Hi Jenn: I am a senior guy, having had my colostomy 12 years ago. I don't know
how much I can help you about your mom's situation, but I just felt like
commenting a little. Wow! Removing 17 feet of the small intestine sounds very
drastic, unless the doctor determined from a colonoscopy-(a fiber optic
snake-like, flexible inspection tube that is viewed on a connected video screen
will inspect the entire intestinal system)- that that particular section was
cancerous and had to be removed. I've never heard of such a case. Having to
wear a collection pouch might sound inconvenient, but, like in my case it was
the only solution to continue living. I do have to make another positive
statement: as long as no kinking occurs with the intestine, No constipation
will occur. I wear a 2-piece drainable pouching system, and, if I don't have
diarrhea, I'll empty it once or twice per day, and will change/replace the
system every 6-8 days. That "wear" time varies from one person to anothe
r, depending upon what specific type of ostomy operation he/she had.
...............You can get a lot of applicable help at a local United Ostomy
Association support group, which usually meets once/month. Through them or on
your own you can get a lot of info from a quarterly magazine called the UO
Quarterly, which deals ONLY with ostomy-related topics and applicable ads.
............. If you want to "talk" with me personally, please let me have your
e-mail address. ..........Ken B.