Hi, I am new here. Have been member of osteomates online uoaa webstie since 3 months into my journey. wasn't aware this was here, i wish i had know. .
i was 29 last october when i woke up with an bag and staples. had never heard of an ostomy.
This has been a year of change, last summer i had some rectal bleeding, always was tired, lost weight(on weight watchers thought) thought it was from birth of my son 3-1/2 years prior, i had felt that way all along, and the symptoms weren't adding up.
i was treated all summer for ibs,stress, just "cramps" ect.
in september the pain was unbearable, my parents divorcing and my brothers wedding seemed the culpret.
3 days in october before my brothers wedding, i ended up in the er 3-4 times, they finally did an xray and saw a blockage. .i missed the wedding
(i was maid of honor) and had a 9 day hospital stay...
the tumor completely blocked my colon, they removed 4 inches and put in colostomy.
i went thru 51/2 months of chemo dec. through may. it was the longest 5 months of my life.
my family and church were very supportive, and prayed me throught it all.
my husband has been wonderful through this and i still can't believe what has happened
august 8th they reversed my ostomy (frankie, was his name)
i'm sitting here steri-stripped together, almost healed up, not quite normal. i think in about a month i'll be good.
learning to use the loo again.
what a long strange trip this has been
i wish i knew about this before. the youth discussion group on uoaa. has been wonderful gettting me throught the ostomy part.
the chemo and realizing of cancer i would still like to discuss.
i'm glad i found this.
how can i get the word out you don't have to be "old" to have colon cancer.
been thinking about it since this started.
thanks for letting me rant!!!!