Posted 8/19/2022 8:19 PM (GMT -5)
It's sad to see, as despite my anger at having a stoma, this board was a huge help to me in the past. Ironically enough, after a reversal lasting for seven years, I've decided to go back to an ileostomy - for life this time. I'll be having my rectum removed so no chance of another reversal. But I'm okay with that. To be honest, there were many advantages to having a stoma that I didn't appreciate at the time. The only thing I'm rather dreading is the hospital stay itself and the time it takes for everything to completely heal and adapt. For example, I eventually got to the point of being able to sleep through the whole night without needing to get up to empty the bag, but it did take about a year if memory serves.
Just wish forums hadn't died out. Creepy Facebook is not an acceptable substitute. I'll look for other ostomy communities but without much expectation of success - people don't seem to form personal communities the way they did pre social media.
Meanwhile if anyone does need help with anything ostomy related, I will help if I can.