Hello everyone, I see there are so many posts this group its rather
exciting. While I am a new colostomate I am not new to being an
ostomate. My name is Ivan I I am 26 and was born in NYC, later moved
to Utah after completing college (BS in EE). I served Eight years in
the US Army and two tours in the Gulf, Operation Desert Spring and
Operation Enduring Freedom. Upon my return I found out I had Muscular
Dystrophy (Bekers). I also found sever trauma was done to the bladder
from constant spasms. I tryed the catheters I tryed the super bubic
catheter but I coudn't stay free of infection for more than a day. I
had a Urostomy last July and I just past my one year anneversary.
Six month later trouble was brewing in my bowel. I've always had
bowel problems, IBD, food intolerances etc. I found out my rectal
sphicter was also damaged from the spasming in from the bladder. The
dammaged tissue formed cancer and one thing led to another I have a
colostomy from the sigmoid. I must be honest, I just don't know how
you folks can handdle cleaning out those drainable pouched. I tryed
it hated it. It was like a toddler trying to eat withought making a
mess. I spilled the pouch, or nocked the whole thing into the toilet,
and O jessse where did I put that tail clip. I wont even tell how I
spilled the irrigation bag everywhere. I praise the closed ended
pouch for its one stop drop. I am sorry to anyone whose insurance
company refuses to pay for them, they really need to spend a day in
our shoes. So, are there any other dual ostomates out there? Any in
my age range? Before I forget, has anyone here expirienced the
occasional gut renching cramps? I seem to have them every other day
or so, my doc is no help is this normal? Thanks for lisitning please
drop me a line sometimes. SIncerly Ivan J.