CancerCompass message board discussion started by Carolyn V. on 6/12/2002 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,453,0.htm Sat, 22 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT Sat, 22 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ My husband is very anxious about colostomy surgery next week. Cancer is low, near the anal opening, so no chance of not doing the colostomy. Any hints? reassurance? good outcomes? Also, we've been woefully short of life insurance (with lots of debts) before this diagnosis, and now obtaining life insurance is difficult and expensive, if at all possible. Any places to go that will still insure us? Thanks. Carolyn V. Wed, 12 Jun 2002 00:00:00 GMT I had rectal cancer surgery in November 1999 and have a permanent colostomy...there is life after a colostomy. There is a choice of irrigating daily or every other day or not at all. At first I did not. Now I irrigate every evening as I am now back to work. With irrigating, there is usually nothing coming through the colostomy at all during the day and only comes out when I irrigate. On occassion, there is something that comes through during the day but very rarely. I had a colonoscopy on one day and was told that I needed the surgery the next day...so did not have time to think about it. I did have chemo and radiation after the surgery. Will you be having chemo or do you know yet?? You need to talk to an ET nurse which is a nurse who deals with people who has ostomy's and you need to get in touch with someone who is a memeber of the UOA.....the united ostomy association...they have a web site...www.uoa.org. The ostomy nurse will mark the spot that will be a good place for the stoma to be so it will not interfere with your clothing and life style...She marked my spot the day before surgery. I went to Hawaii in May of this year and went swimming in the ocean and in the pool...it was wonderful. So hang in there and I wish you well. You may contact me with questions anytime. Joan Joan F. Mon, 17 Jun 2002 00:00:00 GMT I was told I had cancer 4 years ago, I owned a beauty shop, and when they told me I had to have my rectum removed and I would wear a bag for the rest of my life, I thought my life was over, I took chemo and radiation for 6 weeks every day, we drove 60 miles to get them, it got so I counted all the cows and fence posts going and coming home every day. The chemo made me weak and I had sores in my mouth, but the best thing I found was watermelon, just bite into cold pieces and hold them in your teeth. The radiation was really bad for me but some people it never bothered. The doctor and the people at the cancer hospital were like a big family. The best thing is to have a good outlook about it. I haven't irrigated, as I don't know how. But I am doing fine. I have sold the beauty shop and my husband and I have done some traveling. And gone on a couple of cruise's and had a ball, so you see your life can be full and lovely. I am going to have my 4-year check next Thursday. Am I'm sure it will be fine. I hope this story will help some one. As you know god is with us all the time and he watches over us. I am 68 and been married for 49 years. Love, Pat Patty4cope Sun, 12 Jun 2005 00:00:00 GMT