Hi Virgil,

Although I have a colostomy and a mucous fistula rather than an ileostomy, I may be able to help.

Your bowel, in the normal course of events, produces mucous, which not only helps with the passage of stool but, as I understand it, contains various stuff for keeping the bowel wall healthy.

The bowel, not knowing that it's been cut and has a bit missing, continues to produce this mucous. Its consistency can be thin and liquid to solid. There may also have been some residual stool left in the bowel. The mucous often is foul-smelling, more offensive than the smell of stool, in my opinion.

It takes time for the bowel to recover after surgery and all the parts take a different amount of time to start working normally again, which may be why this has just happened.

My mucous output has reduced from needing a bag to a small dressing or cap.

Personally, I don't think you have a need to be concerned but . . .

I have a fantastic relationship with my dedicated stoma team, one of which is always available at the end of a phone, and who has direct access to my surgeon. Stma nurses in my experience, are some of the best nurses around.

You should hopefully have a number for them and I think in the first instance, they are your 'go to' people for advice.

Best Regards

Taff

Hope you get a good result from your stoma nurse. Please let us know how you get on.

Taff

Thanks for that Taff. Had a short chat with Stoma Nurse, who was extremely busy after being on holiday for two weeks and endeavouring to speak to everyone. Arranging for a sample Ileostomy pouches to be sent by return. Hopefully resolve the issue but also said the large lump is caused by the surgery and likely to be a large hernia. Fingers crossed it can be sorted out.