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Coping with bowel surgery

Caz7
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I am only now able to talk about my cancer. I did not know about it until I underwent emergency surgery just before Christmas, after being ill all summer, so I have had to learn very quickly how to cope with the stoma bags.

At least the up side is that I have lost so much weight I have had to buy a whole new wardrobe of clothes

 

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    I had uterine and ovarian  cancer, operated on in 2012. I had chemotherapy. .6 sessions  and  20 sessions  of radiotherapy  plus bracheatherapy. I'm  not  sure  which  treatment  was for which  condition  but I  go back for a check on the 11th and so far I'm  all clear. Make sure she asks about how to avoid the side effects and to do them eg I  found I  needed to take laxatives before chemo starting on a low dose days before and increasing then decreasing. It's  different  for everyone. She may just want to be left alone. All you can do from this side is make sure help is around and you are there for her when she needs it. Good luck l wish her well and my prayers  are with you nyliram

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    Im 50 yrs young and was diaganosed with bowel cancer 2and a half yrs ago. Its been hell of a journey as well u will know. Had the bag on for 3months and then got it reversed.I now have to use a water pump up my bottom to help mee poo.  Now after another scan they have found a fushion (stuck) of my back passage abd vagina inside and my toilet habits have gone crazy again. I am awaiting a appt with my surgeon to see what options there are, yet my McMillan nurse informed me that i may have to have the bag put bk. Which to me, althoigh i did get used to it in time i suffered very bad dermititus around the opening. At the beginning when my stoma bag was there i couldnt even look at it, never mind clean or change it!My nurse had to do it 4 me..until one day she told me it was part of me! It all does get easier with time....Bad days n good, just take little steps , they then can help u stride again x

  • Offline in reply to KerryS

    It's taken me 4 months to get used to my bag. At first I was scared of it, but then decided it was with me for the rest of my life (cannot be reversed - something to do with blood supply) so I just had to get on with it, it has got easier over time.

    When the chemo ends I am going  to try travelling. I already had my womb and ovaries removed about 20 years ago

    This text is driving me mad, so I'll just wish you the best of luck

     

     

     

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