When did you get yours?

[Grey Kitty]

When did you get your ostomy? How old were you? Is it permanent? Temporary?

- If it was temporary, when was it reversed? When will it be reversed?


I got my ileostomy on March 26th this year - a few months before my 14th birthday. It's most likely permanent unless a miracle happens and they find a cure for Crohn's.

 

[Jeff D.]

May 25th, 2010. I was 21 when I got it, 9 days after my birthday. It's a temporary one that is most likely going to be permanent one of these days.


I'm sorry you had to have an ostomy at such an early age. How are you doing now?

 

[Grey Kitty]

Don't be sorry, it's honestly been the best thing that's ever happened to me.
I was basically trapped in my house since I was 8.. Getting worse as I got older, missing more school than you can imagine.

Since I got my ostomy I feel like a completely different person, and I LOVE it.
Being able to eat almost anything again and actually be able to confidently leave my house after almost 6 years? HEAVEN.

 

[Jeff D.]

I didn't mean it like that. It just stinks when someone needs surgery at such an early age. I'm glad you feeling more normal. I sometimes wished I had the surgery done much earlier so I could of actually lived my teenage years. Take care and God bless

 

[steph38]

I do not have one yet, and still having a hard time with the fact that I will have one next month. It is supposed to be temporary but if it gives me some kind of normalcy after living with Crohn's for 16 years then I may make it temporary. I have heard alot of positive I am just really nervouse, but I am glad to hear that you did well and are comfortable with it...

Good Luck!!!

 

[steph38]

I meant to say I may make it permanant.....

 

[Nyx]

Oscar was born on December 19, 2009 and he's permanent. I was 39 at the time. It's been the best thing that's happened to me. Got my life back

 

[Crohn's Mom]

My Daughter got hers on March 21st of this year.
She had just turned 18 a few weeks before her surgery.
It is temporary and her reversal date is set for December 12, 2011 if all continues to go well
As much as she hated it at first, it has literally given her a life back. She too missed a ton of school; nearly a year and a half.

 

[vonfunk]

Mine was June 21st of this year at the age of 30. It may be permanent. Hard to say at this point.

 

[mussen]

I got mine 29th March this year, Just turned 30. Temporary.
forntunately after 8 1/2 years of thinking it was crohns I was told after the surgery it was U/C. So hopefully my troubles are finally sorted. I hope to have the next surgery early next year.
Feeling so much better since the surgery, it's great.

 

[CDDad]

April 15 of 2010 at 43 years old for me. This was after having Crohn's for about 24 years. Mine is very permanent.

 

[ameslouise]

Grey Kitty - Great positive attitude! Glad your ostomy has been so positive for you.

Bilbo was born on March 15, 2011 when I was 42. He and I will go the grave together.

Love him, he has given me a great life. Just finished a 2400 mile road trip and let me tell you how GREAT it was not clenching my ass and writhing in pain halfway across the country - and mininum bathroom stops!

I still cringe when I read people refering to an ostomy as getting "the dreaded bag." Most of us here with an ostomy have had mostly positive experiences.

Keep on smiling, bag buddies!!

- Ames

 

[Terriernut]

Stan was born 22nd of Dec 2010. I was, erm, old. I was 47 at the time. After the colonscopy I just had...I doubt Stan will be reversed any time soon. In fact, I think further surgery will be needed. Except for my stonking huge hernia, life has been soooooo much better with Stan!

I am sorry you need surgery at your age, but I will say this...Stomas can make life soooo much better, I dont know why I waited and fought it as long as I did!!!

 

[glum chump]

My stoma came to life on May 19, 2011 at the age of 43 after having lived with Crohn's for about 12 years. The stoma is most definitely permanent.

Can't say I'm loving *everything* about it, but not having cramps sure is nice and so I won't dwell on the things I don't care for!

Kismet

 

[Gav]

Hi Everyone.

I got my ileostomy in July 2007, after having UC. I was 31 at the time. It's definitely permanent after the proctectomy they carried out in 2008.

It must have been hard for you, Grey Kitty, to have had such tough surgery at such a young age, but I am very very glad it has meant your life is much much better.

Gav

 

[CrohnsGA]

I do not have one yet, and still having a hard time with the fact that I will have one next month. It is supposed to be temporary but if it gives me some kind of normalcy after living with Crohn's for 16 years then I may make it temporary. I have heard alot of positive I am just really nervouse, but I am glad to hear that you did well and are comfortable with it...

Good Luck!!!

Steph, I am scheduled to get an ileostomy on the 19th of Aug. I was dx w/Crohn's in 1989. It's been a long time coming. Good luck to you!!!!!!!!!!!!! Seems like we will be getting it about the same time.

CrohnsGA

 

[steph38]

CrohnsGA,

Good luck to you as well, I hope it works out for both of us.

Steph38