Hello, I am over 4 years post ileostomy take-down. I had rectal cancer which was removed and as far as anybody can tell I'm cancer free :D . I still haven't settled into a bowel routine that resembles my pre-cancer state. My questions are these: 1. it takes me over an hour daily to move my bowels. T...

Hi Anji, I too have a hernia that probably has come through the scar of my ileostomy. I had my ilestomy take down in May 2009. I've seen a general surgeon, my colorectal surgeon and GP and none of us are in a hurry to get it repaired. By the way, this is my second hernia. I had one repaired in 2003 ...

Hi Again, thanks to those who posted advice on constipation solutions. I think I'll have to cut the cheese...sorry...couldn't resist! I've been eating cottage cheese for lunch and perhaps that's the culprit. Also, I'll try prune juice which is not so bad to the tastebuds. There is so much trial and ...

Hi Friends, I had my ileostomy takedown in May 2009. I have done very will and have not had the bowel frequency that is common in our situation. But recently it seems that my recovery has gone in the other direction. I am plagued with constipation. This was common for me before the rectal cancer (my...

The itching could be caused by a fungus. Get it checked out. Judy

Hey Bayqueen, My wocn did a great job marking me for my ileo. She made me stand and sit to see how things would lie. It turned out to be a very good placement. Keep in mind that the wafer is wide and you don't want it on your hair. Call the ostomy manufacturers for product samples. They will ask bas...

Hi Cancersux, My rectal cancer was so low that I went through surgery first then rad/chemo afterward. The surgery time doubled from 3 to 6 hours because my surgeon discovered that while cutting out the rectum he only had 1mm of clear tissue next to the anus to resect to the colon to the anus. He rec...

HI, From 4-2008 through 5-2009 I went through the surgery w/temp. ileostomy, radiation, chemo and ileo. reversal routine for rectal cancer. The radiation did a number on my female anatomy too. Intercourse became impossible. I went to a physical therapist who specializes in women's issues. That was f...

Hi Cured, thanks for your input about surgery first vs treatment first. I would really like to see the link you mentioned if you have the time to look it up. It's really a mute point for me but I would like to understand it better. I had my ileostomy take down surgery Wed. May 13. It's going to be i...

Hi Karma, At age 50 I did the surgery, radiation, chemo in that order. I had my rectum removed and was given a temporary ileostomy. My rectal cancer was staged IIIA with one lymph node involved. The cancer was EXTREMELY close to the anus. Surgery seems to be the best way to get rid of the cancer for...