Hi, sorry to hear your news. I wanted to let you know that there is sometimes light at the end of the tunnel.

I was diagnosed with rectal cancer in Jan 2012. Had my rectum removed and temp illeostomy, 6 months chemo, then reversal of illeostomy. My cancer did spread to a couple of lymph nodes, but chemo sorted that out. I was always determined to get well as i had my children to look after and see grow up, i was 42 when diagnosed. It was a mountain to climb, but you can get through it..I still suffer withpost operation bowel problems but i manage as best as a can. I wish you strength and a positive mental attitude to come through this. Any further help or questions i will try to answer. Be brave x

Thank you for taking your time to read this  much appreciated  I'm so glad you are on the  mend  it's a scary  journey  may l ask  how  did you  find  having a  temporary  stoma  this is  what  I  think  my  partner  is  going to  find  hard  l want to  support  him and  help  him  101% anything l can  do to  make  life  so  much  more  comfortable  for him  will  help  once again  many  thanks  xx

Hi Lindyloo,

The first week of having the stoma was the most difficult. I didn't want to engage with it at all. The nurses 

 cleaned and changed the bag for me. I realised  i had to come to terms with it and from then , i got on with it myself. After trying a  few different bags and barrier rings , i found what worked for me. There was some white powder i used which stopped me getting sore around the stoma, i don't have the name but the stoma nurse at the hospital can give you some. A couple of times i had a leak, at night, this was a drag and i did take to sleeping with a towel under me. The chemo made the output from the stoma very watery and i found i could not lie down flat at night because of leakage. I would put lots of pillows at the back of me and just sleep a bit more upright. Also, I was given a white elasticated belt which helped support  the bag,which made it more comfortable. I had it for 9 months, to be honest there are times when i wished i could of kept the bag, i have other ongoing bowel problems now, but the hospital feel it should be a last resort to go back to a stoma. Certain food obviously create alot of wind and the bag will fill up with this, but you just release it. The stoma will make it,s own noises , which you can't control but it was'nt too bad. I think your partner should hopefully quickly adapt and the hospital stoma nurses are excellent and there to help. I hope this is not too scary ,i have just tried to be honest about how it was for me. It's just part of the process towards recovery that is needed. If you need any further advice i will try to help. I wish you the best......x