Hello,

I am new to the site today.

I hope everyone is doing as well as is possible today!!

I currently have a stoma after having bowel cancer which was unsuccessfully removed im lucky to say late June.

Been slowly getting use to the stoma since then. It started quite erratically although its slightly more consistent and touch would a little less fierce although i still tend to have tp empty it twice a night.

Im waiting on a ct scan and then hopefully moving forward to the reveral mid Oct. 

I know its been spoken about on the site a lot but im looking for some help in what to expect. I realise it can be a very difficult period that lies in wait.

Is it set in stone?

I guess everyones bowel is different and it can depend on treatment. My radiotherapy may possibly affect it and because it was in such a " low position "

Ive looked at things i will need. Underwear to help, creams and such things. Like getting the news of cancer i suppose nothing can prepare ones self for things such as this.

I know it is also perhaps unrealistic to ask but im hoping to gauge time frames for perhaps having no control of bowel movements and what might be a realisitc time frame to get control and manage potential BM issues. Im self employed and have been off work since March and cant not work indefinitely. I have an 18 month old child to provide for not that my surgeon seems bothered and seemed to question why i was jumping for joy when i saw him on Monday. I am of course extremely grateful but i have a life and also my father was just diagnosed as terminally ill a couple of weeks back. My surgeon dismissed these things rather unfairly i thought. 

I also have a family trip with my wife and son abroad booked for late July next year. Is it unrealistic that i will manage that?

Id be grateful to anyone that would be kind enough to share experiences,  advice, info or any info on all of the above.

Many thanks for taking the time reading this. Much obliged