Ten days ago my wife had a Stoma fitted to hopefully help with a lot of ongoing health issues (its been a hard year for her health wise).
We are getting on reasonably well with the day-to-day workings with the Stoma, all rather new to us.
Any tips, hints, dietary recommendations?
Hi, I have sent you a PM, would be more than happy to offer advice / experience. There is so much you can learn to make this a very manageable and genuinely easy situation.
I sincerely hope that the stoma improves your wife's life, and health.
I can really recommend this Reddit community, incredible amount of information and support here - https://www.reddit.com/r/ostomy/?rdt=43602
Last edited by dustybottoms; 4th December 2024 at 22:08.
Thank you.Originally Posted by dustybottoms
It makes you wonder what the focus of their education is these days.
Indeed.
A few weeks ago while out on a bike I listened to an interview on 5 Live with the comedian Matt Forde, who had part of his spine removed and nw has a stoma. I was really surprised by how positive he was about it - most of the interview wasn't about that but he was really upbeat, even when talking about it specifically.
It's not on BBC Sounds now, just had a look. But there's an interview with him about it here in text form:
https://www.colostomyuk.org/mattforde/
"I can’t believe what a small change it’s been. It doesn’t dominate my mind in the way I thought it would."
and
"Don’t worry. It’s a relatively small change and it will not define you."
That's a very good interview, thanks for sharing.
Hope she's doing ok. I had to live with an ileostomy for a year after my accident. You don't mention where your wife has hers placed but the further down it is the better. Most people with a colostomy can live a full and active life without too much distruption. Mine was frequent and very limiting and to be honest by the time it was reversed I was going under with it. As far as advice is concerned, always use a seal and look after the skin around it. It's difficult to get back if it becomes raw. Diet is important as always, more so now so get into a routine and stick to it. Please send her my best wishes.
'Following this thread with interest - my B-i-L had a colostomy the day before yesterday
Thanks and all the best
JP
This Radio 4 series might be of interest but it's possibly a little too soon after your wife's surgery to 'tune in' herself. Please consider listening yourself and then decide if might be of assistance to your wife.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/m0025492
BW, dunk
"Well they would say that ... wouldn't they!"
I've had one since February (as per this thread). Happy to talk to your other half if it would help - in many ways its life-changing, but in my experience any challenges can be overcome (however hard they may seem at first).
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