 months out of state.  My husband was a gem and just said, "go".  He visited me and my mom as much as he could [someone had to earn the bread!].  I wouldn't have traded that time with my mom for anything and she was appreciative that it was me, instead of a stranger.  So, Judy, I understand the modesty thing. 

Thank you guys for the thoughts....  I just figure if it ain't gonna get better on its own, and the doc pretty much said that, then let's get on it and get it fixed.  If there is something out there to make it better, even tho it may be more painful initially, I'm going for it.  And as soon as possible. 

sf -

How is your wrist doing?  Has it calmed down a bit?  I sure hope so, I know what is like trying to use one hand to empy.... it ain't no fun, and it just takes too long - ya see, it's been a long time since I've spent that much time taking care of business!!!!

Peggy113
I am so sorry to hear about your surgery. Hope it all goes well. I talked to Lee aboout the chat times and she feels t would be better if Shazz did it and I am willing to go along with this, since I am going to Salt Lake Mondayfor possible sugery myself. My prolapsed stoma is so large that the surgeon here feels that it will stangulate and I will face emergency surgery. I am such a poor candidate for surgery that it is chancy at best. I will have a team of three doctors seeing me Monday and they may decide I can't live through it . Who knowsRalph

Peggy,

Have you talked to your Dr about your surgery on Friday? Are you going to be able to change your bag alone after the surgery? Can you get home-care to help you?

Peggy,

Are you going to attempt to change Friday before the surgery? At least this would give you 7 and possibly 8 days to heal before your next change?

My wrist is all better, whatever it was, the pain went away as quickly and as mysteriously as it came. Thank goodness, because I had enough to freak out over with that sore by my stoma!

sounds like you may need to pop an extra pain pill and have a stiff drink before changing things...

good luck!