Hi Liaelena,

I am happy it helped. I really depend on these things.

I also use a Hollister pre cut ( lucky I fit a standard size) drainable bag. 

It seems we are all discharged from hospitals with only enough knowledge to maybe get us through a shaky and scary week or so... this site is awesome!

Hi again Dona.   A few months ago was diagnosed with a small periostomal hernia.  The surgeon could not feel it, until a few weeks ago.  Have some small issues like feeling tagging and pulling mainly at nite which seems to be alleviated wearing the NU-Form support Belt  from NU Hope.  I really dont want another surgery.  One and half year after my iliestomy, had a intestinal blockage and lots and lots of adhesiones .  Am doing well now and using same one piece drainable bag since discharged from rehab in Jan 2016.  So, Dona, what made you have the hernia surgery? My understanding is that unless is really bothersome, better to leave it alone.  My surgeon says the more abominal surgeries more adhesions.  Wish Hospitals will have more knowkedge when patients are discharge, I was given a booklet and some simple instructions.  Cannot thank Eric enough for his personal help navigating this condition and this site,  Sorry Dona, here I go again too long( maybe my excuse is am 78 years “young” and a little  fortgetful .  Would very much hear your reply about the hernia repair and the technique used   Pleasure to met and talk to you Dona    By the way I live in Sunny San Diego, Ca

Liaelena...welcome here...and you do not write long! This is my shortest yet!

Eric...see, it can happen!  

Linda

Hi Liaelenea,

There has been a long discussion about hernias on Vegan Ostomy.  Try reading this thread ( many pages long.. good info):

https://www.veganostomy.ca/community/general-ostomy/hernia-surgery/

Long story short... my illium kept getting stuck outside of my abdominal wall. This leads to going to the ER , throwing up, and a nasal tube. It blocks ALL outflow from the stoma. This is one way to repair that situation.

We should move this discussion to that HERNIA thread ( or it will be even more confusing! ha.)

or maybe Eric can do that ??

Thanks Dona.  Lots of good information.  I think thst I will keep monitoring the hernia.  Right now have output, sometimes , at nite especially, a little hard to expell( watching my carbs!); but  surgeon showed how to massage around the stoma, drink Grape Juice and tried to stay away from my Pretzels.( I started to place a few of them in individual plastic bags, instead of eating from the entire bag, so can controlled the number.  Seemed to work for most part. Last resort is to pulled the pouchb and massage again and again.  Tried to avoid it, if I recently changed my pouch  As I can go for 6 Or 7 days with no issues.  Am nit a tech person, so sometimes having problems navigating this site.  But am getting there, and Eric always helps.

Would like to know how to describe my condition at the end of the page.  Will that description remains for your future emails?  Dont know if am explaining correctly.   Till next time, stay well and happy  liaelena

Hi Liaelena,  I was the same way about not knowing how to describe my situation.  Do you mean the type of surgery and the end result being the ostomy? One thing I did was to write the hospital and request for surgery and medical notes for the duration of your stay. If you do not have the exact dates just ask for from July 2006 sort of thing. You really do not need the exact dates for this. Also ask for results of any tests you had. This give a better understanding to what they did and what they call it.  This is how I found out the exact date f my ileostomy as it was different than I had remembered. Mostly due to so many changes and events in my life at the time.  Pretzels are my  favorite go too for when I need salty in my diet.  About getting around on the site here....If you go to the top of the page, you can see "recent posts" there you can follow the arrows and links to what you would like to read about. I am learning computer also, and I really have a love hate relationship with it. I have found that when I do seem to get lost, I rely on that arrow at the top of the page that lets you go back to where you were. I have also read all the names of members and looked at the storied provided. I would like to add info to mine but am not sure how just yet.  But in reading all the names of people with an ostomy of any sort was somewhat comforting.  It will come eventually.  Also, I have found that if you click on the persons name below there emoticon, you will be taken to the sign up page of there date of entry and sometimes a story to go with it.  You found this site so you doing better than you think! Same with clicking on the information to the right of the page here that has the list of topics going. It is all very helpful information. Eric had great insight in starting this site! We are lucky to have found it. 

Linda 

Hi Linda, I can be pretty confusing sometime.  Clarify:  Emergency iliestomy  due to C diff.         The elective outpatient surgery was a very simple outpatient procedure to correct an A very simple issue in one of my breast from years ago.  Prior to my surgery,  had a round of antibiotics.  Resut:  no problem with surgery. Home same day, had very bad diarrhea,  Ambulance was called.  Went to ER, was diagnosed with colitis due to C diff virus.  Emergency surgery .  Total cholectomy.   And iliestomy.  Culprit:  probably antibiotics and Hospital setting.     This has been 2 1/2 years.  Doing pretty good now.  But on discarge could not accept what happened.  Some therapy and  caring doctors and wonderful son and friends helped.  Is day by day.

Eric was a big part of my improvement.  I have not share this since my surgery, and sometimes I feel ashamed because I see so many brave and wonderful people that had so grave illness and the are facing their predicament so much courage.  So, wonderful people am so happy to be part of this Community.  🙏

Liaelena, Thank you for clarifying.  It is interesting to learn how everyone acquired their ostomy.  Please do not be ashamed of your feelings or  your story. You went through a lot and every day is another day you are dealing with it.  Dealing with it is a good thing. I never talked about mine either until I came to this sight either. Since 2008.  I  must say that Eric sharing his story was alone amazing, and so many others have more to say also. I have suggested to Eric to invite one person a week to tell their story in a two or three part session as needed. Some had little suffering, others so much more. All challenges none the less. Physical is one thing but the emotional side is also there. You do not adjust overnight. It takes time,  you need to take  as much time as you need. Having an ostomy is somewhat of a personal assault on the body. Then that darn brain has to get involved. I had little to no support, as my man was in the process of dieing.  I had not heard of C-diff before this site.  I read up on C-diff now, wow, that is one nasty infection to have and the route to health is on the rough side. We all are in our own way and have come through a battle that has brought us to this wonderful sight so full of well put information and knowledge and self experience. This is good in so many ways! Do not hesitate to ask any questions here. I have one of my own to ask others also tonight.  I will get to that later after I see what Eric videos  may have about it. My son is a pretty good support for me. Lots of rides to the hospital and getting what I need from the drug store.  I have a horrible time vacuuming, so he will do it for me when I can not and I appreciate that so very much. Look at what Barbaras son was able to do for her. Just the fact that he was able to come to her at that time was great. About this site, it is good that we have people like this in our world. Have a nice evening. Sleep well.

Linda