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Living with a stoma bag.

LindaB
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I did the stick test to screen for bowel cancer that came in the post after my 60th birthday. I was called for colonoscopy on Monday and told afterwards that I will need surgery and have to have a colostomy bag for up to a year and possibly longer if the bowel doesn't heal. Anybody's worst nightmare.

Apart from a bit of blood in my poo I have no symptoms and am facing possibly life with a bag.

How does anyone cope with living with it?

I wish I had never sent the test back. I am seriously considering pretending I hadn't and just get on with life.

What can I expect to happen if I ignore it.

Parents
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    Hi Linda,

    I've got two stomas, a colostomy and a mucous fistula. From the off I've never had any problem mentally/emotionally. I've had to have the colostomy redone twice due to it closing over. I don't care about it at all, it's just a different method of going to the toilet.

    There are the practicalities to consider which can be a slight embuggerance from time to time but I don't really have any serious problems.

    The main thing about changing or emptying the bags is to remain calm and have everything in place before you start.

    And you should be prepared to laugh at the mishaps, blow outs and such. 

    I'm so at ease with the whole thing that I could happily change the bags in a roomful of people.

    Have you ever changed a baby's nappy? It's just something that needs doing so you get on with it , right? You don't have a meltdown every time you do it. Same attitude is needed with stomas.

     

    Any questions, just ask away.

     

    Best Regards

    Taff

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    Hi Linda,

    I've got two stomas, a colostomy and a mucous fistula. From the off I've never had any problem mentally/emotionally. I've had to have the colostomy redone twice due to it closing over. I don't care about it at all, it's just a different method of going to the toilet.

    There are the practicalities to consider which can be a slight embuggerance from time to time but I don't really have any serious problems.

    The main thing about changing or emptying the bags is to remain calm and have everything in place before you start.

    And you should be prepared to laugh at the mishaps, blow outs and such. 

    I'm so at ease with the whole thing that I could happily change the bags in a roomful of people.

    Have you ever changed a baby's nappy? It's just something that needs doing so you get on with it , right? You don't have a meltdown every time you do it. Same attitude is needed with stomas.

     

    Any questions, just ask away.

     

    Best Regards

    Taff

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