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Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

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Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

General health

Anybody know much about stoma care, after bowel surgery?

103 replies

triplets · 28/04/2008 09:17

Hi,
My Dh is coming home today after his big op, trying to trawl thru the net mainly looking for more info on diet for him, seems abit confusing, just wonder if anyone can help lease?

OP posts:

Report

bellavita · 30/04/2008 09:58

Mashed potato and rice help to thicken as do bananas, stewed apple is also supposed to be good.

It will take time for his output to settle down believe me. We had a fair few accidents with DH's bag - especially in the middle of the night when he had found he had leaked. I remember once he was mowing the garden and his bag came off, he literally had to get into the shower fully clothed as he was in a right mess. The way we got through it was laughing about it and trying to see the funny side.

More importantly, how are you feeling? I think we tend to get overlooked, sometimes we need support as well.

triplets · 30/04/2008 10:16

Hello Bellavita, so good to get all this info when everything is so new, I think we are still in shock really, its not sunk in. Oh must fly Dh is up and sounds not good.

OP posts:

shabster · 30/04/2008 10:25

I am so pleased that you ladies can help Triplets. I can help her with the sense of humour (bordering on manic) I can usually make her laugh at the very worst of times.

So pleased that there are families that are ahead of Trips in her journey so she can get support from people who know what they are talking about.

Now can any of you help me in my quest to make Mr Robbie Williams my boyfriend??? No...oh well thats another thread in itself

bellavita · 30/04/2008 10:30

Shabster - if only............

Triplets - I have to go to work shortly and will not be back until 3.45. Would you like me to CAT you with our telephone number?

bellavita · 30/04/2008 10:37

my msn is [email protected]

marina · 30/04/2008 10:46

Good to see you and Harry getting loads of informative support on here triplets
I can't really help except to say am thinking of you all, and sending you love XXX

shouldbeworking · 30/04/2008 14:43

Triplets..My dh was fortunate that his tumour was caught early so it hadn't spread and he had no secondaries. After repeatedly asking me if I thought there was blood in his poo I am ashamed to say I blew my top and told him that if he showed me his poo one more time without going to dr I would strangle him...He went thank goodness. He was referred for a colonoscopy followed by a ct and mri scan which confirmed the tumour (we have even seen a photo of the little b) He had a 7 day course of radiotherapy followed by surgery 2 weeks later. The tumour was confined to the bowel...just.. so he didn't need chemo. The tumour was very close to his rectum so there had been the possibility that they wouldn't be able to rejoin his bowel and he would have had a permanent colostomy. Fortunately this was not the case.
It is now 2 years since the tumour was removed and he has just had his 2nd clear scan. The only blot on the horizon at the moment is he has two hernias either side of the incision scar on his tummy. These will need to be repaired but his surgeon wants to wait until next year when he will be 3 years post surgery and the chance of recurrance will be much less. So he has to wear a supportive belt and is excused from any heavy lifting which he tells me includes the hoover, law mower, hedge trimmers etc.!!!!!

I'm hoping that your dh's treatment goes well and that your whole family will come through this. Don't forget you too. This is tough on the partner as well as the patient. One of the nicest things for me was when dh's work collegues turned up with a big bunch of flowers for me, flowers for mil, and easter eggs for the dcs

shouldbeworking · 30/04/2008 14:45

bellavita I wish I had known you 2 years ago. Your dh sounds a true fountain of knowledge.

shouldbeworking · 30/04/2008 14:48

Shabster ....I once met Robbie Williams' dad in Tesco....not sure that's really gonna help you in your quest to be honest

bellavita · 30/04/2008 15:10

shouldbe - DH also had a hernia to the side of the scar to his first op. He had it fixed, but it is only literally now being held in just by the gauze.

I have told him to go and get it redone - but tbh he has been through so much, he would rather put up with it than have another hospital visit.

shouldbeworking · 30/04/2008 16:05

Surgeon told my dh that if he was older they might not have repaired the hernias but because he is only in his 40s they will. He was told about 2 ways of them being repaired which I now can't remember the difference but how was your dh's done? I can see why he's not keen on further surgery....my dh now has a complete aversion to hospitals which is why he wasn't keen on me having sterilisation op. I think he was secretly relieved when surgeon wanted to wait.

shabster · 30/04/2008 16:17

shouldbe - Robbie Williams' dad well, I suppose it is a very good start.

The Robmeister just needs the love of a much older, much shorter woman [hands up emoticon]

shouldbeworking · 30/04/2008 18:04

lol

bellavita · 30/04/2008 18:42

Hey thats so spooky - DH does not want a vasectomy for that very reason and it has taken a bit of persuading for me to be sterilised. I have just got my referral appointment through for the 5th June.

DH's hernia was repaired with mesh.

triplets · 30/04/2008 22:35

Hi,
Going mad here, Dh is asleep and the two boys are still talking up there, never a minutes peace, thank god for Rebecca. Gp came out at lunchtime and thinks he is doing ok, but left him a prescription for more anti sickness pills and Resolve drinks as he can`t eat. He looks so fed up, wish I could do something for him,

OP posts:

bellavita · 01/05/2008 07:33

triplets, it will take time.

I had an extra shift at work last night, but DH had MN up on this thread in case you came back so he could talk to you, but when I came in at midnight he was fast asleep on the settee and laptop was closed down, so he missed your last post.

I know he feels sick, but is this because maybe he could be hungry, but is a little frightened to eat because he wonders what it is going to be like coming through the stoma into the bag and until he does eat, it will be liquid?

I wont be on much during today as DS1 has hospital appointment after breaking his arm last week and then I have got to go to work. Will be back on around 4.00pm.

Hope you and DH have a good day.

triplets · 01/05/2008 21:52

Hi,
My first chance to get on here and can hardly keep my eyes open, two boys still talking and Harry fast asleep. Got the prescription for him today, he has slept on and off for most of the day, still says he is feeling sick, but he hasn`t been since Mon morning. I made some homemade chicken soup, with a little bit of tiny pasta in it, no veg and was pleased to see him have a tiny bowl tonight and said he could taste it and seemed to enjoy something hot. The stoma nurse is coming in the morning to see him, hoping that will reassure him a bit. As you say it is going to take time, so glad of your support as this is all so new to me!

OP posts:

shabster · 01/05/2008 22:00

Trips - I found you - just sending love and thoughts from my house to yours

shouldbeworking · 01/05/2008 22:02

My Dh took about 4 weeks to really get his appetite back..and he lost about 2 1/2 stone in that time. Soups were good and dh found rice based meals easier too.
Glad he's managed to eat a little today and I hope everything goes ok with the nurse tomorrow.

bellavita · 01/05/2008 22:21

That sounds promising triplets.

Perhaps you could ask the Stoma Nurse about your local IA Support Group.

DH is the treasurer of the York IA, when he has quarterly meetings with other committee members of the IA, they try and do the meeting in different parts of the country each time so that they can coincide it with a night out with the local members (and some not so local).

As I said to you earlier, we are always happy to help.

triplets · 01/05/2008 22:32

Thanks Bellavista,
What might be nice is if when your Dh has time he could perhaps send Harry an e-mail, I think he would respond to that, male to male. [email protected] Harry has never been one for lots of male friends, he is very private really and not a great talker, unlike me!

OP posts:

bellavita · 01/05/2008 22:37

Hey - DH was never a great talker - but believe me when he gets with his IA cronies he never shuts up .

I will pass on the e-mail address.

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triplets · 01/05/2008 22:42

Thank you, better find my bed, another busy day looms in the Peace camp! Night night.

OP posts:

bellavita · 01/05/2008 22:42

Night to you too.

onlyjoking9329 · 02/05/2008 15:38

How are things triplets?
we are thinking of you all.

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