Mostly a question for your physician, and as a male, I have a couple of reasons why I'll hang on to mine. Yes, it does output mucous far more than I'd  like, even after 8 years. It does also get swollen sometimes but I find an over the counter NSAID takes care of it. Yes, having lost most of my colon to cancer, the possibility of cancer recurring in that location is always there, so regular screenings are important.

Maybe you could ho for a second opinion. Did you ask why it would be high risk for you? 

@chelly Did you mean to ask for a 2nd opinion why I can't have the stump removed or to ask why it is such a cancer risk? Thank you for writing.

@goatherder Thank you very much for writing - It is encouraging to hear that you have gone 8 years without having signs of CA. How often do you have a scope? The Dr who scoped recently said it was so inflamed throughout that she just had to guess about where to biopsy - she was of course looking for any cellular changes but that was not possible.

Hi Carolyn, Thinking of you. I have had colorectal cancer and my lower colon and rectum were removed. My situation is not the same as yours, but I send you all best wishes. LL

@llholiday Thank you very much for writing and caring. I guess it will just be an on-going issue.

@carolynreinhart hi, yes I was wondering why it would be risk to take it out.

@chelly Thanks again for asking - I am now 81. In 2106 I had the ileostomy - while in hosp had a code blue gastric hemorrhage which they didn't think they could save me since they couldn't find a vein - so I nearly died - then they had to operate immediately. I was in hosp for 5 weeks since my Hemoglobin kept going down instead of up even with lots of transfusions. etc Then after discharge I had 9 blockages about 1 a month - rushed to hosp by ambulance and ultimately after so many ultrasounds and CT scans they thought they saw a "twist". I was sent to another surgeon and hosp and had a parastomal repair which had developed as well and she found 13 cm of necrotic bowel to remove and put mesh in the abd. Then immediately after that I had ileus so I had tubes down and suction machine since my bowel wasn't working  - 2 weeks in hosp and IV feed etc and then 3 in rehab. Now no one wants to operate on me anymore. Now they say I am comorbid.

@carolynreinhart hi, ah yes I can understand with all that had happened and your age. I often wonder why they leave the stump as do many have such painful issues with it. In fact I had a total proctocolectomy done and before the surgery I asked if that thing was going to be removed because I saw online so many having issues with it. I like you had ileus after that surgery and was in for 30 days on TPN and the nasogastric tube. ( not fun) . I  came home on TPN and a feeding tube bag to let out the gunk from the lieus at that time the feeding tube thing was an experimental stages but it worked for me. 
have you asked your colorectal surgeon what can be done for this stump? Any treatments at all? I feel sad for you that you have to have continuing problems and I hope you can find something that can work for you.

I meant to ask, what kind of symptoms are you getting with this stump? I’m just being curious as that’s my nature. 

@chelly Thank you for your concern and being engaged with me about my situation. It helps to talk about it with others who understand. I do belong to a local Ostomy Group but we are all in different situations so people don't really understand each other's realities. I have a consultant colo-rectal (Head of Gastrology)  surgeon in a larger hospital 100 miles away whom I saw annually until covid. He would consult with my local (small town) gastroenterologist at my instance, since he wasn't very pleased that I had a 2nd opinion. He told eventually told me to have the ileostomy done and I would be cured of UC which I have had since I was 20 +. I have had ALL the known drugs and treatments in the UK for 30 years and here for 15 yrs. It started as proctitis for many years which didn't respond to local treatment - ie suppositories, foam, various enemas, oral drugs, antibiotics etc. My last suppository treatment from him was Pentasa supp which I was on for several years and had to take liberally as I made my move back to Canada - ie waiting for 3 mo for OHIP. I was allergic to it - skin rashes and extreme itching - no dermatologists whom I saw there and here could diagnose it - Finally my GP here sent me to another dermotologist who took a biopsy and said "drug reaction". I went off the Pentasa and bingo - better! but then I had to go onto biologics since by then the proctitis had spread up 13 cm and ultimately beyond. I had Remicade for 4 years and reacted to it - having to travel to Toronto to respirologists who did every conceivable test and finally diagnosed - allergy to Remicade infusions. So, I had another type and reacted and then another one which nearly killed me. I have lived on steroids for a great part of my life and have the usual consequences. The Consultant here recommended steroid supp compound which made a real mess and bleeding - of my rectum. He is the one who is now recommending Pentasa to my local surgeon. He doesn't know my previous history with it. My Gastrointerologist dismissed me 3 years ago since rectum was so inflammed and said to wait until I get palliative. So I got my GP to find me a surgeon who would be willing to do a scope which she kindly does. Two months ago she did my annual one - said it was much worse so rang the Consultant who suggested Pentasa for the rest of my life - one side effect I read then was not to take it if you have compromised kidneys which I now have. My GP said I could take it only if I had a weekly blood test (for the rest of my life) ie 2 weeks ago. So far,  I have declined - and a homeopath suggested VIT E suppositories which are helpful with inflammation. I took them for a while a few years ago and thought they helped - but one can't see inside. My idea now is to start them if my GP will support me and get back in touch with the surgeon and consultant. The other thing he suggested years ago was rectal enemas ie once a week for 8 weeks which would mean travelling that 100 miles. Also some of my rectum has shrunk. Thanks so much for "reading".

@chelly thanks for being curious - I am that kind of person too or I probably would be dead by now. It does vary - sometimes a pale discharge, sometimes blood, sometimes mucous stuff. I have been off lactose and gluten for years and for the small bowel I don't eat anything spicy or irritating. As you would know that diet if very limiting. I have tried probiotics but that made it worse. If I am stressed it can increase the discharge. Sometimes I have to wear a pad but not always.

Are you in the UK now or Canada? If you are in Canada you may want to make a trip to the USA to Cleveland Clinic Foundation for a consult as they are at the forefront of modern medicine and newest treatments. Kings from Saudi Arabia fly over here for care. 
I guess I’m lucky to live right here in the same city. Toronto is not that far. 
uou know, I just came back to edit to add that this reminds me of what went in with me before my big surgery. I used to writher in  pain with rectal spasms and extreme constipation. I can remember laying in bed praying to God to make it go away but then after my temporary ileostomy i thought I’d be cured of that but no!! My colon and rectum  were still there and I was producing mucous balls instead of hard poop and was now constipated with those and sometimes just runny mucous and I was furious because I still had pain so that is why after 2 years of the temporary I went for the total proctolectomy. 
it was real strange with me though because they did a scope when I still had my colon and I had zillions if hardened mucous balls and they had to abort the scope. I had a slowed ruined colon. I’m glad your GP is helping you out , you do have that going for you. 

@chelly thank you for writing again - I do live in Canada - I have looked up the Cleveland Clinic in Toronto. i live about 100 miles from there. I have searched for rectal issues and treatment and also dietary considerations. I am gluten free, lactose free and avoid any acidic foods or drinks. I will look more at their site tomorrow. Thank you for the recommendation

Hi, I think if you were to see a colorectal surgeon about available treatments you would have to travel to Ohio, USA which is right across the Lake Erie from Toronto. Im not sure if that would be feasible for you.