Demmie
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Posts: 27
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Post by Demmie on Oct 10, 2003 3:28:39 GMT -5
Good Luck Corvus - I still cannot believe how smooth things are going - especially after the trauma of last time .
I am told my quick turn around may well be a result of a new *operational / management * system after the ward sister visited a specialist bowel unit in Norway for a week. Whatever - it sure worked for me. ( Watch out for the Picolax )
Kind regards Demmie
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Post by Jason_D on Oct 10, 2003 5:01:53 GMT -5
OOOOOOoooooooooo. Picolax. Its years since I've had some of that. Will never forget my first time drinking it. Got the packet of powder, thinking "it'll just be like a bi-carb drink, not too bad". Put the powder in the glass of cold water and the damn thing started to heat up n bubble like it was boiling!!!!! Thoughts of bi-carb soon went out the window I can tell you. ;D Good stuff though. Tastes foul, but boy does it do it's job well. Make sure you have a stock of good magazines which you havent read before in the toilet when you take it. Bye folks. Have a good weekend. Jase.
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Demmie
Posted a few msgs
Posts: 27
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Post by Demmie on Oct 10, 2003 8:49:10 GMT -5
Good point Jason - either a stack of magazines and or a drainable bag !!!!!!!!!!
Have a good weekend
Demmie
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corvus
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Post by corvus on Oct 10, 2003 21:50:20 GMT -5
got the drainable bags, should have some left over, thanks for the heads up on that.
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VegasBagBoy
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40 GWM colostomy due to CD when I was 17
Posts: 11
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Post by VegasBagBoy on Oct 30, 2003 19:06:07 GMT -5
I loved reading the above posts. My situation is different too. I had Crohns when I was 17 and was very sick. The colostomy saved my life and I have not had a day of symptoms since. I have led a very full life and never considered having it reversed. Then a year or so ago I had a hernia repair and the doctor asked if I thought about having a reversal. I said no because I didn't want the CD to come back again. I was stunned when he told me it could come back even if I had the bag! I have had all the tests performed and they all came out good for a reversal. I also had an anal stricture dialated and am waiting for full recovery. It looks like if I do it it will be after the first of the year. But I have reservations about it because I'm so used to having a bag that I am afraid of having complications and then having to get the bag back again. I am REALLY TORN on whether I want to do it or not. I does help to hear from others that have had it done and are happy. I would appreciate hearing from others with experience in this. Thanks Nathan
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Demmie
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Post by Demmie on Nov 1, 2003 5:29:18 GMT -5
Hi Vegas
Any chance your Doctor can put you in touch with a local support group where you can talke to people who have made similar decisions ( either way ) ?
I would think reversal in thses circumstances is a vey individual decision - I jumped at mine - mine was only ten months old - and I still feel for it now its gone.
Maybe a second opinion from another Doctor about your condition and your options would help you make up your mind how you feel.
Kind regards Demmie
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VegasBagBoy
Posted a few msgs
40 GWM colostomy due to CD when I was 17
Posts: 11
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Post by VegasBagBoy on Nov 1, 2003 16:46:04 GMT -5
Actually this is the 3rd opinion !! My reservations come because everytime I have something done lately, I end up needing more done because of some sort of problem. When I had the hernia repaired, he screwed up the stoma and I had to go back in for more surgery. I changed surgeons, and my new one scoped me and I ended up with a small hole in the rectum and had to have surgery to repair it and was in the hospital for 5 days! After living this long with the bag I wonder if it's not just easier to keep it, even if they DO say I'm a perfect candidate for it. I've talked to several people on Shaz's board that have been reversed but like you said, it's a very personal choice. But I do appreciate hearing everyone's experience. Nathan
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Demmie
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Post by Demmie on Nov 2, 2003 7:22:14 GMT -5
< Closes her mouth before it gathers anymore foot .
Guess its going to come down to how you feel and how much you trust your Doctor/Surgeon. I take it you have also asked what your outcome long term will be for both courses of action ?
I swore after my colostomy that I would never have another operation - I felt that bad ........... however when the time came I went for it . I did only have a short time gap involved. I got used to it and having it around - but could still remember life before it. I guess if this had been for a long time , I may well have felt very different about the whole thing.
Good luck what ever you choose to do
Demmie
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Post by judyjd on Nov 2, 2003 12:21:17 GMT -5
Well I saw my surgeon again, and since there are still several inches of diverticular disease in my colon, it really appears to me that if I have ther reversal, my diet will be sooooo restricted, that i will be living on pasta. I can eat anything that I want to right now. My life has really returned to normal. I feel better now than I have in years. I am definitely leaning toward not having it reversed. Congrats to you two that have more guts than I and have had successful reversals!!!! I also met a woman who had hers reversed and within five years had to go through it all again. No Thanks!! Better luck is wished for you guys!!
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VegasBagBoy
Posted a few msgs
40 GWM colostomy due to CD when I was 17
Posts: 11
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Post by VegasBagBoy on Nov 18, 2003 20:14:33 GMT -5
I had the final followup appt with my surgeon today. The rectum and anal passage has healed very well but both the doc & I are still concerned about the stricture. Even though he dialated it via surgery it is still very rigid and he feels this MAY cause a concern if I was reversed. As I have live with the colostomy problem free for 23 years, we just aren't willing to chance it right now. Maybe in the future.....we'll see. Nathan
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Demmie
Posted a few msgs
Posts: 27
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Post by Demmie on Nov 21, 2003 10:34:44 GMT -5
Glad to hear you are healing well Demmie
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Post by Wyldcat on Dec 29, 2003 16:12:06 GMT -5
Hi aaaaall Im new to the boards and this is my first posting. Im finding allyour information and advice so helpful. I had diveticular disease last year that ruprtured. Id had no warnings and was quite healthy if a bit overweight. I was taken into hospital and operated on straight away. I was told that I might end up with a temporary colostomy. I awwoke to find my stomach stapled and a colostomy bag etc. I adjusted easily to the idea and I was alive after all. 4 days later I was told that the operation had not worked. The piece of bowel leading to my stoma had died and they would have to do another operation again or I would die. Very scary words but again I had no choice. In between the 2 ops I got fluid on the lungss which affected my breathing very badly and I was on oxygen to help me. After the 2nd operation they also left the wound open to heal by itself from the inside out. I was in hospital for 2 months and off work altogether for 10 months. My would has now healed and Im feeling quite well, but my lungs are not as strong as they used to be and I have been avised not to have the reversal because of thiis. Also because I have aready had it resited once, if it was reversed and cam back again I have less places to do another colostomy. Im managing very well and my partner, who stuck by me through everything even though we had only moved in together 3 days before I was taken ill, haas been marvelous and very supporting. Anyway I still have time to make up my mind but will probably stick with the colostomy. Thank you for listening
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Post by Kathy_from_England on Dec 29, 2003 17:12:09 GMT -5
Hi and welcome Wyldcat, It sounds like you have a difficult decision to make but you seem to have accepted the colostomy very well.
I'm also guessing that you'll have the chance for a reversal later on, even if you keep it for now?
Good luck, and keep us informed!
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