Colonoscopy Needed

It looks as if the inevitable is going to happen.  Last January '07, I was diagnosed with colorectal cancer and went through all the chemo/rad treatments before surgery and then more chemo after.  A small portion of my small intestine was removed as well as a large portion of the rectum.

I have no way to control my diarrhea and have tried pretty much everything.  To ease the burning I take vicoden and to help control the bowel movements, opium tincture.  But the sudden attacks of loose bowels continues and I have been pretty much restricted to home and close to the bathroom.

I would like to hear from anyone that has had a colonoscopy.  The good and the bad, I suppose.  I will be seeing my surgeon in a few weeks where he will go over any other options I might have but we are both convinced that the "stoma" is the only way to go.

I have finally gotten my weight under control and for the first time look good in my clothes and now this!  I wonder how large the bag is, how often it needs to be emptied, any odor, pain accompanied with it and general information.  As you can see I am quite novice and no doubt will be looking at various websites for answers.  But I have found through Cancer Compass my other questions have been answered quite well by the people that have experienced many of my symptoms.

Thanks for any help and info you can give.

J'nette

J'nette

my husband had a colostomy after emergency colon surgery. 

basically it wasn't to bad to deal with.  the biggest problem we had was that jim could not change the bag by himself.  so every three/four days i would change the bag for him

my advise is to find a really good stoma nurse either at your hospital or at your local medical supply store.  they can really be helpful.  we had a hard time finding the right bag and tried many before we found the right "fit"  the nurses at the hospital were helpful but i found the nurses at the medical supply store more helpful.  also remember as your body changes so might your needs change.

we did find that Pink Tape was very helpful.  used lots of that stuff. 

don't let it scare you- there are lots of people that have colostomies and lead a very normal life.  my cousin has had one for 30 yrs.

good luck and i hope all goes well for you

debbie

after talking to people who reconnected I was glad I went for the bag. I had a massive tumor less than two cm from my anus. The surgeon said to do chemo and radiation to try and save it. I thought the treatment to be more harmful than the small chance I might be able to crap my pants with a burning anus for life. I told the surgeon to cut all out. So far (5 weeks) I am very comfortable with bag. My advice would be to stick a bag on where you think you want it and see if you can see well enough to change it. I wish my surgeon had offered this to me. Mine is a little low for me to see. Two piece systems are nice when you don't feel like emptying in public. Just put closed bag in a ziplock and toss in trash. Stoma nurses are ok but unless they have a bag themselves can't see how they offer some of the opinions they do. Here's the big warning I had my anus cut out and am now using a wound vac to heal could be at least six more weeks before I can sit. Not sitting sucks.

I sent you a private rely.