The Colon Club

I had takedown after LAR for rectal Ca. I know have difficulty passing stool. It moves but small amounts and thin. I am on Miralax and Citrucel. My gastro said to use Senna. I am afraid that it will wear off. Anyone else? I am ready for a return to a bag for quality of life. I think it's adhesions or prolapse. I am 8 months out from ileostomy takedown. Thanks

I have a permanent ileostomy due to an extensive intestinal perforation owing to long-term use of corticosteroids. My intestine basically unzipped like a long zipper.

I find living with a permanent ostomy No Big Deal. It is just a non-issue. My ostomy wafer+pouch is comfortable, discrete, and low profile. No one would be aware of the placement of my ostomy in my day-to-day life. It takes only a few minutes to empty the pouch, easy-peezy. My stoma is about the size of a quarter and is actually quite cute. There is no "yuck" and no "eewww" factor to my stoma.

I came to become Best Friends with NWGirl (Belle), a former Colon Club member and member of the UOAA ostomy forum. Bella made the decision to have a permanent colostomy after months of distressing bowel issues following her rectal cancer resection and takedown. You can do a search of Belle's insightful blog on this forum where she writes on her decision making process and life with her permanent colostomy. I believe her writings are archived on this forum, titled "Colundrum of a permanent colostomy" or something similar. Her writing is a 3 part series and is an eloquent and personal narrative.

Perhaps someone on this forum who is technologically adept can find NWGirl's 3-part blog and provide a direct link?

Belle would love to know that her words and writing continue to help and aide others. The world lost a great person with Belle's passing.

In my opinion, ostomies get a bum rap. There remains significant negative stigma associated with the words "ostomy" "stoma" and "bag." My ostomy has improved my quality of life and I am grateful for it. I honestly find having an ostomy to be preferred to defecating with an intact digestive system and anus. I never have to worry about bathrooms and toilets or whether the activity of my intestine will interfere with my morning or with my day. Once you find an ostomy wafer + pouch that is a good match for your abdomen's topography and for your day-to-day activities and lifestyle, life with an ostomy is pretty good.

With a colostomy, you would also be able to use disposable closed-ended pouches. Simply remove the pouch after a bowel movement, place in a plastic bag, seal, and dispose of in the trash. Closed-ended pouches make colostomy care neat and clean with a minimum of time or effort. You can also look into irrigation. Irrigation allows those with a colostomy to "flush" the lower colon each day of retained feces - minimizing the need to wear a pouch.

Do not be fearful of a permanent ostomy. In my opinion, there is significant up potential to having an ostomy when the alternative is ongoing intestinal distress or social embarrassment/worry of fecal incontinence or fecal accidents.
- Karen -

HI and welcome,

Maybe consider daily enemas. Some people on this board have had great success with it and we do have a few experts on the subject. Type in daily enemas in the search box.

Have you noticed if certain foods contribute to the problem? Cheese will bulk me up faster than anything else.

Me personally, I do have the bag and for me, it was the right decision.

All the best,

Lee

Edited to add, I think MIss Molly has given you some excellent advice. Said it all far better than I did.

MissMolly wrote:... You can do a search of Belle's insightful blog on this forum where she writes on her decision making process and life with her permanent colostomy. I believe her writings are archived on this forum, titled "Colundrum of a permanent colostomy" or something similar. Her writing is a 3 part series and is an eloquent and personal narrative.

Perhaps someone on this forum who is technologically adept can find NWGirl's 3-part blog and provide a direct link?

Belle would love to know that her words and writing continue to help and aide others. The world lost a great person with Belle's passing...

Direct links:

"The Colostomy Conundrum | Part 1" - Belle Piazza, June 2012

"The Colostomy Conundrum | Part 2" - Belle Piazza, June 2012

"The Colostomy Conundrum | Part 3" - Belle Piazza, June 2012
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FYI - The direct link to this current post is here:

https://coloncancersupport.colonclub.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=57535&p=453641&p=453641#p453641

Thank you so much, I re-read and re-read Belle, what a legacy, I was crying and yet hopeful that there is always light.

I have chronic constipation and have gotten so backed up that I finally passed a bm the size of a baseball! A doctor at the walk in clinic paid more attention to my plight than a GP or my onc and had me take Colace (generic). I started with 3 a day until my bm was the consistency of peanut butter and then went to 2 a day for the rest of my life. The only thing that bugs me is that it causes gas that escapes without notice. Thankfully, it's just air and no odor.

It's inexpensive and has given me back hours a day that I spent trying to pass stool. Doctor said it's safe to take daily, just make sure it the stool softener and NOT the laxative.

Ron might jump in. He has extensive kidney and other damage from enemas which led to another med and another and another which has ruined his life.