Melvin,

I am John also a 42 year old male. I am being retired from the U.S.
Army due to my colostomy I had in September of this past year. I too
had all the same concerns with little answers. The best thing I can
tell you is DO IT! It takes a little while for the mental
adjustment, however, the freedom is great. No worries on bathroom
stops, no sudden fear of defication, no excuses to friends or love
ones on why you cant go to functions.
The one thing I will say, find out who is the best Doctor for the
task. I had to make visits to the hospital and ask anybody and
everybody before I made my choice. I fought for freedom for 24 yrs,
I now have it but in a different way. Any questions ask, the only
dumb one is the one you don't ask.

Best Regards
John
--- In colostomy@yahoogroups.com, "Melvin <pjm0691@y...>"
<pjm0691@y...> wrote:
> Hi everyone,
> I am a 42 year old male that has had a bad year with Anal
Candaloma.
> I have had 4 operations within the last year to remove the tumors
> (benign - Thank God)that have grown. My surgeon has told me that
he
> really can not do any more surgery, due to control issues and, of
> course, pain. He has suggested that I start thinking about a
> colostomy.
> To tell you the truth - I am extremely scared to have something
this
> drastic done. Does anyone have any words of advise (pro's and
> con's) on me having this done? I want to hear from people that are
> living with a colostomy and I want to hear the bad and the good
> where I can make an informed decision.
> The one "pro" that I have come up with is:
> I can hardly walk anywhere any more, because I am afraid that I am
> going to have to go to the rest room (and I have very little
> warning). I WAS a very active person, who enjoys the street
> festivals in Houston and going places with friends, I can not do
> these things any longer due to needing to stay close to a rest room.
> Of course - the pain of all of this is quite great, so to get out
of
> the pain would be another "pro".
> Please let me know if you have any words of wisdom. Like I said -
I
> would like to make an educated decision on this.
> Thank you all very much for reading. I have prayed, cried, cursed,
> screamed and then decided to try to talk to people who have had
this
> done.