Ostomy nurse -- where to find/ how to get? Perm ileo surgery soon.

[ugh]

My husband is scheduled for permament ileostomy surgery in a about week after suffering post-reversal for 2.5 years. His experience with his temp ileo was awful and I am very hopefully that this experience will be much better. From what I have read on the boards an ostomy nurse is key. How do we go about obtaining the services of an ostomy nurse? Any and all perm ileo advise is greatly appreciated!

Spouse to DH
Rectal cancer 3b
NED

[texazgal]

When I was given the colostomy, I was dumber than dumb about the whole thing. Some days after surgery, while still in hospital, an ostomy nurse showed up in my room with supplies, a catalogue and she showed me how to change out the system that had been applied while I was still "out". The hospital had called her in. I didn't see her prior to be marked for placement; luckily, that turned out ok. My little community hospital that did the surgery is a member of a large group of hospitals and she was out of one of the larger hospitals. You can ask your surgeon or the administration for the name and number of a nurse or one might just show up as happened with me.

[PainInTheAss]

I also had a nurse assigned at the hospital originally. But later, when I wanted to look into irrigating, I asked my surgeon about it and he referred me to an Ostomy clinic at a hospital. They were super helpful and I'm guessing the same nurses who help new Ostomates after surgery. Ask your surgeon for a referral to an Ostomy clinic. They usually give you a card so you can just talk to the same nurse each time or see different nurses. I had numerous wound care nurses visit me and some great ostomy advice from some that I didn't get from others, so I suggest you see different ones if you are having problems.

[ugh]

Thanks all - I will definitely get in touch with the surgeons office to discuss. He too had what I beleive was an ostomy nurse while in the hospital after his LAR and temp ileo but he was so sick during any dealings with the nurse and there was no after care other than a home health aide. Any advice for placement? I remember someone coming in prior to surgery to mark my husband for his temp, but again we were so in the throngs of dealing with *cancer*, we did not research /ask enough questions IMO. We were just plain naive and I am hoping to be more prepared this time. At the moment his stomach is extremely distended from severe constipation and dialated colon so I think it may be a bit of a guessing game for optimal placement.

[megan120]

I would call the hospital where he is having surgery and see if there is an ostomy nurse he can meet with before surgery. They can mark a good spot for the stoma that will work best for bag placement. I have seen some horrendous stomas that were a huge challenge to prevent leaks that may have been better if an ostomy nurse had marked them before surgery. It would also be nice to know the person who is going to be helping him after surgery before going in.

[Nik Colon]

I was set up with an apt b4 my surgery automatically by my surgeon I believe. I would think they would set it up for you, but idk. Just my experience, but I ended up not needing one, but was marked for either ileostomy or colostomy prior jic.also was sent home with samples and such.