2007-03-22 19:13:49 · 14 answers · asked by walk f 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Cancer
No many people have a colostomy and lead perfectly normal lives.
2007-03-22 19:18:50 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Colostomy
A Patient's Perspective By Craig J. M.
* A Few Words About The Author
* What Is A Colostomy
* The Operation
* Recovery
* So You Made It Home
* How To Deal With Your Colostomy Bag
* Straight Talk About Daily Life And Events
* What About A Colostomy Reversal
NOTICE
I am not a doctor and the information that follows is not intended as medical advice. It is written to give you an idea of how I survived my operation and some of the things I found helpful along the way. All medical advice should be obtained from your doctor. If you have questions about any of this information, ask your doctor. Your doctor is your source of medical advice and his/her directions should always be followed above anything else.
A Few Words About The Author
I had been experiencing acute pain for several days prior to entering the hospital, but I ignored the pain until it had built up to where I was rolled up in bed with severe cramps and couldn't move. This was my biggest mistake. I should have seen a doctor several days earlier and possibly my fate would have been different.
On October 3, 1995 I entered the hospital with an acute case of perforated diverticulitis, and peritonitis. The peritonitis, a severe infection in the abdomen, was trying to destroy my organs. As a result of this I ended up having a colostomy.
On January 2, 1996 I returned to the hospital to have the colostomy reversed. I was sent home for recovery on January 7, 1996.
On January 14, 1996 I was back in the hospital with complications due to the re-attachment of the colon failing, and again I had abdominal infection. I was put under close watch and given antibiotics until January 17, 1996 when the reversal had completely failed and I again had peritonitis. Another colostomy was done and a longer time was prescribed to allow the tissue to heal before we would attempt another reversal.
On September 3, 1996 I again returned to the hospital to have a reversal done. This time everything went as it was supposed to and I am well on the road to resuming my life as I knew it before all this started.
It is important to note that during my procedures I had some of the best doctors and specialists available. Sometimes when you are told that there is a 5% chance of failure there is a real chance that it may happen to you, but you can't let that stop you. I feel good that I had doctors that cared and were willing to share information with me openly. This is not always the case so you must insist on being informed. It is only through being informed that you can make responsible decisions and have the facts you need to have a successful, speedy recovery.
To sum it all up, I have been there, and, I have done that!
I am writing this in hopes that my experiences will help someone else get through similar experiences without the uncertainty that comes from not knowing what to expect. Who better to tell you what to expect than someone who has been through this them self.
2007-03-23 08:14:55 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Colostomies are viewed negatively due to the misconception that it is difficult to hide the smell of feces and the pouch and even keeping it securely attached. However, modern colostomy pouches are well-designed, odor-proof, and allow stoma patients to continue normal activities. Latex-free tape is available for assuring a secure attachment.
Colostomates with ostomies of the sigmoid or descending colon might have the option of irrigation. This procedure allows for the person to not wear a pouch, but rather just a gauze cap over the stoma. By irrigating, a catheter is placed inside the stoma, and flushed with water, this allows the feces to come out of the body into an irrigation sleeve. Most colostomates irrigate once a day or every other day, though this depends on the person, their food intake, and their health.
Placement of the stoma on the abdomen can occur at any location along the colon, the majority being on the lower left side near or in the sigmoid colon, other locations include; the ascending, transverse, and descending sections of the colon. Colostomy surgery that can be planned ahead often has a higher rate of long-term success and satisfaction than those done in emergency surgery
2007-03-22 19:21:44 · answer #3 · answered by vibs 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No. Colostomy cannot be labelled as dangerous thing. It is rather a method to avoid lifethreatening consequnces of many clinical conditions like trauma to rectum or imperforate anus, acute large bowel obstruction. Colostomy can be temporary measure or a permanent one , depending on reason for which it is been done. If managed well colostomy life can be as nearly normal as desired. One should face the reality and solutions crop up for every problem. There are many ostomy clinics which help in this regard. Colostomy is NOT dangerous if one approaches the problem with strong will one will have near normal life with it.
2007-03-22 19:33:39 · answer #4 · answered by shriniwasdeshpande 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Colostomy is not dangerous in any way. It is inconvenient and a person who has had a colostomy has to learn to live with it. a colostomy can also be closed but this requires another operation.
2007-03-24 06:09:38 · answer #5 · answered by Sekhar 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Potential complications of colostomy surgery include:
excessive bleeding
surgical wound infection
thrombophlebitis (inflammation and blood clot to veins in the legs)
pneumonia
pulmonary embolism (blood clot or air bubble in the lungs' blood supply)
Psychological complications may result from colostomy surgery because of the fear of the perceived social stigma attached to wearing a colostomy bag. Patients may also be depressed and have feelings of low self-worth because of the change in their lifestyle and their appearance. Some patients may feel ugly and sexually unattractive and may worry that their spouse or significant other will no longer find them appealing. Counseling and education regarding surgery and the inherent lifestyle changes are often necessary.
2007-03-22 19:18:55 · answer #6 · answered by Untouchable 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most major surgery carries with it risks of bleeding, infection and so forth. If you need a colostomy you can carry on and lead a normal life without detection.
2007-03-22 19:24:27 · answer #7 · answered by friendly face 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I agree with shriniwasdeshpande. Colostomy is better what it is worried for
2007-03-22 19:50:34 · answer #8 · answered by not n 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with Untouchable's answer, but I'd like to add something:
Every surgery is potentially dangerous, but the patient's attitude makes a lot of difference.
If you have cancer, or if someone you love does, think of it as a 'winning challenge'. Think of a chess game: you sacrifice a pawn to win the game.
In life, sometimes you sacrifice an organ to save the body. I have done this by giving up my left kidney and spleen, following a near-fatal auto accident. I live without these body parts quite well, and I keep a positive outlook on "I can" vs. "I lost".
"Ring the bell that's still to ring" - (lyrics from a Leonard Cohen song "Anthem").
Don't concentrate on the fear of the potential danger. Concentrate on being able to go on and LIVE!
2007-03-22 19:26:10 · answer #9 · answered by flywho 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
no not at all, as long that you should know how to take care your colostomy, know also some limitations...but overall you can still enjoy your life.good luck
2007-03-22 22:50:04 · answer #10 · answered by A.G 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋