Kling:
22 rectal dilations ! You have endured much . . . I can appreciate why you are considering a permanent colostomy for quality of life reasons.
My dear friend, Bella, wrote about her experience in making the decision to opt for a permanent colostomy on this forum. You can find her narrative archived in this blog section of this forum titled "The Columdrum of deciding on a Colostomy." It is a 3 part essay, a poignant and personal sharing of Bella's decision. A decision that she was glad that she made.
A colostomy is much, much easier to care for than a loop ileostomy (that you may have had previously in your course of treatment). A colostomy is low maintenance care.
The output with a colostomy is semi-formed. Most people with a colostomy have output 1-2 times a day, following a pattern similar to one's bowel movement pattern pre-surgery. Skin care is less problematic as colostomy output does not have the same concentration of caustic digestive enzymes as is found in ileostomy output. Pouching systems include the option of using a disposable, single-use, closed-ended ostomy pouch. After a bowel movement, simply remove the pouch, place it in a plastic bag, secure, and dispose of in the trash.
The Coloplast Mio and CyMed MicroSkin are two fairly new pouching systems that have elastic polymers embedded in the wafer. The result is a pouching system that conforms and moves with the body, discrete in profile, and comfortable.
Feel free to visit the United Ostomy Association of America support forum. Members include individuals with permanent ostomies who offer wisdoms and experiences and a healthy dose of humor to ease the transition to life with an ostomy. There is a good quality of life with an ostomy.
http://www.uoaa.orgNameste,
Karen
Dear friend to Bella Piazza, former Colon Club member (NWGirl).
I have a permanent ileostomy and offer advice on living with an ostomy - in loving remembrance of Bella
I am on Palliative Care for broad endocrine failure + Addison's disease + osteonecrosis of both hips/jaw + immunosuppression. I live a simple life due to frail health.