Postby eitter » Wed Dec 27, 2006 12:43 am
I have become my own expert about my ostomy. I am not sure how much medical support you all get, but I have found it is very difficult to get here in Arizona. I have home health care, but getting an ostomy specialist is hard and it seems only my surgeon knows about ostomies.
I have made many calls to him about questions, and I suggest you call your doctor, but in case you have trouble getting through here is what I know.
Bleeding from the rectum is normal, only if it is light and not coming out all the time. Also since there is an ostomy and nothing passes through the rectum, do not be surprised to see staples come out, that means the rectum is healing from the resection.
Ostomy bleeding is also normal, in fact I bleed most times I change my wafer, the stoma is very sensitive and while I clean it it will bleed a bit, again if it is bleeding a lot call your doctor.
The stoma is very tough! I had a fall last month and my stomach took the hit. I broke my bag and when I looked at my stoma it was BLEEDING and clotting, I started crying, my mother came over to help me and get me cleaned up, we called the doctor and he got me in ASAP. By the time we got to the offie the bleeding had stopped and I had normal output, I have an ilieostomy. My stoma was brusied and my doctor said that was fine and it would be ok, it is back to normal color now. He also stated that stoma's can take a licking and still be ok.
But if in doubt call your doctor!
Good Luck,
Liz
Arizona