Vicky has a date!

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vickyoddsocks

vickyoddsocks

wears odd socks
Joined
Apr 23, 2007
Messages
240
Hello all!
Thought i would give you an update.

Since i last wrote ive has some progress. A couple of weeks ago, i had my appointment with the stoma nurse - i must admit, i didnt think it went that great from my point of view. I wasnt told anything i didnt already know (if thats a good or a bad thing?!) and i was literally only in there 10 minutes talking to her. I dont know what i was expecting, but i thought we would have sat down and gone through the surgery and bags etc in detail.
Anyway, she's marked my tummy with an 'X' - and apparently thats where its got to be! I'm a little suprised at how high it is, from what ive seen i thought it would be a bit lower - id like it to be a bit lower (if i figure out how to post a picture ill show you all to ask for opinions)
I also found out last week, that i have my 'pre-assessment' planned for this Wednesday (the 6th), and then my admission will be the follwing Wednesday (the 13th) depending on bed availability. And then the 'big day' for surgery will be Thursday the 14th! Eeek!
So its all real now......really mixed feelings :/ But its time for me, and i had a reminder of that when i went to the loo earlier - looks like i passed out a pollop or something. Lets get this colon out of me! Lol!

Vicky x
 
Yeah! Get that sucker out!

Good luck Vicky! We'll be counting down with you until April 14th!

xo - Ames
 
Wow it is approaching fast! I dont have a clue about stoma and the surgeries but any surgery is nerve racking waiting... and waiting.. Such a great attitude! You go girl!
 
Good luck!!! It must be a sort of relief to finally have a date. Keep us posted...we're all here for you :)
 
So glad you have a date! It's normal to have mixed feelings, but at least you know it's time. I was worried about where my stoma was too. I didn't have much of a choice, because of my appendix scar. It turned out good though. You can always stick a bag on and try it with different clothes.
 
Oh, and by the way I have to tell you this story. Before I had my appointment with the stoma nurse to mark my spot, I told my husband that I better not get a nurse who wears her pants clear up to her armpits. I didn't want someone marking my spot who thinks this is where a person's waistline is. Sure enough, in walked my stoma nurse with her pants pulled up to her armpits. I was scared to death my stoma was going to be sitting underneath my boob.
 
Hi Vicky

Good luck with the surgery - I had an ileostomy about 15 years ago at Hope Hospital in Salford. I have to say that I found the stoma nurse unhelpful both pre and post surgery. I know they have to site the stoma through the abdominal muscle but if you have a query about the intended site of your stoma ask your surgeon. As far as bags go I have found Dansac one piece drainable the best for me. Very best wishes.
 
Vicky....bless you! You must be scared now that you have a date? But relieved as well.

If you're not happy with the placement of the stoma...say so! If it can be changed they will at least try. I'm not happy with mine either, but oh well! It was emergency so that's what I get!

Keep us updated as you can Vicky, we will be worried.

Misty
 
Hi guys,
Thank you all for your replies! :) Starting to plan things now with family visiting etc, and where im going to be staying after im 'released' from hospital so im not on my own.
I have my pre-assessment tomorrow so im going to ask there if i can have a second opinion on my siting of the stoma. Kris- yeah thats exactly what im worried about, having to wear 'mum trousers' for the rest of my life! lol! But having looked at it a bit more, i think its probably in the right place as when i sit down etc its not touching my waist band or anything.
I'll keep you all posted! Thanks again for your support! :)
x
 
picture.php


Hoping this picture works!
 
I couldn't see the picture. :( For sure get a second opinion if it doesn't seem right to you though! Also, check out the "stoma's and clothes" thread. It was comforting to me before I got my stoma, and I put a picture of myself in a swimsuit when I had my stoma. They are easier to cover than you would think!

Also, go to http://www.ostomysecrets.com/ to find wraps and underwear that help to cover ostomys. I really liked the wraps. I had several, but as long as they don't get leaked on (sorry but it happens), you can wear them over and over before washing. The underwear are really ugly, but I bought a few pairs and they did the job. I liked the wraps better because I could still wear pretty undies under them.

Good luck with your surgery!
 
Kris - Hilarious story!

Vicky - can't see the pic, but when you figure it out let me know b/c I had some trouble posting a pic, too.
 
Kris said:
Oh, and by the way I have to tell you this story. Before I had my appointment with the stoma nurse to mark my spot, I told my husband that I better not get a nurse who wears her pants clear up to her armpits. I didn't want someone marking my spot who thinks this is where a person's waistline is. Sure enough, in walked my stoma nurse with her pants pulled up to her armpits. I was scared to death my stoma was going to be sitting underneath my boob.
Click to expand...

That is hilarious, I'm with Amy on that one. Course at my age, that would sit the stoma just right!!! Gravity and all!! :ytongue:

Misty
 
Thanks for the replies again guys! :D
Thats wierd i thought id cracked it, theyre coming up on my screen.....hmmmmm.....i shall keep trying!lol!
Ive had a look on all the websites for clothing and underwear mentioned on here, was impressed by quite a few of them. I'll definately be making a few purchases :D
 
P.s if anyones still interested (hahaha, after all this faffing around) the pictures should be in an album on my profile. Cheers again! X
 
Hello folks
Might be useful to check out jessica grossman site. Do a google search or else look on youtube. Very inspiring.
bw
 
Hi Vicky,
Good luck next week. My surgery was April 15th last year, so April must be a good month for Ileostomies.

When you created your album, did you click the option to make it public?
We're all curious to see your spot! Mine is just above my belt line. I think it suits me. I know some people like it to be below the belt line, but I think there are advantages and disadvantages to both.
 
Ahhhhh maybe that was why they wernt showing, ive made it public now. if you still cant see them - i give up! lol!
After yesterdays pre-assessment i asked to see another stoma nurse and i actually got it re-sited. Its now about 2cm lower and about 1cm more to the right. Im much happier with that, feel i can hide it a bit better :)
Thanmks again for all your replies......1 week to go!
 
I can see the pic! The location in the pic is about where I have mine. I wanted it a little lower, but I have an appendix scar that gets in the way. I think I'm glad I have mine where it is, because any lower and it would hang down my leg. I'm only 5' 4'' tall though.I think the taller a person is the lower they can have it. The stoma nurse tried marking mine below my scar and it was way too low. It would have made me look like I had man parts when the bag filled up. I'm glad you will be feeling great soon!
 
Exactly where my stoma is!

And you can kiss that cute belly button goodbye!!!

PS How did you fix the picture????
 
Yay! Glad its worked! I did as CDdad suggested and changed the album to 'public' on my profile.
Wierdly you cant see my existing scar on these pics, think the light was too poor - I have one already going through my belly button from where i had my right-hemi collectomy 9 years ago! Like i said the stoma is a little lower now, which im much happier about (its about 2cm lower) when we tried one on with clothes i felt it 'fit' into my trousers better a bit lower, and was easier to hide.
When the stoma nurse asked me where id want it, she said......"In an ideal world where would you have it? So i replied "On someone else!" Then i actually said what about right near my groin, as low as possible. Never really thought that when it filled i would look like a man!! HAHA! I imagine i would walk a bit wierd too! lol! I think id rather have it right in the middle of my chest then look like a well endowed transvestite! Hahaha! :D
Ah, the joys of impending surgery!
On a more serious note, im having trouble sleeping, find i tend to shed a few tears everynight. Its when i start to think about everything. I'm getting more accepting of the bag, im just actually scared of the surgery now! When i had my last big surgery i was 16 and had endless optimism, and i didnt really take it all that seriously. However all i remember is being in shock from how much it hurt when i came round. NOT looking forward to that again :( Im a right wimp now! Hmmmmm.
Oh well, i think im going to book myself in for a massage next week as a pre-operative treat! :D That will cheer me up!
x
 
Do these pics show the new location or original? Your pic looks just about where mine is located. And yes, Amy has a point - my belly button is a bit distorted now. But it has more character.
 
Vicky - I think it's only normal to have some/lots of apprehension before a major surgery that is going to change your life. I don't know how you have been feeling lately, but for me, I felt so horrible and was having so many accidents that I was welcoming the bag and the relief it would bring me.

We all go thru some greiving process, both before and after.

Treat yourself to that massage and whatever else gets you thru!

xo - Ames
 
I had tons of anxiety before my surgery. I was having a lot of irrational thoughts about not living through it. My insurance company sent me a relaxation CD to help with the anxiety. It was actualy very helpful. Amy described it perfectly. It feels like a greiving process. I laughed one minute and cried the next. It gets so much better after the surgery though. Hang in there:)
 
HI Vicky- sorry I'm coming in here late.
Just wanting to wish you all the best for your impending surgery. I had bad nerves the night before my surgery but come the morning of it, seemed somehow calmer. I also cried buckets leading up to it, the waterworks would just turn on at the drop of a hat- it's all natural, so just go with it.
Anyhow, good luck, and see you on the 'other side' (the 'sunnier' side)
And x
 
Thanks again guys :)
3 sleeps to go - AAAAAAAAAAAAAARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!
I have a STACK of books. PJ's washed and ironed. Ipod playlist in the making. Hospital slippers at the ready. Trying to get hold of series 1 of '24' on DVD for me and my sister to watch once im released, ive heard its amazing! My mum is getting hold of some sunflower seeds for me to plant (its tradition after surgery! lol) i grow all the seedlings, then re-pot them and give them away to friends and family to plant in thier gardens as i get better - how sad! lol! All my family have holidays booked off work, so im never on my own (i told them not to). So i actually sound like im quite looking forward to it!!

Still have a couple of questions; did you guys have an epidural? I'm sure something was mentioned about this in my pre-assessment. Were you in the HDU after? Also, I'm dreading the stitch up pain - ive had more than my fair share of ass pain after my abcess' so not looking forward to that again. Ive had enough of laying on my side and constantly fidgeting! :( *sighs* Also, immediately after the surgery were you completely 'out of it', or were you fairly aware. Mine was so long ago i cant remember, i mean am i even gonna be 'with it' on friday!? lol!

Oh well. So i think me and the BF are travelling to my mums in Leeds on Tuesday night. Calling the hospital at 11.30am on Wednesday morning to get the a-ok on admission (i tell you what, id be mightly pissed off if it gets delayed anymore!). Then BF and mother are dropping me off (probably staying with me as much as they can on Wednesday, visiting times permitting). Meanwhile my sister is doing a half day at work and travelling to my mums also, then visiting me in the evening. Cue Thursday morning, all i know is the surgery is on Thursday, mum and sister will be coming and keeping me calm! lol! Poor BF has to work :( Then mum and sister will be there when i come round (hopefully).Then the following days i have Dad, brother, step mum, all visiting!! LOL! Gonna be busy!

One more time..... "AAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!" ...............feel a bit better now! :D

x
 
To answer some of your questions:

I didn't have an epidural, and I had open surgery. They just put me on IV Demerol and Gravol after my surgery. I didn't have my rectum removed and sewn up though, so I don't know if that makes a difference or not. When I woke up, I was out of it (not sure if that was because of the anaesthetic or because it was emergency surgery, or a combination of the two) , but alert enough to know who everyone was and where I was. The next day I was pretty alert (and having hallucinations from the drugs...lol). You should be fine...tired, but fine.

I don't know what HDU is...lol. I wound up in ICU 6 days after my surgery, but that was from some blood clots in my lungs that I developed during surgery (ask about that by the way, there are things you can do to prevent that). It wasn't a big deal (they just wanted to monitor my heart and breathing), and the beds in there were much better than on the ward!! Plus, I happened to be there on Christmas day, and the room was private and they let me have all my family with me for the whole day...it was kind of nice.

And by the way, I love your sunflower idea! That's fantastic :)

Good luck with the surgery! The waiting must be the worst part...the recovery will be easy...from the sounds of it, you're going to have lots of support and you won't have to stress yourself too much.
 
Good luck Vicky - try to stay and think positive!

I had an epidural and would recommend that. No pain at all after surgery. But, the epi got a bit bothersome after a few days - just a minor skin irritation from the needle wiggling around back there and the tape not being as secure.

I remember being aware right after the surgery. I started doing much better when I finally left the hospital. I think I was just getting too many of the strong painkillers.
 
Get the epi if they offer it. I didn't think it was doing much, but when they took it out, I realized how much it HAD been doing!

Prepare yourself mentally for the anus stitch up pain. Mine was pretty bad/uncomfortable for about 8-9 days. Then overnight it went away. But I was popping the percocets like Pez for those first couple days I came home!!! Ice packs helped a lot too.

Hope you have plenty of help at home. Get lots of rest afterwards, it's my best advice.

xo - Ames
 

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